SAULT STE. MARIE -- Using the hashtag #Algomagoesgrey, Saultities and residents in Algoma are wearing grey today in support of brain tumour awareness.

The initiative was started by Kyleigh Provenzano. The 30-year-old mother of three children and wife of Sault Mayor Christian Provenzano was diagnosed with a brain tumour last fall.

She said after feeling sorry for herself for a couple of a weeks, she knew she had to set a good example for her daughters.

“If my kids are faced with a challenge, they need to know that they need to face it head on,” said Provenzano. “So I just want them to know (and) to see how strong I am.”

A May 2 walk in Sault Ste. Marie for brain tumour awareness month was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So Provezano, along with her friend and brain tumour survivor, Shaylan Spruway, started the campaign.

“We picked May 27 because … 27 Canadians will hear that they have a brain tumour every day," she said. “We just wanted to come together on social media, come together virtually, and all use the #AlgomaGoesGreat.

"And I’ve been telling people that we’re all in this together -- nobody fights it alone.”

On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, many local community leaders and residents are wearing grey today and posting pictures online supporting brain tumour survivors.

Provenzano said when she was diagnosed, she had a hard time finding local support. So she is asking those who are currently battling a brain tumour to not be afraid to reach out to others going through the same situation.

She said she plans on starting up a local support group once the pandemic is over.