Labrador Carver Raises $8,100 for Cancer Support with Whalebone Art

A whalebone carving created by John Neville, a carver and musician from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, raised $8,100 for cancer support during the holiday season. The carving was donated to the Canadian Cancer Society and sold at the recent Festival of Trees Gala in St. John’s. The funds will assist Daffodil Place, which provides accommodation for cancer patients and their caregivers traveling to the city for treatment.

Neville’s decision to donate stems from his personal experience with cancer. Over 30 years ago, he lost his brother to leukemia and vividly remembers the moment he learned of the diagnosis. “He called me and he said, ‘John, one day, I’m going to tell you I’m not going home, not the way you’d like to see me,’” Neville recalled. This moment left a profound impact on him and inspired his commitment to honor his brother’s memory. “I always said that I was going to do something in remembrance of him. And I’m really proud of myself for what I’ve done,” he added.

Throughout his life, Neville faced challenges, including struggles with alcohol. It was his brother who encouraged him to pursue sobriety. “He said, ‘John, I want you to make me promise, I want you to give up drinking,'” Neville shared. Following his brother’s death, Neville immersed himself in carving. “The carving is what turned my world around,” he said. He now finds fulfillment and purpose in his craft, stating, “I got no desire to be around alcohol or have anything to do with that. No more.”

While this particular carving is made from whalebone, Neville works with various materials, including granite and labradorite. His donation at the Festival of Trees Gala is not his first foray into charitable giving. He has previously contributed his art to causes related to heart disease and cancer. “It’s a wonderful life to know how to carve,” he remarked. “You got nothing on your mind. You’re out there for 16 or 17 hours, the dust is flying crazy over your head and you don’t care about nothing.”

The spirit of generosity is a lesson Neville attributes to his mother, who was known for making boots for those in need without asking for payment. “When people would come to get them boots, she wouldn’t take one five cents from them. She’d say, ‘As long as you keep your feet warm, that’ll do my heart good,’” he said, reflecting on his upbringing.

Looking ahead, Neville hopes to continue donating his carvings to the Canadian Cancer Society. “I got my foot in the door there now, so I’ll be doing it for the rest of it,” he said, revealing plans for future projects. “God bless everybody in the whole world, and anyone that got cancer — bless them 100 times over.”

His dedication to his craft and the community exemplifies how art can not only provide personal healing but also support those in need. As the holiday season unfolds, Neville’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the impact one individual can have through kindness and creativity.