Posted by Greter Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Bill Bradley

Cancer can be beaten if the community pulls together to help fight it, said supporters of the Canadian Cancer Society at a recent breakfast held at the Copper Cliff Club.

Vale Inco made a $15,000 donation to the Canadian Cancer Society for a program that encourages people to donate to those willing to get their heads shaved in public for the cause.

Every year, the company is involved with supporting the cancer fighting group, said Gordon Tait, chair of the Vale Inco Shines project and protection services officer with the company. He has been involved with the event since its first year.

"This event has been going on  for four years. We have a range of participants from the company and the community, including contractors who come out to shave their heads for prostrate cancer," said Tait.

Each year, 75 to 100 people turn out for the fundraiser. The company donates to the cause and helps to promote the event through media conferences, posters, as well as t-shirts and hats for the participants, said Tait.

Last year, about $65,000 was raised. In past years, the total varied between $75,000 and $85,000, he noted. One lady raised $500 on her own.

Parker Camirand, 11, knows just how deadly the disease is. He is the son of Patti Camirand, an accounts payable clerk at Vale Inco.

Like his father, Sean, the Grade 6 student is a big fan of the Montreal Canadiens.

But tragedy struck when Parker was only seven years old. He lost his father, who was only 39 years old, to cancer.
In memory of his dad, on April 18 Parker plans to donate the money from the pledges he is collecting to the Canadian Cancer Society.

He plans on having his head shaved along with many others who recognize the desperate need to find a cure for cancer.

For more information contact Vale Inco or the Canadian Cancer Society, Sudbury office, at 670-1234, visit the office at 1780 Regent Street South or e-mail sudbury@ontario.cancer.ca .