Posted by Sudbury Northern Life
Cancer can be beaten if the community pulls together to help fight it, said supporters of the Canadian Cancer Society at a breakfast at the Copper Cliff Club Friday.
Vale Inco made a $15,000 donation to the Canadian Cancer Society for a program that encourages people to donate to those who are willing to get their heads shaved in public.
Every year, the company is involved with supporting the cancer fighting group, said Gordon Tait, chair of Vale Inco Shines project and protection services officer with the company. He has been involved with the event since the first year at the New Sudbury Shopping Centre mall.
"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 events, posters as well as tee shirts and hats for the participants, said Tait.
Last year, approximately $65,000 was raised. In past years, the total varied between $75,000 and $85,000, he noted. One lady raised $500, he said.
Cancer is a deadly disease.
Parker Camirand, 11, is the son of Patti Camirand, an accounts payable clerk at Vale Inco. He is a grade six student at Algonquin Road Public School and plays with his Pee Wee hockey team, the Sudbury Wolverines.
Like his father, Sean, he is a big fan of the Montreal Canadians. But tragedy struck his dad when Parker was only seven years old. Sean was only 39 years old at the time when he lost his dad 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 .
