Miners for Cancer donate $50K to pediatric oncology unit

Members of Miners for Cancer announced a $50,000 donation for the Northeast Cancer Centre’s (NECC) Pediatric Oncology Unit Jan. 23.

The donation will go towards computer monitoring stations and portable blood pressure instruments for the pediatric unit’s current treatment rooms along with an upgraded gaming system (PlayStation 4), additional games and DVDs for the rooms as well.

A large portion of the funds will also go towards the construction/equipment of a brand new treatment room scheduled to begin later this year.

“This donation represents a significant amount of money that we can use to upgrade our clinic area,” said Vicky Wilton, NECC Pediatric Oncology Interlink Nurse, in a press release.

“The new equipment and computers make our jobs more efficient, which in turn improves our pediatric patient care. The new entertainment systems for the children will be a great distraction for them while they are here for treatment. We can’t thank Miners for Cancer enough for their generosity and we are honored to be the recipient of all their hard work and efforts.”

“Cancer is a spiteful disease at any level – but when it affects our children it hurts the heart that much more,” said Wayne Tonelli, president of Miners for Cancer.

To help with fundraising efforts, Miners for Cancer held a raffle draw throughout the weeks leading up to their annual Allan Epps Memorial Hockey Challenge.

The draw took place Jan. 24, and the winners were:

First Place: 2014 Polaris Brutus (donated by Technica Mining Group & Mid City Motorsports) Mel Hoogstraten, Norwich, Ont.
Second Place: Kubota RTV-500 (donated by Tracks & Wheels) Paul Deschenes, Azilda, Ont.
Third Place: SAMSUNG 55” 9000 series UHD (curved) TV (donated by Bianco’s) Mike Duval, Sudbury, Ont.