At their annual Allan Epps Memorial Hockey Challenge presented by Sandvik, Members of Miners for Cancer announced a $10,000 donation towards Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer (NOFCC).
This was in addition to the $40,000 donated to the group at the Miners for Cancer Holiday Gala in December, in which Sandvik was also the title sponsor.
“Cancer is one of the leading causes of death by disease for children in Canada,” said Wayne Tonelli, president, Miners for Cancer. “If we can help even just one child from our community’s chances of survival with our fundraising efforts, all the hard work behind our events is worth it.”
The combined $50,000 donation will support Northern Ontario families caring for a child with cancer.
“Words cannot express our gratitude to the Miners for Cancer team. It is truly remarkable to receive donations of this magnitude.” said Andrea Fortin, program & office co-ordinator for the NOFCC. “Childhood cancer is not only emotionally devastating, but also financially difficult. When a child in the North is diagnosed with cancer, their family is forced to travel and spend extended periods away from home for treatment. It is estimated that costs incurred will reach one third of a family’s after-tax income.”
“The donations received from the Miners for Cancer will make a world of a difference for many families during the most difficult chapter of their lives,” added Fortin.
It was young Malleck Kennedy’s fourth time performing the official puck drop at the hockey tournament’s opening ceremony. The puck drop was extra special this year for everyone – especially the Kennedy family – as it was Malleck’s first time dropping the puck cancer free and completely off treatment.
“My husband and I, unfortunately, know first hand all the challenges that come with caring for a child diagnosed with cancer,” said Sarah Kennedy, Malleck’s mother. “The support that NOFCC offers to families in the same situation is remarkable and crucial during these times.”
“We want to thank the Miners for Cancer team for all their hard work, and for their very generous donation to this cause so near and dear to our family’s heart,” added Kennedy. “We are forever grateful for letting our Mighty Malleck, and our little Brooklyn take part in the opening ceremonies — these are cherished memories that we will not soon forget.”
Sandvik has been one of Miners for Cancer’s longest standing supporters. This year marked over two decades of being the hockey tournament’s title sponsor.
"Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer, and the 'Miners for Cancer' charity is a shining example of this unity. Sandvik is proud to support the continued efforts towards improving cancer care and funding innovative research that is making an impact on the world stage, as well as the communities right here in Sudbury, Ontario,” said Peter Corcoran, Vice President of Sales Area Canada at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions.
Miners for Cancer would like to thank all 23 teams and their sponsors for their ongoing support.
Present at this year’s tournament were Vale, KPI Industrial Controls, Level X, Glencore, Victaulic, Investors Group, Ontario Mine Rescue, Technica Mining, USW Local 6500, Hydro Tech Mining, Walden Group, Wajax MacLean Engineering, Metso Outotec, Toromont and of course the hockey tournament’s title sponsor, Sandvik.
