PERSPECTIVE: Walk for women, motorcycle for men

I cannot imagine anyone would be delighted to receive a cancer diagnosis from his or her physician. The news must be devastating, particularly if the word breast or prostate is involved. Most of our readers know a family member, friend or employee who has been affected.

There is hope. Survival rates are increasing. Treatments are more effective. Part of the reason is the unselfish work of volunteers and participants in the Weekend to End Women's Cancer and in the Motorcycle Ride for Dad.

In Toronto, the Women in Mining team, seven determined individuals, have set a goal of raising $100,000 for the Princess Margaret Hospital. Three years ago, the WIM team raised $200,000 in 399 donations, making it the top fund raising team in the country. They distinguished themselves thanks to the generous donations of mining companies, consultants, financial houses and friends.

"It proved that, if you put your heart and your efforts into something that others recognize as valuable, especially if you work with others who can bring various skills, you can accomplish great and important things," Jane Werniuk of Agnico-Eagle Mines told CMJ. "With a new team, in a new economic climate, we want to do it again because we believe that beating cancer is important."

Werniuk is a cancer survivor. She beat the disease six years ago while she was editor of the Canadian Mining Journal.

If you haven't yet donated, please consider doing so now. You can donate by credit card online to an individual by clicking on any team member's name located on the Team Page at www.EndCancer.ca/goto/Women-in-Mining which will direct you to the WIM home page. Or to donate to the team by cheque, click on the same URL and click on the link called "Support Women in Mining" and print out a form. Please fill in "Women in Mining" as the name of the team you're sponsoring on the form and mail it with your cheque made out to "Weekend to End Women's Cancers" by August 20. Mail it to Princess Margaret Hospital, The Weekend to End Women's Cancers, PO Box 3900, Stn Don Mills, Toronto, ON M3C 4C3.

Now in its tenth year, the Motorcycle Ride for Dad is marking the anniversary by embarking on its first cross-country ride beginning Aug. 1. The Ride for Dad has raised over $5 million to fight prostate cancer. Each summer participants have ridden in separate events in cities across Canada - St. Johns to Victoria - in almost every province and territory. Those rides have already taken place.

Now the Ride for Dad is marshalling its "Army of Chrome and Leather" to raise funds not only for the fight against prostate cancer but also in support of the Canadian Armed Forces Military Family Fund. Retired Gen. Rick Hillier, Canada's former chief of defence staff, and hockey legend Don Cherry, himself an avid motorcyclist, are the co-chairmen of the event.

To donate to this worthy cause, go to www.MotorcycleRideForDad.org and click on the Donate Now button to make your contribution online. Donations may also be sent to Motorcycle Ride for Dad, 424 - 300 Earl Grey Drive, Ottawa, ON K2T 1C1.

Why should our readers care about prostate cancer and women's cancers? It makes good business sense. Having healthy workers on the job helps the bottom line. It makes humanitarian sense. To lessen suffering and improve outcomes eases the suffering of not only the cancer patient but also family and friends. Finally, it could happen to you.