This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.
A team of cyclists from Ontario Mining Association member Detour Gold took a direct route in raising more than $124,000 in the sixth annual Ride to Conquer Cancer this past weekend. Twenty eight cyclists wore the Detour Gold colours on the 200 kilometre route from Toronto to Niagara Falls on June 8 and 9.
More than 5,000 cyclists participated in the event, which benefits the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. This participatory event raised more than $19 million to support personalized cancer medicine. The Princess Margaret facility in Toronto is one of the top five cancer research centres in the world.
Rachel Pineault, Detour Gold Vice President Human Resources and Northern Affairs, says this is the third year a company team has entered this charity event and the participation rate has grown every year. “I bought my bicycle last August and spent a year in preparation,” said Ms Pineault.
“The last time I was on a bike previously was 20 years ago and there was a baby seat on the back,” she added. This year, Rachel’s family joined her on the cycling expedition. “This fundraiser was a great effort and we will do it again.” The Pineault Family raised more than $21,000.
“Sadly, everyone knows someone who has been impacted by cancer,” said Derek Teevan, Detour Gold Vice President Aboriginal and Government Affairs. “I am happy and proud to be part of this fundraising activity. We had great support from our team. There were Detour people at cheering stations along the way and volunteers managed the team and handled logistics.”
Ms Pineault and Mr. Teevan were not the only head office types participating. Detour Gold President and CEO Gerald Panneton, Chief Financial Officer Paul Martin, Senior Vice President and Corporate Counsel Julie Galloway and Vice President Environment and Sustainability Jim Robertson all rode for the cause. From the mine site, Mine General Manager Drew Anwyll and Chief Geologist Joshua Hurrell were also involved.
“Cancer impacts us all. Our employees and their families have all been touched by it,” said Mr. Panneton. “The ride provides a recognition of the struggle and pain that cancer can cause but also an acknowledgment of the importance of health and family.”
“For all individuals, their relationship with cancer is personal,” said Ms Pineault. “Whenever it got tough riding uphill, you had to think of what people going through chemotherapy and radiation treatments experience, and you keep pedaling.”
“I expect the Detour team to grow in size next year,” said Mr. Teevan. “There is a lot of momentum and people want to get the gold helmet symbolizing five years of participation. A number of people have already signed up for next year.”
“We extend our utmost gratitude and well wishes to this incredible community of riders, crew members, volunteers and their extended networks of family and supporters for helping to make the sixth annual Ride to Conquer Cancer an overwhelming success,” said Paul Alofs, President and CEO of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Forty percent of Canadians are expected to develop some form of cancer in their lifetimes. “The funds raised are enabling the continuity of world-leading research, treatment advances, education and new standards of care.”
Detour Gold began production of precious metal in February. Access to the mine site from Cochrane is by a provincial two-lane highway and a private company road. The road trip from Cochrane takes about two and one half hours and crosses several major rivers flowing into the Arctic watershed. The mine is near the Quebec border and about 100 kilometres south of James Bay. For further information on the company check out www.detourgold.com.
Mining companies are responsible, solution-providing partners in society. They do more than find, extract and process minerals essential to our modern lifestyle. They volunteer and add great value to the quality of life in their communities and beyond.