NTPC employees fight back against cancer

NTPC employees (and friends) took the fight to cancer in June starting with Hay River’s 2010 Relay for Life.  When the smoke cleared, the Power to the People team had raised $17,000 for cancer research.

NTPC employees raised over $25,000 for cancer research in June.

It required “sweat equity”…lots of it.  For two months the NTPC team held barbecues, bingos, a garage sale, and canvassed donations for the cure.

The central event was a comedy show, Cluk Yuks, featuring two professional comedians, all you can eat chicken wings, and a dance. Roughly 300 Hay River and area residents bought tickets and took part in the fun.

“Power to the People is truly an employee movement that has taken on a life and legacy of its own,” says Judith Goucher, NTPC’s Acting President and CEO. “It’s touching when you consider the amount of volunteer time and commitment. These are very busy people.  We’re extremely proud them.”

The team’s fight against cancer began in 2008 with Hay River’s first Relay for Life. What started as a relatively unknown event soon became the community’s biggest fundraiser.   The Relay for Life moved to Fort Smith in 2009, but in the two Hay River events, Power to the People has raised over $50,000 for cancer research.

Over the same period NTPC has been the Marquee Sponsor for both Relays in Hay River, a major sponsor of the Fort Smith Relay for Life, and a sponsor of Yellowknife’s Ride for Dad, a motorcycle fundraiser for prostate cancer.

Cancer Survivors Bonnie Lee Comeau (left) and NTPC’s Pat Harrington share a laugh with Power to the People’s Darin Harris prior to the Survivors’ March.

 “Unfortunately not many can say that they have not been touched by cancer. Our employees have stepped up to raise funds for cancer research and it is our sincere privilege to support them in their efforts,” says Goucher.

“Cancer describes more than 200 diseases that can affect any part of the body.  Hair loss is a common symptom of treatment,”

- Julia Francis, NTPC employee, cancer survivor, and initiator of Shave for Life.

Mike Ocko, Thermal Region Director, gets a close shave from Inuvik mayor, Denny Rodgers at the Shave for Life cancer cure fund raiser.

This year the effort expanded to Inuvik.  In April, Julia Francis, a long-time employee and a cancer survivor, was again diagnosed with the disease. She put her own struggle aside and organized a fundraiser…Shave for Life.

“Cancer describes more than 200 diseases that can affect any part of the body.  Hair loss is a common symptom of treatment,” she explained.

She didn’t have to explain much else.  Fifteen NTPC employees stepped up for a close shave; two from as far away as Fort Simpson.  But the support didn’t stop at NTPC. Several Inuvik residents stepped up as well.  The event grew to 20 people and the Shave for Life raised more than $8000 for the cure.

Over the last 24 months, NTPC and its employees have contributed more than $75,000 for cancer research.  It’s the good fight.  Cancer can be beaten.