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January 2009 Volume 3 #1
 True Grit: Facing advanced PCa Hormone resistant PCa: News Osteoporosis and prostate cancer Fort McKay: A sharing tradition |
Fort McKay: CPCN benefits from its tradition of sharing  Fort McKay First Nation is a small but growing northern community with a long history of doing big things---together. Located on the Athabasca River about 65 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, the community has adapted to changing times while preserving its traditions of respect for and reliance on the land and of cooperation and sharing with others.The people have lived in the region for about eight thousand years, since the arrival of, first, the Dene (Chipewyan), then the Cree, and then, in the 1820s, the Métis. Although Fort McKay's economy now centres on the development of the Athabasca oil sands, the Fort McKay Group of Companies, which is fully owned and operated by the community, works hard to create long-term and sustainable growth that values traditions. And one of those traditions is generosity. The Canadian Prostate Cancer Network was the beneficiary of that generosity last November, when Executive Director Wally Seeley received a call from Melissa Dwyer, the Executive Assistant of CEO/Band Manager Phil Peddie. "She called me out of the blue," recalls Seeley, "and asked about prostate cancer awareness material and whether a donation would help." Of course, CPCN receives many calls and emails each day, from newly diagnosed men and their loved ones, from support groups or people interested in starting them, and from other prostate cancer organizations, medical professionals, government agencies, and potential donors. "So, as soon as I had her address, I sent out a package right away and thought nothing more about it," says Seeley. "Then, we started receiving online donations from the Fort McKay First Nation." "We decided to support the CPCN because we didn't think it got enough recognition," reports Melissa Dwyer. "To make it exciting, we came up with the goofy idea for the men in the office to grow beards and moustaches together, not only to raise money but as a way of team building." (Check out some of the before and after pictures below!) "Our staff got the word out mostly by word of mouth, but I also sent emails to the different oil sands sites as well. I believe CPCN even received an online donation from Newfoundland because one of our staff members told parents back home, and they decided to get involved. Even the staff in the office made donations." "The CPCN sent us prostate ribbon pins as well, which was a great idea," Melissa enthuses. "The pins were worn in the office with pride." It was a most gratifying campaign, especially because of the donors' and organizers' very evident enthusiasm for giving. Perhaps the Fort McKay First Nation was living up to its namesake: Dr. Williams Morrison McKay was the first resident doctor in Alberta and became the first President of the Northern Alberta Medical Association. Perhaps the gift to CPCN was a reflection of the importance Fort McKay places on its people's welfare. (This progressive community has both a Health Centre and a Wellness Centre.) But we at CPCN like to think that the donations were inspired by one of the most fundamental teachings of the community's elders---sharing.     |
 www.cpcn.org | cpcn@nexicom.net | Phn: (705) 652-9200 | Fax: (705) 652-0663 Toll Free 1-866-810-CPCN (2726) Toll Free 1-888-322-5735 (français) |