Local 793 Donates to Cancer Program

Local 793 recently donated $106,048 to the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation cancer program. A presentation was made at Local 793’s 95th anniversary dinner dance held at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto on Dec. 6, 2014. The funds were raised at the third annual Gary O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament held this past summer at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, Ont. The tournament is named after the union’s late president. The tournaments have now raised more than $312,000. Proceeds are used to fund research into esophageal cancer. Local […]

Local 793 recently donated $106,048 to the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation cancer program.

A presentation was made at Local 793’s 95th anniversary dinner dance held at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto on Dec. 6, 2014.

The funds were raised at the third annual Gary O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament held this past summer at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, Ont. The tournament is named after the union’s late president.

The tournaments have now raised more than $312,000. Proceeds are used to fund research into esophageal cancer.

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher and president Joe Redshaw presented a cheque to Dr. Gail Darling, director of thoracic surgery clinical research at Toronto General Hospital, at the dinner dance.

“The money raised from the Gary O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament is being put to good use in caring for patients and conducting scientific research into treatments for esophageal cancer,” said Gallagher. I would like to thank all the contractors who participated in the golf tournament and helped raise funds for this truly worthy cause.

“Funds raised from the golf tournament have helped doctors make significant strides in research and clinical programs to detect and prevent esophageal cancer. We are proud to be part of that effort.”

Dr. Darling said past donations by Local 793 have enabled the foundation to buy a generator to treat patients who have Barrett’s esophagus, an abnormal change in the cells of the lower portion of the esophagus, which is a pre-cursor to esophageal cancer.

The doctor said the next step is to bring on board a device that can be used to screen patients who are at risk of esophageal cancer without having to have them undergo an endoscopic procedure.

Meanwhile, the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation presented business manager Gallagher with a bronze medal for the union’s fund-raising efforts.

The local had earlier been the recipient of a copper medal.

The union received the bronze because of the more than $100,000 that was raised at the 2014 golf tournament.

Gallagher said he accepted the bronze medal on behalf of the union.

“We’re going to keep on raising money until we get a cure,” he said.

Golf Tournament Raises $100,000

The first ever Gary O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament sponsored by Local 793 was a resounding success. More than 250 golfers participated in the June 29 event at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club in Milton. The event raised more than $100,000 for the esophageal cancer program at University Health Network in Toronto. At a luncheon following the tournament, Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher thanked those who participated in the event. He noted that the money is going to a very good cause. Cancer is a horrible disease that takes people before […]

The first ever Gary O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament sponsored by Local 793 was a resounding success.
More than 250 golfers participated in the June 29 event at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club in Milton.
The event raised more than $100,000 for the esophageal cancer program at University Health Network in Toronto.
At a luncheon following the tournament, Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher thanked those who participated in the event.
He noted that the money is going to a very good cause.
Cancer is a horrible disease that takes people before their time, he told the audience. “You’ve done a good thing” by raising money for esophageal cancer research.
Gallagher said that late president Gary O’Neill would have been proud that Local 793 raised money for cancer research.
“We’re going to do this every single year and keep Gary’s memory alive well into the future,” he said.
IUOE Canadian regional director Jim Murphy told the audience that he’s pleased so many people participated in the tournament.
“What a great turnout for Gary,” he said.
Dr. Gail Darling, thoracic surgeon at Toronto General Hospital, thanked Local 793 and the construction industry for supporting the esophageal cancer program.
She said esophageal cancer is difficult to treat and the key is to develop techniques that lead to early detection of the disease.
The hospital is “especially grateful” for the support of the Operating Engineers, she said.
Following were major sponsors of the event:
EVENT SPONSOR
Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers
PUTTING CONTEST SPONSORS
Global Benefit Plan Consultants Inc.
LUNCH SPONSOR
Crane Rental Association of Ontario
BEVERAGE SPONSORS
Morrison & Williams
Ontario Ironworkers District Council
HOLE-IN-ONE CONTEST SPONSORS
International Union of Operating Engineers (head office – Washington) – Hole #3 Copperhead
RBC Dominion Securities- Hole #16 Sidewinder
CART SPONSORS
Bondfield Construction
United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters (UA)
Ridgewood Capital Asset Management
Aecon Construction & Materials Ltd.
GROUP PHOTO SPONSOR
Letko Brosseau
GIFT CARD SPONSOR
Artcraft Three Hands
Eckler Ltd.
Thistle Printing
EllisDon
Fengate Capital Management
SHIRT SPONSOR
Genumark