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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, June 6, 2012 · 6 Opinion & Letters 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 -- Open 9-5 weekdays, 5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekends Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Oakville Beaver THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Canadian Circulation Audit Board Member THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America Canadian Community Newspapers Association ATHENA Award Neil Oliver Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The OakvilleBeaver is a division of David Harvey Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief Daniel Baird Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor Riziero Vertolli Photography Director Sandy Pare Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production Manuel garcia Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution KIM MOSSMAN Circ. Manager Keeping up the fight It did more than rain, it poured. But despite Mother Nature being extremely unco-operative, participants in Oakville's Relay for Life at Appleby College Friday made sure they rallied for the cause. The Canadian Cancer Society's Relay is an allnight affair designed to celebrate people who are living with cancer and remember those who lost their battle with this insidious disease. The popular event that invites teams to have fun by dressing as wildly as they like, is also a way for people to fight back against cancer -- to say, `no more' to a disease that somehow manages to touch all of our lives. Money raised through Relay goes toward, among other things, funding research, advocating for public policies to improve the health of Canadians and, above all, preventing cancer. According to the Canadian Cancer Society's website, in 2012 an estimated 27,900 people will die of cancer in Ontario and 72,300 new cases will be diagnosed. Pretty staggering statistics and that is why it is so very important for events, such as Relay for Life, to get the support they deserve. Relay takes a staggering amount of volunteer hours to pull off. To all of you who had a hand in organizing the event -- a very big thank you. The cancer society could not possibly carry out its mandate without the unwavering support of its multitude of volunteers of all ages. The young people, especially the students at Appleby College, should be proud of the work they have accomplished. They should know they have touched someone's life. A special acknowledgement, as well, to the numerous businesses that give without reservation to this community that we call home. Relay for Life has wrapped up for another year, but already the planning has started for 2013. Perhaps one day we will no longer have to raise funds to wage this war. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Letter to the editor Join the Gutsy Walk on Sunday One in 160 Canadians suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Canada has among the highest rates of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in the world. There is no cure, no known cause, and little public understanding of the pain and chronic suffering, which IBD patients courageously cope with every day of their lives. Many here in Halton Region are living with IBD, so it's likely someone you know is affected by this painful and often stigmatizing disease. The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain Crohn's disease and ulcerative the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to colitis are the two most common The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to forms of IBD. Crohn's disease editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. involves inflammation of any part of the gastrointestinal tract, while ulcerative colitis involves only the large bowel. I was born in Europe at the start of the including one by Bonnie Brown. Crohn's disease and ulcerative Second World War. While the world is fighting for democ- colitis are both chronic illnesses. I vividly remember Canadians arriving racy, our democratic process is being They are painful, and can be socially to liberate us. After the war, my parents threatened. isolating due to the "embarrassBudget Bill C-38 is a 452-page act ment factor." brought me to this country. I became a amending some 60 different laws. It has the Canadian. On Sunday (June 10), in about I am so thankful to have grown up here potential to change our country, not for the 80 Canadian communities, the and so thankful that my children grew up better, in my opinion. Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of here as well. I urge you to pay attention, do your Canada (CCFC) will hold its 17th On Saturday, there was a Rally for homework, because this is serious. annual Gutsy Walk, formerly known Democracy in the Towne Square. This is not the time for `sleepwalking'. as the Heel `n' Wheel-a-Thon. Judging from the small number of peo- Do it for your children and your grandchilThe event raises funds for IBD ple who attended, the media has not done dren. research by participants obtaining its job. When it is too late, it is much too late. pledges from their families, friends We listened to some emotional speeches, Karen Sandford, Oakville and co-workers. CCFC invests these funds in research into the causes, cures and treatments for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. A front page story appeared on the car. To date, CCFC has invested over Friday (June 1, 2012) edition of The Language matters. $71 million into IBD research in Oakville Beaver with the headline: Cop In referring to Ms. Crawford as a cop, Canada, and is the country's single cracks the case -- for her mom. the Beaver demonstrates diminished largest non-government funder of It detailed how retired Halton Regional respect, not only for the former sergeant, IBD research. Police Service Sgt. Lina Crawford assisted but for all police officers. It's not the time for sleepwalking Letters to the editor Word `cop' disrespectful to police in the recovery of her mother's stolen Peter D. Pellier, Oakville See Oakville's page 14