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14 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday October 29, 2008 Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN www.oakvillebeaver.com Phone: 905-845-3824, ext. 248 Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com Posties shoulder the burden for friends By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER N either rain, nor snow, nor sleet -- nor cancer shall stay these couriers. The postal workers at the Burlington and Oakville depots have added that last obstacle to the familiar mantra of mail carriers around the world. Collectively, they have given their co-workers, Jean-Pierre and Mary Skipton, a gift of $10,000 raised from lunches, dances and draws over the past few weeks. It's because Jean-Pierre, or JP as his workmates call him, has cancer. For three years, the 42-year-old father of four has battled colon cancer and now has liver cancer, which is incurable. JP is a contract worker for Canada Post, who has been driving routes in Burlington for more than 16 years. Mary is a subcontractor too, delivering mail in commercial areas around Oakville for the past 14 years. Due to the progression of JP's illness, he had to leave his job behind last summer -- and his income. As a subcontractor there are no sick benefits. The money the couple's co-workers raised alleviates some of the stress "We get by one day at a time with a lot of help from family, friends, community care workers and health professionals." Mary Skipton LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER FRIENDS IN DEEDS: Mary Skipton (centre) and friends from the Canada Post Oakville Depot where mail carriers led by John and Brenda Stanley (pictured on either side of Skipton on either side) are supporting their fellow employee and her husband Jean-Pierre (JP) who, after a battle with colon cancer is now fighting liver cancer. on this family. With a mortgage, living expenses and children to care for on one income, it is a tough struggle. "It's unbelievable. I can't express how I feel. I work with really great people," said Mary. Through the organizing efforts of Lorna Barber and John Stanley, and the support of more than three dozen local businesses and benefactors, fundraising that started small grew exponentially. The sum of the parts made the whole a success for a family in need. "We just wanted to pitch in and give him some help," said Barber. It started with a 50-50 draw using decks of cards that were circulated through the Canada Post offices and depots in Oakville and Burlington. It generated $8,000 and made $5,500 for the Skiptons, because the winner of the draw donated back $1,500. Co-workers then took their efforts into the kitchen, making chili and pulled pork for two lunchtime fundraisers. It helped direct some much-needed immediate cash to the family, to help make up for JP's lost income. After that, the posties fanned out across the town to collect raffle and door prizes, and other donations from a bevy of supporters, for an Oct. 3 dinner and dance. "We are so thankful for everyone who made all of this a success," said John Stanley. The reward for all of their hard work was to see JP arrive at the dance, albeit for only one hour and in a wheelchair. Surrounded by people who love and care about him and his family, it was a night to remember for a man pouring all of his energy into beating a relentless disease. "We get by one day at a time," said Mary, "with a lot of help from family, friends, community care workers and health professionals." In the meantime the family prays and hopes treatment will eradicate JP's cancer. ATHENA nominees rise above as role models They are women of substance -- they are powerful, have worked hard and care about others -- leaders. They are the 2008 ATHENA Oakville nominees and tonight one will be selected as the 2008 ATHENA Oakville award winner though all are honoured for having been nominated. They include: C.J. Martin, owner of CJ's Café in Bronte; Alison Thomas, president of the Canadian Association of Nephrology Nurses and Technicians; Jane Thomas Yager of Wellspring Halton/Peel; Wendy Perkins, executive director of Home Suite Hope Shared Living; and Elka Ruth Enola, a local poet and photographer. The 2008 ATHENA Oakville gala is being held at the Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre tonight. It begins with a champagne reception and includes dinner as well as a keynote address from Marina Nemat, author of Prisoner of Tehran. At age 16, in 1982, Nemat was arrested and sent to the notorious Evin prison in Iran for writing in her school's newspaper in the wake of the Iranian Islamic Revolution of 1979. Nemat was sentenced to death, but had her sentence reduced to life in prison when one of her interrogators decided to marry her. He was killed 15 months later, but his family worked toward her release. Nemat, a Christian Iranian, returned to her family and later married her boyfriend of six years and left Iran. Today Nemat lives in Canada with her husband, and children aged 15 and 19. She remains an outspoken champion of freedom and individual rights. Following Nemat's address, the 2008 ATHENA Oakville award recipient will be named. Thomas has excelled in the field of nursing and has mentored students and staff nurses. As president of the Canadian Association of Nephrology Nurses and Technicians, Thomas was elected by her peers across the country and leads the association in its focus on excellence in patient care and education for nephrology. Marina Nemat See Women page 15 See In Store For Great Deals On Carpet, Laminate, Hardwood, Vinyl, Ceramic and Area Rugs. SPECIAL FEATURE Ashburn Collection 50% Off 4th Line in Oakville is Re-opening and We're Rolling Out The Savings! 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