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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, October 4, 2013 | 6 Editorial They will not be dissuaded, they are staying the course with a view to the goal. It is within reach. The numbers prove it. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Oakville residents are already on board with the goal to bring awareness to and boost research into this disease. According to the Breast Cancer Foundation of Canada, in 2013, breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer diagnosis in Canadian women over the age of 20 --with one in four cancer diagnoses being breast cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Canadian women, after lung cancer. Think of the numbers. Think of four women you know -- by the numbers, one will have breast cancer. However, the numbers also say that today, fewer Canadian women are dying from the disease than before. There have been advances made in treatment, but let's face it, the journey is not pleasant. It's a road, Canadian women (and some men) shouldn't have to travel. Thanks to increased awareness, funding, research and the resultant progress, breast cancer deaths have decreased by 42 per cent since the peak in 1986 due to earlier detection through regular mammography screening, advances in screening technology, and improved treatments. This represents a small, but positive change from 2012 statistics, which cited a 39 per cent reduction in deaths since 1986, according to the foundation. One in nine Canadian women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime (by the age of 90). One in 29 Canadian women will die from it. These statistics remain unchanged over the past year. But people press forward with the goal in mind. Oakville's Samantha Ireland (see page 1 of today's edition) took the long journey. Her family stood by her. Her story is like so many others. "Today, I am feeling a lot better. A lot more like myself," Ireland recently told the Oakville Beaver. Hats off to her family and friends who stood with her. Kudos to Wellspring Halton/Peel, the Birmingham Gilgan House on Sixth Line, one of eight Wellspring centres in Ontario. It was there, the Oakville woman connected with a breast cancer support group. It was there, that Ireland met other women in the same situation sharing the same fears. Some of them, further along in treatment, told her what to expect and what to ask. It also gave Ireland time and a place where she was out meeting people. And they weren't simply focused on their ght with cancer. They were alive and ghting back. Ireland took a cooking class and, as a bene t, received advice helpful to her health challenges. The centre also offers exercise classes, yoga, quilting and discussion groups on topics like returning to work or talking to teens about cancer. In May, Ireland raised more than $2,500 for the Lace Up For Love walk to support Wellspring, which she did with her eight-year-old daughter, Sarah. Now, her husband, Troy, will ride from Toronto to Texas -- for Wellspring, for his wife and for others who have, are, or will travel the same road. It is our belief that one day no one will have to travel that road. The numbers prove it. "Connected to your Community" S A L U T E T O S E N I O R S Relentless determination The CARP Halton ag was hoisted at the Halton Regional Centre Tuesday in honour of National Seniors' Day and the United Nations International Day of Older Persons. Founded 20 years ago, the Halton chapter has more than 4,000 members and meets monthly in south Halton at the Burlington Seniors Centre and in the north at Milton Seniors' Centre. Here, in front, from left, Barbara King, CARP Halton secretary-treasurer; Mary Pearson, Home Instead Senior Care Oakville and chapter committee member; and, chapter sponsorship director Myrna Penny. In back, members Jan McPherson and Jim Blake, and chapter president Tom Carrothers. 467 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 51 | Number 119 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor | photo by Myrna Penny, special to the Beaver ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production We have two children at Pilgrim Wood Public School, so the topic of English versus French and/or single versus dual tracks affects us. We are not opposed to French Immersion; however we are in favour of maintaining neighbourhood schools. No child should be displaced from their neighbourhood school for an optional program, capped or non-capped. Last spring, a survey was emailed to some parents. In our opinion, it contained biased and leading questions, and no limit on how many times one person could complete it. We thought it was the responsibility of the Halton District School Board (HDSB), trustees, superintendents and each school council to do what is right for the children, not for their resumes and standing in the community. End divisiveness over French immersion Letters to the Editor SANDY PARE MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution The parents who have children in kindergarten (with no older children) have no idea what is going on. Why? No one from the HDSB, school council or trustees has informed them. Everyone needs to stop using our children in some unspoken competition. To see boards allow this to cross over to education is sickening. We only want what is fair for the children now and future generations. The ghting and confusion needs to stop. We sent a detailed email that included many questions to HDSB, trustees and the Pilgrim Wood Elementary School Council and we have not received an answer. Keep neighbourhood schools for all children because that is true inclusion. Kelly and Manu Maganti, Oakville CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Residents Concerned Over Increased Airplane Traf c, Oakville Beaver, Sept. 27, 2013 I, too, have noticed an increase in air traf c over Oakville. I do not nd the noise generated by aircraft any worse than that generated by rail traf c passing through or traf c on the QEW. I think people who complain about aircraft noise, forget about the economic value of an airport. In addition to carrying people, the air- Airports can make good neighbours Proud Official Media Sponsor For: port handles many aircraft that carry consumer goods, perishable goods, parcels that are shipped via couriers, Canada Post and others. We enjoy the bene ts of these services without complaining. Many other countries are proud to have busy airports in the neighbourhood because the residents enjoy the economic bene ts. John Kidston, Oakville 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 the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. 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.