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B4 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 25, 2002 Twilight Run for Rebounders in Bronte By Shelly Sanders Greer SPECIAL TO TH E BEAVER For Angela Halse, 47, cancer struck not once but twice, when she was 10 and 36, leaving her unable to hold a job. "I'm slower and can't work at the speed that regular agencies want you to work at," says Halse. "After I got out of the hospi tal a second time, I did a two-day job as a temporary secretary. But after half a day they let me go. They didn't want me. I decided it wasn't worth getting a job so I manage on disability." Halse is part of a small but growing phenomenon - a sur vivor of childhood cancer with devastating long-term^ difficul ties from high doses o f cranial radiation and chemotherapy. Declared cancer-free as children, these people often end up with balance and motor problems when they get older, but until recently, there were no resources for them. Andrew Sprawson, 39, also a childhood cancer survivor unable to work, decided to form a self-help group of childhood cancer survivors. In the process of contacting survivors, he met his future wife, Jill, 28, who was diagnosed with cancer when she was seven. Together they created Rebounders which today is 60 members strong and has a num ber of projects in the works, including the Rebound Centre, scheduled to be built in early 2003. The land has already been purchased by DQI, owned by Sprawson's brother, Jonathan. DQI will build condos on the property that will help pay for the Centre. "Childhood cancer advances very fast so they hit us very hard with radiation and chemo in the formidable years of learning," explains Andrew. "In later life we have sideeffects. We can't keep up with the speed and productivity most people want. We do everything much slower. Opimian dinner on Sept. 30 The Oakville/Hamilton Chapter of the Opimian Society will be hosting a wine tasting and dinner for new members and those inter ested in joining Canada's largest non-profit wine co-operative. The Opimian Society was founded in 1973 has over 11,000 members across Canada. Members receive six wine catalogues a year and can order wines from around the world, attend local tasting events, and enjoy wine tours. Locally six events are held annually. The Sept. 30 event will be held at Otello's starting at 6:30 p.m. Following a reception giving members and guests an opportunity to mingle, there will be a tasting of Beaujolais wines. Dinner will fol low. All wines served at the event have been offered exclusively to its members. For further information, contact Lee Brebner, the Area Secretary at 905-337-8947 or by email at lee.brebner@sympatico.com. "But most of these survivors are very talented in one area like crafts or woodworking. We want to take that talent and show them how to make things that are use ful and marketable." Sprawson hopes to see a cot tage industry develop once the Centre is open, giving the sur vivors some extra income as well as much-needed self esteem. In addition, there will be permanent and semi-permanent housing on the site. "A lot of survivors in their late 30s and 40s are still living at home," he says. "This would be a safe environment as a stepping stone to living alone." There would also be work shops on how to cook, do bank ing and use computers. To help Rebounders fund its many programs, as well as help pay for the new Centre, the Rotary Club of Oakville West (RCOW) and Halton Regional Police are organizing the second annual Bronte Harbour Twilight 5K Run - 2K Family Walk on Saturday Sept. 28. Last year, $6,000 was raised and this year organizers hope to substantially increase the num ber of runners and dollars raised. `T h e money from the run goes to the Rebounders charity to help them develop skills to become more independent," says Brian Bidwell, race director and a member of RCOW. "This is a hand up, not a hand out. "We're trying to get the mes sage out that these people exist. People think they're cured after beating childhood cancer, but 20 years later, when they have sec ondary brain damage, they fall through the cracks." This event is geared towards runners, walkers, cyclists and even people on Rollerblades. Bidwell explains that the run takes place along a scenic route in Bronte, going past the harbour twice. At the end, there will be prizes at the Legion, donated by Saucony. Sprawson will be on hand to meet and greet participants, but he's unable to run or walk him self. He requires a walker, another side effect he has from his can cer treatment long ago. "Life is wonderful," he says. "We are thriving not surviving, which is the Rebounder's motto. We want to help people thrive, not survive." The run starts at 7 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion at 79 Jones St., but Bidwell advises participants to arrive early for an aerobic workout and for a chance to receive a free T-shirt. The first 150 runners will receive embroidered shirts. Participants can register at The Running Company, 118 Thomas St. The cost to enter is $25 prior to race day for runners, and $30 on Sept. 28. Walkers can register for $20 prior to Sept. 28, and $25 on race day. For more information, con tact The Running Company at 905-815-1952. Liesa Kortmann · Oakville Beaver Angela H alse has battled can cer twice, once d u rin g childhood at age 10 and again at age 36. It has left h er unable to w ork due to the side effects of h er treatm ents. H ence, she's tu rn ed to R ebounders C an ad a fo r su p port. R ebounders will benefit from S a tu rd a y 's second annual Bronte H arb o u r Twilight 5K Run 2K Family Walk. S t John's celebrates 170th anniversary on Sunday One of Canada's oldest congregations, St. John's United Church, is celebrating its 170th anniversary. The church dates back to 1832, before Queen Victoria's coronation, before Oakville's incorporation, and before Canada's confederation. St. John's is Oakville's longest established congregation. On Sunday Sept. 29, almost 9.000 Sunday services later, the congregation will hold a special service in which some of St. John's history will come full circle. A pre-service recital at 10 a.m. by guest soloist, Arlene Duncan, recognizes her fami ly's long and interesting association with St. John's. It dates back to her great grandfather , Benedict Duncan, who had been a slave in Maryland. A four-month journey, including the Underground Railroad, landed him in Oakville, in about 1870. Soon after he became St. John's sexton. Five generations of Duncans have lived here and many have had musical connec tions with the church. Arlene Duncan, Sunday's soloist, began her singing career with the original Tempus Youth Choir under the direction of Brian Turnbull, St. John's choir director and organ ist since 1971. Her career now also includes song-writing and acting. St. John's 170th anniversary worship service, commencing at 10:30 a.m., will include a second historical note in the person of its longest-serving minister. Reverend James Campbell, who will be its guest preacher. Rev. Campbell was St. John's sen ior minister from 1969 to 1995. Following the musical recital and wor ship service, historical records and memora bilia will be on display in Lusk Hall. St. John's is on Dunn Street between Randall and Church Streets. For more information, call St. John's at 905-845-0551. Jane Doe speaks at SAVIS fundraiser In 1998, after a 12-year court battle, `Jane Doe' successfully sued the Metro Toronto Police Force for negligence and charter violations in their investigation of her rape, which took place in 1986. 'D oe' will speak at a fundraising dinner for SAVIS (Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services) of Halton on Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Burlington Convention Centre, 1120 Burloak Dr. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m., and Doe will speak at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $45 each (with a $20 tax receipt), and student tickets cost $30. Call SAVIS at 905-825-3622 or the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, Halton - event co-sponsor - at 905-333-3993, to reserve tickets. Tickets will not be sold at the door. is proud to announce, as of October 1st AIL Advertising in the Oakville Beaver Real Estate section will be part of a completely searchable database. L DO CTOR'S rO F F IC E r THE (Dorval Dr. and North Service Rd. 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