About Miners for Cancer
The group started in 1996 when Allan Epps, then a General Foreman at Vale’s Frood Mine, and his best friend Wayne Tonelli, then a General Forman at Vale’s Garson Mine (now retired), began to organize inter-mine and inter-office hockey and baseball games as a way to get workers together in a social environment outside the workplace.
The games soon evolved into a small league and then a tournament, for which participants had to pay a small fee. Soon, extra funds started accumulating, so Epps and Tonelli decided to donate the extra funds to charity. Since cancer is a disease that had touched every participant’s life in some way, it was decided that the funds would be donated to cancer research, equipment and patient care in Northern Ontario.
Epps passed away in 2005 after a motorcycle accident, but Tonelli decided to continue to lead Miners for Cancer as a registered charitable organization in memory of his best friend.
Today, the hockey tournament is recognized as the ‘Allan Epps Memorial Hockey Challenge’ and Miners for Cancer has expanded into golf tournaments, curling bonspiels and galas. To date, this group of individuals has raised more than $1,000,000 for the cause.
The Board of Directors and its members who pride themselves on solely being volunteer based, continue to work towards improving cancer care by funding innovative research that is making an impact on the world stage. These extremely motivated individuals have successfully fundraised hundreds of thousands of dollars that contribute directly towards finding a cure and improving the lives of those living with cancer through new equipment and vital patient care. Without the work of Miners for Cancer, nationally competitive research programs would not exist at the Northeast Cancer Center.
Since its inception, Miners for Cancer has worked with and continues to be supported by over 50 separate organizations and groups including mining companies, mining supply & service providers, labor unions, local non-mining related businesses, as well as local secondary and post-secondary schools - all of whom continue to be generously committed to Miners for Cancer’s cause – digging for a cure.
Support our efforts.
Donate NowMiners for Cancer Board of Directors
(Management Committee)
W.E. (Wayne) Tonelli
President/Co-Founder/Chair
Read BioWayne Tonelli, a retired Vale General Foreman, is the proud co-founder of Miners for Cancer. He started the organization with his best friend Allan Epps, then an INCO (now known as Vale) General Foreman at Frood Mine. After the unexpected passing of Epps in 2005 Wayne decided to continue to lead Miners for Cancer as a registered charitable organization in memory of his best friend. Today, Wayne continues to pride himself by promoting his charity’s mission of raising funds for not only cancer equipment and patient care but to also help find a cure through fun-filled events that bring the Northeast region’s mining community together. Wayne also sits on the Board for the Northern Cancer Foundation.
Amanda (Mandy) Brosseau
Vice-President and Co-Chair
Read BioMandy Brosseau, who joined Miners for Cancer in 2008, has an integral role with Vale’s North Atlantic Mines as a Process Superintendent . Mandy currently leads all communications, marketing and media for Miners for Cancer and leads the coordination of the Holiday Gala and Golf Tournament.
Denis DesForges
Director, Inventory & Merchandising
Read BioA cancer survivor himself, Denis has been a part of the Miners for Cancer team since 2000. Denis works diligently repairing drifters (drills) for Sandvik – one of Miners for Cancer’s longest running Corporate Sponsors. Denis was inspired to join the group after being forced to go to Toronto for treatment during his battle with cancer when, at the time, nothing was available to him in Sudbury. Miners for Cancer likes to call Denis its ‘anchor’ as he can always be counted on for his honest input and keeping the Miners for Cancer vision clear.
Colette DesForges
Director, Treasurer & Financial Affairs
Read BioThe Board of Directors and its members who pride themselves on solely being volunteer based, continue to work towards improving cancer care by funding innovative research that is making an impact on the world stage. These extremely motivated individuals have successfully fundraised hundreds of thousands of dollars that contribute directly towards finding a cure and improving the lives of those living with cancer through new equipment and vital patient care. Without the work of Miners for Cancer, nationally competitive research programs would not exist at the Northeast Cancer Center.
Joni Mascioli
Executive Board Member
Read BioJoni is the newest member on the Miners for Cancer Board of Directors joining in 2012. Given her role as a Project Controls Manager at Vale’s Creighton Mine, Joni brings high quality and value added financial skills to Miners for Cancer and as such was elected to the treasury position in 2013.
Miners for Cancer Board Members
Roberto (Rob) Ferrucci
Board Member
Read BioRob has been a long time Miners for Cancer business sponsor through his previously owned restaurant businesses. Upon retiring from the restaurant business, Rob expressed interest in contributing more than just sponsorship to Miners for Cancer. In late 2013, Rob was welcomed as the newest member on the Board.
Kenna Withers
Board Member
Read BioThe Board of Directors and its members who pride themselves on solely being volunteer based, continue to work towards improving cancer care by funding innovative research that is making an impact on the world stage. These extremely motivated individuals have successfully fundraised hundreds of thousands of dollars that contribute directly towards finding a cure and improving the lives of those living with cancer through new equipment and vital patient care. Without the work of Miners for Cancer, nationally competitive research programs would not exist at the Northeast Cancer Center.
Natasha Moore
Board Member
Read BioNatasha Moore is a passionate advocate for Miners for Cancer serving as a valued member of the board since 2014. With a background in Underground Mining, Business Development and Organizational Management, Natasha brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team. Natasha has demonstrated a strong commitment to philanthropy and community service throughout her career. Her dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals and communities aligns perfectly with the mission and values of Miners for Cancer. Natasha is actively involved in several charities and organizations in the Sudbury area, where her leadership and expertise has been instrumental in driving positive change. She is known for her tireless commitment to our mission and her ability to inspire others to get involved in our cause.
Yijing Sun
Board Member
Read BioThe Board of Directors and its members who pride themselves on solely being volunteer based, continue to work towards improving cancer care by funding innovative research that is making an impact on the world stage. These extremely motivated individuals have successfully fundraised hundreds of thousands of dollars that contribute directly towards finding a cure and improving the lives of those living with cancer through new equipment and vital patient care. Without the work of Miners for Cancer, nationally competitive research programs would not exist at the Northeast Cancer Center.
Phil Perras
Board Member
Read BioThe Board of Directors and its members who pride themselves on solely being volunteer based, continue to work towards improving cancer care by funding innovative research that is making an impact on the world stage. These extremely motivated individuals have successfully fundraised hundreds of thousands of dollars that contribute directly towards finding a cure and improving the lives of those living with cancer through new equipment and vital patient care. Without the work of Miners for Cancer, nationally competitive research programs would not exist at the Northeast Cancer Center.
Sylvie Levert
Board Member
Read BioThe Board of Directors and its members who pride themselves on solely being volunteer based, continue to work towards improving cancer care by funding innovative research that is making an impact on the world stage. These extremely motivated individuals have successfully fundraised hundreds of thousands of dollars that contribute directly towards finding a cure and improving the lives of those living with cancer through new equipment and vital patient care. Without the work of Miners for Cancer, nationally competitive research programs would not exist at the Northeast Cancer Center.
Peter Watson
Board Member
Read BioThe Board of Directors and its members who pride themselves on solely being volunteer based, continue to work towards improving cancer care by funding innovative research that is making an impact on the world stage. These extremely motivated individuals have successfully fundraised hundreds of thousands of dollars that contribute directly towards finding a cure and improving the lives of those living with cancer through new equipment and vital patient care. Without the work of Miners for Cancer, nationally competitive research programs would not exist at the Northeast Cancer Center.