Top Guns Gala
Well, it has been a long and eventful year for the crew at Top Guns Charity. A year which took us across the country and back; allowing us to expand our concept and create awareness among university campuses all across Canada.
Our goal this year has been to purchase a new machine for the breast cancer division of the Victoria General Hospital. The machine, a film digitizer, increases the effectiveness in detecting breast cancer at an early stage; therefore greatly increasing the chance of a patients survival. We’ve been fundraising in the form of a cross-country roadtrip, corporate sponsors, merchandise sale, club events, WHL nights, and now a gala to cap things off.
It is only fitting that our starting point is also our finish, thus we will be hosting our gala right here in beautiful Victoria on Thursday, April 19th.
The 1st Annual Top Guns Gala promises to be a memorable night; complete with delectabe catered food, a live art show, and a silent auction.
We’re really excited to feature the talent of three local artists for our live art show: Sylvia Coughlin, Kristin Grant, and Marie Specht, following which, the art will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
We look forward to seeing a good showing from the Victoria community, please RSVP if you wish to attend; it is an open event, but subject to capacity. Entrance is $20 with all proceeds going towards the new machinery for breast cancer detection. Entrance is only $10 for all UVic students with valid student ID.
RSVP: bearjohal@topgunscharity.ca
A Trip Across Canada
Victoria, BC
One of the most influential professor’s during my undergrad at UVic once told me:
“Before you decide to travel the world or settle down in a career, travel across Canada, coast to coast. You’ll understand why.” (Despite it having nothing to do with course curriculum, it was one of the few notes I actually wrote down that day).
The vision was instilled, but the idea all started one rainy summer afternoon (welcome to Victoria).
Graduation was upon us and the future looked intimidating and uncertain.
“You know, I think Top Guns has a lot of potential, we should bring it across Canada.”
“I’m down.”
“Cam? Drew?”
“Yes.”
3 months, 22 cities, and 16 university campuses later we stood at the very end of the country (Cape Spear, NFLD, the most Eastern point of Canada). Everything had happened so fast, we had spent the equivalent of an entire school semester on the road—for most of us, it was the first autumn in 17 years that we hadn’t spent in a classroom. The experience was, if nothing else, surreal.
Our limited two months of planning prior to departure meant constant planning on the road. We were able to get the bare minimum done to leave (registration as a non-profit organization, vehicle ownership and insurance, ordering of initial product), everything after that was done persistently on the go. Coffee shops and hotel lobbies became our mobile offices to plan each event, update webpages and social media, and edit multimedia. Even the van became a conference room, where incessant country music was put on pause to answer phone calls from potential sponsors and media outlets. No matter how long the drive was or how late the night went, we were up early and on campus by 9am to put on a smiling face for thousands of students.
Just as every city is different, so is every university campus. The people, the culture, the architecture—all remarkably different and all with their own unique flair. The tour undoubtedly had its ups and downs. Some cities and campuses were more receptive than others; we received a fair share of praise, but also some criticism to go with it. Exhaustion set in after the big cities of Toronto and Montreal and we were forced to dig deep. Through this, I believe we learned more about ourselves than any stressful exam period in undergrad. We embarked on the trip with energy, passion, and the belief that we would make a profound difference. None of this would have been achieved had we not faced adversity. It was those instances on campus and in the community; meeting breast cancer survivors or individuals who lost family members to the disease. It was their praise and appreciation, which served as the true driving force.
3 months flew by and I cannot begin to list all the great people we met along the way. Squalid motels, pull-out beds, and old-fashioned couches combined with cheap food, fast food, and just plain fasting were all 100% worth it. We set a high fundraising goal, and although it wasn’t met in the 3 month trip, we are now working with the new and very proficient Top Guns Victoria group over the next 3 months to get there. We are confident that we can raise enough money to buy a new machine for the hospital, because we believe that through increasing the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, more lives WILL be saved. Furthermore, we were thrilled at how many students shared our passion and can now proudly say that along with the University of Victoria, Top Guns Charity also exists at UBC, UBC-O, UofC, USask, UOttawa, and McGill.
As I sit in this coffee shop and reflect, I firmly believe that we did make a difference. Not just through fundraising, but through the inspiration to other students who reflected our same morals and passions. We worked hard to set up Top Guns the way it is, so that they too can have the opportunity to give back to their community and have a damn good time doing it.
After it’s all said and done, I finally understand why my professor insisted on driving coast-to-coast. Because photos, videos, or even one person’s memoirs simply do not cut it. You must experience it for yourself and you will undoubtedly see why Canada truly is the greatest country on Earth.
Cancer-Fighting Superfoods
Some foods contain precious anti-cancer molecules. These include:
Green tea is a top antioxidant
GREEN TEA
Rich in polyphenols that reduce the growth of the new blood vessels needed for tumour growth, green tea is also a powerful antioxidant and activates mechanisms in the liver which help to eliminate cancerous toxins from the body more rapidly. In mice it has been shown to block the effects of chemical carcinogens responsible for breast, lung, oesophageal, stomach and colon cancer.
TURMERIC
The most powerful natural anti-inflammatory identified today. In the laboratory it enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy and reduces tumour growth. To be assimilated by the body tumeric needs to be mixed with black pepper and, ideally, it should be dissolved in oil.
GARLIC, ONIONS, LEEKS, SHALLOTS and CHIVES
These all help to regulate blood sugar levels, which in turn reduces insulin secretion and thus the growth of cancer cells. They promote the death of cancer cells in colon, breast, lung and prostate cancer.
MUSHROOMS
Shiitake, crimini, portabello and oyster mushrooms stimulate the reproduction and activity of immune cells. They are often used in Japan as a complement to chemotherapy to support the immune system.
CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES
Cabbages, sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower contain powerful anti-cancer molecules. But boiling will destroy them — steam briefly or stir-fry rapidly in a little olive oil.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES RICH IN CAROTENOIDS
Carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, apricots, beets and all the brightly coloured fruits and vegetables contain vitamin A and lycopene, which have the proven capacity to inhibit the growth of particularly aggressive cancers.
Herbs can help reduce the spread of cancer cells
HERBS AND SPICES
Rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil and mint are rich in essential oils of the tarpene family which reduce the spread of cancer cells by blocking the enzymes they need to invade neighbouring tissues.
CITRUS FRUIT
Oranges, tangerines, lemons and grapefruit contain anti-infammatory flavonoids which are also present in the skin. So buy organic, unwaxed citrus fruit and add the zest to salad dressing or steep the skins in hot water or tea.
straight.com
Student volunteers raise awareness and funds for breast cancer
Top Guns Charity hopes to raise $135,000 for two Victoria hospitals.
Driving across the country in a hot-pink minivan emblazoned with the slogan “Save Breasts”, four male University of Victoria grads in bubble-gum–coloured hoodies are doing more than turning heads. They’re also turning the conventional model of charitable fundraising on its head.
On the line from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Bear Johal explains that Top Guns Charity, which is run by student volunteers, is dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer among the university-age demographic. And what’s the best way to reach young people who tend to study hard and play hard? By appealing to their inner party animals. The group holds “Think Pink”–themed events at campus clubs and bars, putting the fun in fundraising.
“You can give people all the facts, but if you get them out having a good time, knowing it’s for a good cause, then they might check out our website and learn more,” says Johal, 23. “We want to get their attention in an exciting way.”
Johal—a recent English grad who is Top Guns’ event director—and fellow charity heads and business grads Taylor Love, Cam MacQueen, and Drew Zimmerman are taking the year off before going back to school to pursue their degrees or enter the workforce. In that eye-poppingly pink minivan, they’re on a cross-Canada tour and a mission: to raise money for desperately needed medical equipment for Victoria hospitals and to expand Top Guns Charity to universities nationwide.
Their goal is to raise $135,000 to purchase two pieces of medical equipment for use in Victoria: a tissue processor for the Royal Jubilee Hospital and a film digitizer for the Victoria General Hospital. Both are crucial for early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
With Top Guns already in place in Vancouver, Calgary, and Kelowna, the team has also spurred the creation of chapters in Ottawa and Montreal during its ambitious trek. It’s hoping for more in Halifax, Charlottetown, and St. John’s, among other cities.
“The charity focuses on local needs of each community,” Johal says. “Our goal is to help communities across Canada purchase equipment for their own hospitals.”
But what’s up with a bunch of young guys volunteering their time for the breast-cancer cause in the first place?
“It’s definitely different, for sure, but it’s not just girls who are affected by it,” Johal says, noting that his best friend’s mom just passed away because of the disease; another pal’s grandmother is a survivor. Then there are countless relatives, friends, and friends of friends who have died or survived or are currently dealing with the dreaded illness. “It may not affect you or personally, but it can affect you in other ways….We’ve all been touched by breast cancer in our family and friends; it’s a very prevalent disease and it’s affected all of our lives.”
According to the B.C. Cancer agency, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the province. The risk increases with age, doubling between ages 45 and 65. Signs include a mass, lump, thickening, or change in the breast that’s new and doesn’t go away; dimpling of the skin of the breast; redness, scaling, or inflammation of the nipple; swelling, redness, or heat in the breast; and a lump in the armpit. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the greater the chance of successfully treating it.
Top Guns Charity got its start in 2007, when University of Calgary student Kenneth Heinbecker sold aviator sunglasses on campus and donated all profits to charity. Fellow U of C students Sean Porta and Peter Fitzpatrick got involved soon after, and together the three chose the Canadian Cancer Society as the group’s beneficiary.
Fitzpatrick transferred to UBC in 2008, bringing TGC with him. Johal, having attended a fundraising event, introduced the organization to UVic in 2010.
Johal and his UVic counterparts decided to register TGC as a charitable organization so that money raised could go directly to concrete items like the medical equipment they’re aiming for now.
The ultimate vision of Top Guns is to bridge the gap between university students and local communities. The way Johal and friends see things, the expansion of Top Guns Charity is an opportunity to give back to the community that supported them during their studies.
Running a charity has also given the four men practical skills that they hope can be translated into their careers. And it’s a way to encourage young people to volunteer, something Johal says many students perceive as being a mundane exercise.
“The experience itself has been invaluable,” says Johal, a North Vancouver native. “The events are a lot of fun. Plus, not a lot of people get to drive from coast to coast in a pink van.” The vehicle was donated and will be sold via a charity auction in St. John’s, Newfoundland, before the four fly back to the West Coast on December 1.
“We wanted it [the charity] to keep going after we graduated,” Johal says. “We don’t want to see it fizzle out. We’re open to hearing from students who’d like to get Top Guns Charity started at their own university.
“The response has been fantastic,” he adds. “Every event has such a good atmosphere and has so much energy; it’s all very positive.”
Sandman Hotel
We have just over a month left on our trip and have been privileged thus far by a sponsorship on behalf of Sandman Hotel. We’d like to extend a thank-you to Sandman for putting us up free of charge and giving us a breather from the pull-out beds, couches, and area rugs which are backs had become so accustomed to. Sadly, we stayed at our last one in Montreal, but it is a luxury that will not be forgotten.
- Sandman Montreal
Sandman Signature Toronto
- Sandman Winnipeg
Capital City
No, not Washington–OTTAWA!
Top Guns Charity just finished up a successful visit to the nation’s capital which included time on the UOttawa campus, a Halloween fundraiser at the Industry Room, and even a tour of the Parliament buildings.
The team had the pleasure of attending a Question Period and seeing the honourable Stephen Harper in action as several political issues were discussed. It was a great experience, to see first hand the inner workings of the country on our Cross-Canada trip. Ottawa is a beautiful city; from campus to nightlife to the gorgeous Parliament buildings and downtown district. We even had the pleasure of meeting students who shared a similar passion to our cause and will be throwing a Top Guns fundraiser in December. We’re looking forward to a thriving Top Guns division in the city of Ottawa!
Event link:
Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, Anticancer
Dr. David Servan-Schreiber 1961-2011
My Story
What I’ve learned in my own journey of 17 years with cancer is that the best way to go on living is to nourish life at all levels of my being: through my meals three times a day, through my walks in nature, through the meaning and purpose in my work, through the flow of love in my relationships, and through the protection of our environment. Science told me that this slows down cancer, but, perhaps even more importantly, it brings to my life, every day, a new light and a new purpose.
Inspired experts and followers post Anticancer research & insight on his Facebook Page & Twitter Account
Canada’s Most Populous Province
So far we’ve been in Ontario for just over 2.5 weeks and have another 4 days to go. Toronto presented many highlights!
Our meeting with Dr. Herbert Ho Ping Kong was very memorable. He is the co-founder of the Toronto General and Western Hospital’s new Centre for Excellence in Education and Practice (CEEP). We toured the office and were introduced to a very special piece of medical equipment named “Harvey”, a cardio-pulmonary simulator in the guise of a full-size mannequin that mimics 30 cardiovascular conditions, everything from mitral regurgitation to atrial septal defect.
Click here for an article on Dr.Herbert Ho Ping Kong
Canada’s Wonderland was life changing! It had been a long time since any of us had been on a ride so we thought we might as well go for one of the country’s highest and fastest. Behold the Behemoth!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150888048355328&set=vb.145006618881575&type=2&theater
Also found in Ontario is one of the world’s natural wonders, Niagra Falls. Those who have seen it know its vast glory, those who haven’t–we highly recommend you put it on your bucket list. Photos, videos, and virtual reality simulators will not do justice to the icy-mist experience of the roaring 51 metre falls.
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