OCPA presents cheque to OHF
The Ottawa Carleton Plowmen’s Association (OCPA) presents a $16,000 cheque to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation (OHF) to go towards buying a bench top centrifuge to be used in clinical trials for cancer treatment. From left are Meghan Maack, OHF Community Engagement Development Officer; Sharen Armstrong, OCPA Chair; Carol Stober, OHF Clinical Research Associate; and Don and Leslie Brennan, OCPA. Courtesy photo
The Ottawa Carleton Plowmen’s Association (OCPA) presented a cheque for $16,000 to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation on October 16 as proceeds from the 14th Annual Plowing Fore A Cure Golf Tournament held on July 26, at Anderson Links Golf Club.
The donation was dedicated to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation Cancer Clinic to buy a bench top centrifuge. Guest speaker and Clinical Research Associate Carol Stober of The Ottawa Hospital explained that the specialized equipment purifies DNA from patients participating in clinical trials. Once purified, the DNA can be ‘sequenced’ so that researchers can determine if certain genetic variations may make people more or less likely to respond to a certain therapy. This kind of research is essential for the development of more personalized treatments that are tailored to an individual’s DNA.
The tournament was held in memory of Don Kemp and Gerald Laplante, both of whom were local farmers and OCPA enthusiasts who passed away in the fall of 2016. Don Kemp was an avid plowman, always seeking to learn more about the art of plowing. Gerald Laplante was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for Community Service in Cumberland Township by then Mayor Brian Coburn, a recognition he was extremely proud of – as was the rest of the community.
Next year’s golf tournament is scheduled for July 25, 2018 at Anderson Links.
