From December 12 to 15 valley residents are asked to participate in a massive cancer study at Greentree Mall. The study is sponsored by Alberta Health Services.
    The Tomorrow Project is a research study, the largest ever undertaken in Alberta, attempting to learn more about what causes cancer. The data from the study could lead to new strategies for prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.
    “The problem with cancer is that it is a complicated set of diseases,” said Dr. Paula Robsen of the Tomorrow Project. “There are a lot of risk factors and we know different cancers have different risk factors.”
    The project is travelling across Alberta, and seeks to sign up 50,000 people. Roughly 18,000 have joined so far.
    “We need 50,000 people to get enough statistical power to figure out the causes of different kinds of cancer,” continued Dr. Robsen. “35 to 69 years old is the range when cancer kills more people than heart disease, accidents, and stroke combined.”
    The project needs a strong turnout of men. At the moment 60 per cent of the participants are women.
    “We need more men to help us out,” said Dr. Robsen. “We know that 1 in 2 men in Alberta will develop cancer in their lifetime, compared to 1 in 3 women.”
    Volunteers are asked to complete a survey that asks questions designed to get an accurate picture of their lifestyle. Measurements, such as weight, height, and blood pressure are then taken. Lastly, participants are asked to provide a sample of blood and urine.
    Volunteers would then be tracked for 50 years through periodic questionnaires.
    The fluid samples are frozen until the volunteer develops a disease. The samples are then thawed and compared with other samples to determine if there are differences in people who develop a disease to those who do not.
    “I urge the residents of Drumheller to sign up for the Tomorrow Project and be instrumental in bringing about a positive change in the health of future of Albertans,” said Mayor Terry Yemen, who has joined the study. “This is a great opportunity, as a community, to participate in something we can all be proud of.”
     “People everywhere have had their lives affected by cancer in one way or another,” said Drumheller-Stettler MLA Jack Hayden, who joined as well. “I fully support a study devoted to finding the causes of this disease and hopefully being able to prevent it one day.”
    Residents who miss the dates that the Tomorrow Project will be in Drumheller can still participate at home by registering online. A questionnaire and saliva kit would be sent through the mail.
    “The information is still highly valuable,” said Dr. Robsen. “We want to make the project as accessible as possible.”
    If interested in joining the study and the fight against cancer the Tomorrow Project is asking residents to sign up, toll free, at 1-877-919-9292 or visit www.in4tomorrow.ca for more information. Questionnaires can be obtained at the Public Library or the Drumheller Health Centre.

    There is excitement in the halls of St. Anthony’s School as the day the move to their new facility draws near.
     After delays and uncertainty, they are fixing on a date in February to take possession of the new school on North Dinosaur Trail.
    “They are working like crazy and it is getting close, so I am happy,” said superintendent of Christ the Redeemer School Division, Michael O’Brien.
    The school was delayed when the original contractor and the school division parted ways. Cana Construction was hired to complete the project.
    “They are a large company that is known for its exemplary standards,” said O’Brien.
    Last Friday, teachers and staff were able to have a tour of the building to see the progress. 
    The modern building is being built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) Silver Standard. This means great care is being undertaken to make the school is environmentally sound.
    There will be no linoleum in the school. Rather the floors are all polished concrete, which eliminates some of the adhesives that may off-gas. The same care is taken in the selection and installation of furniture. Paints that have low volatile organic compounds are being used.
    The ventilation system has been sealed for the duration of the construction to foster clean air.
    “We have to blow the building out for a week (after construction is complete) before we can let anyone in it,” said O’Brien.
    Looking at the building from North Dinosaur Trail, it is designed to mirror the natural hills of the valley. Most will also notice there are very few windows on the south face. The north side however has plenty of windows with a view of the hills. This allows an abundance of natural light into the building, and also contributes to energy efficiency.
    Plumbing is designed to conserve water, and waste from the building is to be recycled.
    The building is also designed to be right sized for whatever size the school may be.  A sizable portion of the school’s classrooms are portable and can be removed when student populations are not enough to fully utilize the school, creating efficiency. If the school grows, more units can be added to accommodate growth. Transitions from portable classrooms to the hallways are seamless, and each portable class has it own mechanical unit.
    The new space will allow the school to expand and improve its programs. A top-notch music room has been built as well as two computer labs, to add to the school’s current portable labs.
    There is open space for art and CTS programs including a wood shop, space for welding, electrical, small engine repair and plumbing. This allows students to get a taste of these trades, and then go on to a post secondary program or a registered apprenticeship program.
    There is a food and fashion lab for home economics courses. The phys-ed department will marvel at a full two-court gym with weight room and bleachers.
    The school also has a learning centre area with space for life skills as well as rooms for undisrupted one-on-one work and group work space.
    O’Brien says they are in the process of firming up dates for the move, hoped to be in February.