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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday December 3, 2008 - 15 www.carcreditfreedom.com www.carcreditfreedom.com www.carcreditfreedom.com www.carcreditfreedom.com www.carcreditfreedom.com www.carcreditfreedom www.carcreditfreedom.com Defending against breast cancer By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Kyle Kokotailo, a 15-year-old high school student and local hockey player is all tied up in pink these days -- literally. The Oakville Minor Midget AA Rangers defenceman is as busy off the ice as on as he tries to tie up other hockey players -- in fact, entire teams -- in pink. At first blush, that may appear to be a difficult task, but Kokotailo is finding that hockey players are developing an affinity for pink -- for all the right reasons. It was when a close family friend -- a hockey mom -- was dealing with the sudden appearance of breast cancer -- and her family was struggling to cope -- that Kokotailo began thinking about what he could do to help. What he came up with was Hockey Players Against Breast Cancer -- a charity he's hoping to incorporate -- and his campaign is Lace Up Against Cancer. Kokotailo, a Grade 11 student at Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School, is selling pink skate laces -- at $5 a pair -- with proceeds going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. He began selling the laces this fall, about mid-October and he sold out. He has another 500 pair on order. The response was not expected. "I went into it not expecting that much, but as soon as I say it's for fighting breast cancer, whole teams are hoping aboard. My team was talking about it in the dressing room and a lot of teams have been responding," said Kokotailo. The Oakville youth said he felt really proud of his effort a few weeks ago when he was invited to attend a minor atom game. The teams were eight and nine-year-old players from Oakville and Burlington and there is a fierce rivalry between their teams. LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER IN THE PINK: Kyle Kokotailo lacing up his hockey skates with pink laces. "Both teams showed up wearing pink laces," laughed Kokotailo. "They may hate each other, but they both wore pink laces." Kokotailo said he was a bystander in a battle with breast cancer and saw how tough it was for the woman and her family. "It just goes to show how a disease like this can throw your world upside down," said Kokotailo. The youth is described as "a young man with a big heart who is fighting for a good cause" on the MOHA (Minor Oakville Hockey Association) website where his efforts are being communicated to insiders. The MOHA board was supportive of Kokotailo's effort so MOHA has arranged to help sell the pink laces at its office. "Let's all help Kyle raise money for a great cause. Please purchase a pair of "Pinks laces" for $5. It would be nice to see all teams in pink laces supporting this cause," reads the website. The vice president of rep hockey, Nancy Brookes, posted Kokotailo's story to all coaches within the MOHA purview ... both Ranger and Hornet. As well, she forwarded the story to the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), and the story is on its website for province-wide distribution. What has surprised Kokotailo is that his orders are coming from entire teams rather than mostly individuals. Teams from Barrie, Guelph, Clarington, Oshawa and Welland have already purchased laces. "It keeps me pretty busy. I'm getting two or three orders a day. To be honest, I get home from school, answer e-mails for about an hour, do homework, play hockey or something, answer more e-mails and that's it," said Kokotailo. There was even a challenge from the Burlington Eagles to beat the Oakville teams in the number of laces ordered. Kokotailo can be reached at hpagainstcancer@gmail.com. "We are very proud of him for undertaking, on his own initiative, the very worthwhile cause," said Kokotailo's dad, Kevin. Kokotailo is heading toward selling 1,000 pairs of laces. "It could, quite honestly, just keep going," said his dad. "We are immensely proud of him, but the accolades he receives with every order for laces from team all over the Greater Toronto area are all-speaking," said Kevin. FINANCING AVAILABLE! 2007 HYUNDAI TUCSON GL Automatic, 4 dr., 6, Silver exterior, Black interior, Alarm, AM/FM stereo. air, 28,576km. Stk.#U5521 $ 17,995 SOLD $ 19,495 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GLS AWD, automatic, 5 dr., AM/FM stereo air, alloy wheels, Steel Blue exterior, Grey interior, 42,891km. Stk.#U5546 SOLD $ 11,495 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GL All wheel drive, automatic, ABS, AM/FM CD. Stk.#U5666 SOLD $ 11,495 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE FWD,automatic, air conditioning, sidesteps and pushbar, blue. Stk.#5523 Artists help fight back Here is the perfect gift for those hard to buy for people on your list! Oakville Street Names & Landmarks is a beautiful full colour, hard cover book full of interesting Oakville stories, photographs and history. Sure to be a hit with anyone who has an Oakville connection. $ Continued from page 12 the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children and spent the day on the eighth floor's pediatric oncology ward and the children who were feeling up to the job, painted some 25 pieces of art. "The youngest was two," said Scrocco. When Hanna heard about the effort -- Scrocco frequents Ristorante Julia -- she was kind enough to offer the exhibition and reception, said Scrocco. Some of the young children's "scribbles" are works of art by young artists ripe with the emotions of battling cancer and fighting for their lives -- and apparently that is being appreciated by those who purchase them. The fundraising goal this year for the art donations and fundraiser is $60,000, said Scrocco. "To know someone wants to buy their art, you can just see the magic in the children's eyes," said Scrocco. It also makes the children proud that they have even more of a hand in the fight against cancer. "There is a seven-yearold boy who knows he's an artist. Who knows how many years he will be on this Earth, but he knows, today, that he is an artist," said Scrocco. The young artists are invited to the Dec. 3 reception, though many will not be able to leave the hospital. However, Scrocco said their parents will be there and public is invited. Ristorante Julia is at 312 Lakeshore Rd. (at Trafalgar Road). For more information, visit www.hatsoff2kidz.com. 10,995 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GL Automatic, Black exterior, Grey interior, roof rack, AM/FM, stereo, air alloy wheels. 77,308km. Stk.#U5587 Buy 3 get a 4th book FREE! Special price if you order online $35.95 each, or $ www.oakvillestreetbook.com 10,995 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GL Automatic, 4 dr., Red exterior, Grey interior, alarm, alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft, CD player. 77,391km. Stk.#U5501 Christmas Table-Cover Sale Celebrate the holidays with feasts and with fables. But don't let the festivities ruin your tables. A glass table cover will protect their veneer And keep them perfect for the New Year! all 5-6 mm clear, bronze or grey glass table covers. Polished edges only. LD SO $ 10,995 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GL Auto, 4 dr., Blue exterior, Grey interior, AM/FM stereo, dual air bag, alloy wheels. 62,473km. Stk.#U5515 $ 10,995 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Auto, 4 dr., AM/FM stereo, air, alloy wheels, CD player, Blue. 68,927km. Stk.#U5633 20% off (Heavy glass, speciality edge-work and tempered glass not included) included Sale runs from December 1, 2008 ­ December 14, 2008 Delivery available upon request at an extra charge c 550 Bronte Rd., Oakville 905.827.2951 2500 South Service Rd W. Oakville · 905-845-7791 pre-ownedvehicles@hyundaiofoakville.ca **Some restrictions apply. *Prices are plus applicable taxes.