Q: 
 

How did the DCAuction on the YL Country sign and the TELUS COUNTRY FEVER V.I.P. package turn out?
 

A:

Up for bid was the YL Country sign that hung on the side of the building for ten years; also as part of our "Heritage" package was Two reserved seating Weekend passes to Telus Country Fever at Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie, June 29th till July 1st. The premium ticket package and VIP camping pass is worth $500.00 and the sign is priceless.  Bidding ended at Noon on Friday June 1st. All money raised goes towards DCA research.

Congratulations to Joan Setz who made the highest bid of $275 .
 

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Q: 
 

How did the DCAuction on the Millennium Project Quilt turn out?
 

A:

A Queen sized Millennium project Quilt donated by Caribou Cresting. 
There are over a million stitches of embroidery and features an Alberta wildlife design.  Bidding closed at noon on June 15th. All money raised goes towards DCA research.

Congratulations to Roberta Hawryluk of Black Gold Drilling who made the highest bid of $900 .
 

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Q: 
 

How did the DCAuction on the A&W Block Party turn out?
 

A:

A Chubby Chicken Block Party for you and 40 of your friends. Courtesy of the Peace River A&W.
Delicious Chubby Chicken, A&W legendary root beer, salads, fries... all the fixins. Catered by A&W and YL Country & KIX.  Bidding closed at noon on June 29th. All money raised goes towards DCA research.

Congratulations to Cindy of Best Truck Service who made the highest bid of $400 .
 

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Q: 
 

How did the DCAuction on the IGA/Wild Rose Guest Ranch Catered BBQ package turn out?
 

A:

A wonderful catered Barbeque courtesy of the IGA Supercenter. Enough food - including marinated rib-eye steaks - for 20 people, served at the beautiful Wild Rose Guest Ranch. This auction item also includes an overnight stay at the Wild Rose Guest Ranch nestled in the Peace River Valley.  Bidding closed at noon on July 13th . All money raised goes towards DCA research.

Congratulations to United Carpet of Peace River who made the highest bid of $1,900 .
 

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Q: 
 

How did the DCAuction on the Ultra-Helicopter with an overnight stay at the Peace Valley Guest Ranch package turn out?
 

A:

Experience the colours of the Peace River Valley from the earth and the sky with an Ultra Helicopter Tour with an overnight stay at the Peace Valley Guest Ranch.

When you land, hop on the back of a horse for a trail ride, then settle down for a home cooked meal. Afterwards, retire for a quiet evening nestled in the bosom of the North's natural surroundings. Wake up to a one of a kind sunrise and breakfast, before boarding the helicopter home.

Bidding closed at noon on July 13th . All money raised goes towards DCA research.

Congratulations to Ramona Thoma of Nomad Electrical Contractors Ltd. who made the highest bid of $1,000.
 

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Q: 
 

How did the DCAuction on the Bunch of Bison turn out?
 

A:

The 'Bunch of Bison' online auction for DCA.

The Majestic Bison Ranch just outside of Peace River is donating a 600 pound bison , cut and wrapped for you by Johnny's Sausage and Abatoire. Ready your freezer for approximately $1000 worth of Premium Alberta Bison !

Bidding closed at noon on August 10th . All money raised goes towards DCA research.

Congratulations to Marsha of Tanne Appliances who made the highest bid of $1,380.

 

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Q: 
 

How did the DCAuction on the Gravel and V.I.P. Movie Pass turn out?
 

A:

TWO ITEMS go on the DCA auction block this time . . . 

#1 : If you want to re-do your driveway, fill in nasty pot holes, redesign your backyard, paths or deck, then this item really 'rocks' and it's just a 'stone's throw away'...
Weberville Aggregate Sand and Gravel Sales has donated 525 YARDS of GRAVEL (3 inch minus), valued at $5,000 !!! (Does not include delivery.)

#2 : See all the movies on the big screen with a guest for an entire year...
Now's your chance to enjoy special treatment with the Cinema 72 V.I.P. Movie Pass, valued at over $1200.

Bidding closed at noon August 24th on both items. All money raised goes towards DCA research.

Congratulations to Brett Meston who made the highest bid of $4,850 on item #1.
Congratulations to Belle Marketing who made the highest bid of $650 on item #2.
  

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Q: 
 

How did the DCAuction on the Entertainment Package and the Power Bleaching turn out?
 

A:

TWO ITEMS go on the DCA auction block this time . . . 

#1 : A tremendous entertainment package...
Two floor seats to the Blueman Group in Grande Prairie on September 25th.
PLUS...Two tickets to the final four performances of the Canadian Finals Rodeo November 7th-11th in Edmonton including two nights accommodations .
PLUS...$200 worth of gas vouchers to help you get to these outstanding events....
This Entertainment Package is valued at more than $1000.00

#2 : Have a Whiter, Brighter Smile...
Doctor Winston Wing of Wing Dental Center has donated a Power Bleaching worth $1000.
This procedure is the most effective way to whiten your teeth, hassle-free and in just three hours you'll have a brand new smile from Wing Dental Center.

Bidding on both items closed at noon on  September 7th . All money raised goes towards DCA research. 

Congratulations to Laurie Girrard who made the highest bid of $950 on item #1.
Congratulations to Judy Kjemhus who made the highest bid of $1,050 on item #2.
 

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Q: 
 

How did the DCAuction on the Autographed Snowbirds Print and the Tim Horton's Donut Coffee Auction turn out?
 

A:

TWO ITEMS go up on the DCA auction block this time around as well . . .

#1 : Bring back memories of the 2007 Air Show...
A beautiful  2007 Framed Print of the Canadian Snowbirds that has been autographed by all the pilots. Send your bid in to get this priceless print and memory on your wall.

#2 : DCA for D.C.A. from Tim Horton's...
It's the Donut Coffee Auction for DCA. Tim Horton's has donated 2 Coffees and 2 Donuts every day for a year !! Get the V.I.P treatment at Tim Horton's by being the top bidder.

Bidding on both items closed noon   September 21st . All money raised goes towards DCA research.

Congratulations to Daryl Presakarchuk who made the highest bid of $210 on item #1.
Congratulations to  Susan Jonk who made the highest bid of $405 on item #2.
 

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Q: 
 

How did the DCAuction on the Sawridge Inn Party for 20 and 2 Minute Coop Shopping Spree/Eastern Star Bison Package turn out?
 

A:

ANOTHER DOUBLE DCA AUCTION this time around . . .

#1 : Make your next big party the BIGGEST EVER...
Here's your chance for a FULL Evening OUT at the Peace River Sawridge Inn...
A 5 COURSE MEAL & SAWRIDGE WINE for 20 of your friends PLUS...
Free POOL in Sharks after dinner PLUS...
A Door Prize draw for an evening in the President's Suite with Champaigne

#2 : Feel like the store is yours PLUS take home a whole adult Bison (cut & wrapped)...
It's a TWO MINUTE SHOPPING SPREE up to $1500 at the Peace River CO-OP PLUS...
A WHOLE ADULT BISON from Eastern Star Bison , cut and wrapped.

Bidding on both items closed at noon on October 5th . All money raised goes towards DCA research.

Congratulations to Brian Reading who made the highest bid of $1,800 on item #1.
Congratulations to Tara Harbaruk who made the highest bid of $1,000 on item #2.
 

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Q: 
 

How did the DCAuction on the Hockey Cards and NAIT Voucher turn out?
 

A:

IT WAS A TRIPLE DCA AUCTION  . . .

#1 : Hockey Fans REJOICE...
A FRAMED ORIGINAL SET of 05/06 SEASON MCDONALD'S UPPER DECK ICE HEROES HOCKEY CARDS!!! You'll get all your favourite players like Mario Lemieux, Martin Bodeur, Jason Smith, and many more. (Valued at approximately $1,000.)

#2 : Hockey Fans REJOICE FURTHER YET...
A FRAMED ORIGINAL SUBSET of 05/06 SEASON MCDONALD'S UPPER DECK ICE HEROES HOCKEY CARDS!!! You'll get all your favourite players like Wayne Gretsky, Joe Sakic, Steve Yzerman and many more. (Valued at approximately $1,000.)

#3 : Prepare for success and get educated for the real world...
NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) has donated a $1,000 VOUCHER TOWARDS TUITION this coming winter term at any NAIT NORTHERN CAMPUS !!!

Bidding on all items closed at noon on October 19th . All money raised goes towards DCA research.

Congratulations to Caribou Cresting who made the highest bid of $900 on item #1.
Congratulations to Caribou Cresting who made the highest bid of $900 on item #2.
Congratulations to Nancy Smith who made the highest bid of $800 on item #3.
  

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Q: 
 

How did the DCAuction for the basement, deep well system and storm tickets turn out?
 

A:

IT WAS ANOTHER TRIPLE . . .

#1 : Digging of a Basement...
If you are contemplating a new home in the Grimshaw/Peace River area, Dalyn Contracting will dig your basement for you.
This item is valued at $1,500 !!!

#2 : Deep Well Pump System...
NorAlta Rewind and DCA bring you a Brand New Deep Pump System
A 230 volt 4 inch submersible pump, a half HP 230 volt control box, a 35 gallon pressure tank, pump cable, drop pipe and a 1" X 10" tank tee kit. THE WORKS!!!  (installation not included)
This package has a retail value of $2,000 !!!

#3 : Catch the Storm, EVERY TIME...
T. T. Oilfield Services in Mayerthorpe has donated 30 GAME PASSES to any of the Grande Prairie Storm Regular season home games. You'll never miss the game, or you and your friends will be able to enjoy the games in good company because these tickets are good for all the Storm home-game action.

Bidding on all items closed at noon on November 2nd. All money raised goes towards DCA research.

Congratulations to Greg & Robin Berreth of Circle B Ventures who made the highest bid of $1,100 on item #1.
Congratulations to Keith of Northern Digital Services who made the highest bid of $1,000 on item #2.
Congratulations to Ian McGillis who made the highest bid of $310 on item #3.
 

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Q: 
 

How did the DCAuction on the Basement Digging, Electrical Srevice and Safety Package turn out?
 

A:

IT WAS ANOTHER TRIPLE DCA AUCTION  . . .

#1 : Digging it up for DCA...
Dave Mobile Tire has donated the labour for Dalyn Contracting to dig your basement. If you're planning on a new home, throw DCA, Dave Mobile Tire and Dalyn Contracting in the mix.

#2 : This item is ELECTRIFYING...
J-Wire Electric Ltd. has donated $1,000 worth of electrical work, which includes labour and parts. (Does not include fixtures.)

#3 : Keep it safe...
Keep it safe with Peace Safety and Environmental Training and DCA. Up for bids is a Safety Package for the woodsman. Get chainsaw protective pants, ear protection, helmet, safety eyewear, an axe and a chainsaw from Rentco. This safety package is valued at approximately $600.

Bidding on all items closed at noon on November 16th. All money raised goes towards DCA research.

Congratulations to Julie Gagnon who made the highest bid of $1,250 on item #1.
Congratulations to Karen Stephens who made the highest bid of $550 on item #2.
Congratulations to Jack Hanson who made the highest bid of $650 on item #3.
 

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Q: 
 

How did the DCAuction on the Signature Washburn Guitar turn out?
 

A:

IT'S A COLLECTABLE WASHBURN SIGNATURE GUITAR !!!

This SIGNATURE GUITAR is donated by CUSTOM COMPUTERS & MUSIC in Peace River and has been autographed by your favourite artists from TELUS COUNTRY FEVER and PEACEFEST.

All your favourites like...
PRISM, NAZARETH, EMERSON DRIVE, THE POVERTY PLAINSMEN, THE WILKINSONS, THE HEADPINS, DARRYL WORLEY, DARBY MILLS, JULIE ROBERTS, LORRIE MORGAN and MORE...

Bidding closed at noon on November 30th. All money raised goes towards DCA research.

Congratulations to Ron at Falher IDA who made the highest bid of $1,000.

 

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Q: 
 

How is the fundraising going?
 

A:

We are striving to raise a total of $250,000 to help in the research that they are doing at the University of Alberta toward determining with absolute certainty that DCA is effective and safe in patients with cancer. Studies involving thousands of patients with different cancers, from different hospitals and different countries have to be conducted. Often, direct comparisons of one experimental treatment with other standard therapies are required. These large-scale trials will take years to complete and will require hundreds of millions of dollars.

In order to see how close we are to our goal of $250,000 toward what may be an affordable and successful means of battling a terrible desease, we will keep a running total posted on this website.
 

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Q: 
 

I missed Mody's most recent interview with Doctor Michelakis. Is there any way I can listen to it?
 

A:

YL Country's Dan Mody, had the pleasure of a follow-up conversation with Doctor Michelakis, who is heading up the DCA research team at the University of Alberta. This interview aired mid-September, 2007, on YL Country. If you missed it, or would like to hear it again, you can listen to it here.

This interview has been split into 2 sections for your listening convenience.

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Q: 
 

What is DCA and how does it work?
 

A:

DCA is a drug that “boosts” the function of mitochondria. Mitochondria are the energy-producing units within cells and they regulate the energy production in the body (i.e. the metabolism). Cancer somehow suppresses the function of mitochondria and by achieving this it gains “eternal life”. We believe that cancer cells die when the mitochondria are “normalized” or boosted by DCA. Because these effects in mitochondria occur only in cancer and not normal cells, we believe that DCA will not have the significant side effects (hair loss, nausea, heart failure etc) that many standard chemotherapies have.

Basically, DCA reactivates the energy-producing organelles of cells (mitochondria), and allows the cancerous cells to commit suicide (apoptosis).

Here's what happens...

Many types of cancer cells shut down the cell's mitochondria, the primary energy producing parts of a cell. By doing so, the cancer cell also shuts down the cell suicide mechanism, known as apoptosis, which is initiated by the mitochondria. The research team of Doctors Michelakis and Archer of the University of Alberta found that DCA opens up the ‘channels’ on the membrane of those mitochondria, essentially waking them up. The functioning mitochondria can then initiate the suicide process.

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Q: 
 

Can my doctor order DCA?
 

A:

Your doctor cannot prescribe DCA since it is currently not approved for use in patients with cancer. DCA is not available in pharmacies. The only way that DCA will become available for use in patients with cancer is under appropriately performed clinical trials and supervision by appropriate regulatory agencies like Health Canada or the Food and Drug Administration in the USA.

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Q: 
 

Can I find and use DCA on my own?
 

A:

Absolutely not! This can actually be dangerous. For example, DCA can be found in stores selling chemicals to scientific laboratories. Often, DCA is sold in a form that is very acidic and if consumed could cause serious or catastrophic complications. Even for use in animals DCA often has to be processed with chemicals to correct its acidity etc. In addition, the dose in patients with cancer, or its interactions with other medications that cancer patients might be on, are completely unknown.

Often, patients with terminal cancer might feel they are in a desperate situation and might be “willing to try anything”. It needs to be remembered that the inappropriate use of these drugs might cause catastrophic complications and make the situation even worse. In addition, if complications occur, because this was not done under the supervision of a physician, this problem will not become known and other patients might be exposed to a risk that could have been prevented.

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Q: 
 

Can DCA treat my cancer?
 

A:

DCA was shown to have beneficial effects in lung and breast cancer as well as a form of brain cancer (glioblastoma). These effects occurred in human cancers growing in the test tube. In the case of lung cancer, tumors growing in rats decreased in size after the rats were given DCA. The effects on other kinds of tumors are completely unknown. However, because mitochondria appear to be suppressed in many different forms of cancer, we speculate that DCA will have beneficial effects in other types of cancer as well. Once again, in order to determine if DCA is effective (and safe) in patients with cancer, appropriately conducted clinical trials are absolutely required.

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Q: 
 

When will the clinical trials start?
 

A:

In order to be absolutely certain that DCA is effective and safe in patients with cancer, studies involving thousands of patients with different cancers, from different hospitals and different countries have to be conducted. Often, direct comparisons of one experimental treatment with other standard therapies are required. These large-scale trials will take years to complete and will require hundreds of millions of dollars.

However, smaller and more focused trials can occur much faster. The funding required for such trials is less (in the range of hundreds of thousands of dollars) and the procedures are easier than in drugs that have never before tried in any human being. Still, protocols of such trials need to be approved by local and federal agencies and funding secured.

A number of physicians and scientists from the University of Alberta and the Alberta Cancer Board have already started working together and have received commitment from the leadership of these institutions to help make these trials happen as soon as possible. We hope that initiation of trials will occur shortly, i.e. within a few months. We plan to post our progress towards this goal on this website.

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Q: 
 

How can I help?
 

A:

We appreciate your interest and support, and we have been touched by your kind words. We also understand the agony in many of you that you see your loved ones in desperate need of a treatment or a hope. We have been working on this for at least 2 years now and we will continue to work hard in order to determine whether this drug can actually benefit human beings with cancer. Your continued support of research in general is greatly appreciated by all of us in this field and it is important since a great deal of funding comes directly from the people (tax payer money coming to us through federal funding agencies like CIHR or charities). If you want to directly support this effort (that at this time receives no financial support from “for profit” organizations, pharmaceutical or private companies), you can do so in this web site.

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Q: 
 

How can I make a donation?
 

A:

We appreciate your interest and support, and we have been touched by your kind words. If you want to directly support this effort (that at this time receives no financial support from “for profit” organizations, pharmaceutical or private companies), you can do so by clicking one of the links below or by visiting the Official University of Alberta DCA Website .

DONATIONS

To mail or drop off your donation: CLICK HERE TO PRINT THE DONATION FORM (Adobe Acrobat PDF) To make your donation on-line: CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION ONLINE When prompted, select DCA Cancer Research Fund Donations can be mailed or dropped off at: Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry Room 2J1 Walter C Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada  T6G 2R7 Please note on your cheques that you would like your donations to support Dr. Michelakis’ cancer research. If you would like to speak to someone about making a gift please contact: Holli Bjerland, Sr. Development Officer University of Alberta, Department of Medicine 2F1.26 Walter C Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre Edmonton, AB CANADA T5G 2R7 Fax: (780) 407-3340 E-mail: holli.bjerland@ualberta.ca

Everything in the above dark-blue square is identical to the information found on the Official University of Alberta DCA Website . Donation links will open documents or forms which reside on that site.

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