Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer: Woodbridge cancer survivors grateful for fundraising efforts

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 14, 2015
By Tim Kelly

The biggest name might be Darryl Sittler when Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer faces off a week from Saturday.

But Tom De Luca will be the star of the event for a pair of Woodbridge cancer survivors.

Joe Montagnese and wife Pina of Vaughan have both gone through the ravages of cancer.

That’s inspired Pina’s brother Tom to pick up his stick and enter the ball-hockey arena to raise money to fight cancer.

De Luca, 44, is low-key about his efforts to battle the disease.

His goal is to raise $1,000 and he had hit the $800 mark in sponsorships by late last week.

“I’m doing this for my sisters and my brother-in-law and I just want to help raise money to help cure cancer,” said De Luca.

“We’re very proud of him and very happy he’s doing this,” said Pina who was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago.

She had two lumpectomies, six rounds of chemotherapy and, just over two years ago, a mastectomy.

“The doctor is saying I’m in remission. I’m trying to take care of myself, trying to eat healthy,” she said.

Joe was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma 12 years ago on his 35th birthday. He said it’s been a year since his last doctor’s visit.

“I feel great now and will follow up with my usual annual appointments,” he said.

The couple has three children; daughter Samantha,18 son VinceAnthony16 and daughter Savannah13.

They can’t say enough about De Luca and the help he’s been throughout the years.

“He’s always been a great guy, really helped out the family a lot. He’s always looking after the kids, always helping around the house,” said Joe, a sales representative for the Vaughan Citizen.

As for Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer, Joe is thrilled at the public response.

“It’s a great cause, we’re all grateful for people like my brother-in-law and for people who have donated.”

Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer takes place at Woodbine in Toronto on Saturday, Sept. 26. For more information and to donate, visit www.teamuptoconquercancer.ca.