COLD LAKE - On June 22, the Cold Lake Marina will transform into the launch point of a unique underwater mission, Diving for Cancer.
The first-time event, organized by Cold Lake Divers, blends scuba diving with fundraising, bringing together divers from across Alberta to clean up local waters while raising money for cancer research.
The event will support the Lakeland Cancer Crushers in reaching their $2,500 fundraising goal to participate in the Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer, which raised over $7 million last year, with all proceeds staying in Alberta to support local cancer patients.
The Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer is a two-day cycling event that brings together thousands of riders to raise funds for cancer research and care through the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
This year’s event marks a shift in focus for the group.
“Last year we did Diving for Hunger. We raised the funds for the local food bank,” said Stuart Dunnill, a member of Cold Lake Divers. “And we removed debris from the Cold Lake Marina . . . So for the last couple of years, my buddy has done the Enbridge [Tour Alberta for Cancer] and we did it together last year. We're doing it again this year, and we thought [the cleanup] would be a great thing to . . . raise funds for cancer.”
The group’s mission is simple - give back.
“Every year we're going to try and do a different cause. So next year we'll probably do it for the SPCA.”
The cleanup effort will target the marina’s underwater junkyard.
“Last year, we removed two truck engines, a differential, a bumper, 23 tires, and assorted garbage,” Dunnill said. “This year is going to be very similar, except the truck engine this year is going to have a transmission attached to it.”
This year’s dive will also include a challenging technical recovery. “There's another engine down there. So, it's going to be a technical dive, so I'll be leading that dive to remove that one.”
About 15 to 20 divers from across Alberta, including Edmonton and Fort McMurray, are expected to join the efforts. The Cold Lake Divers group is a casual team of enthusiasts who organize dives, with no fees involved.
Dunnill, a professional diver and scuba instructor, has been at the forefront of the efforts. “In the last six years I became a scuba instructor, professional diver. So I've been training people to be able to do these dives. I used to be a Navy rescue swimmer,” he shared.
Supporters can help in several ways, including buying raffle tickets for $2 each, Prizes such as a paddle board, a bike rack, and a “discover scuba for two” experience will be up for grabs.
The raffle draw is set for April 30 and will take place at the Cold Lake Brewery. One hundred per cent of the ticket sales will go directly toward supporting cancer-related causes.
There’s also an online silent auction starting May 1 for an open water scuba course.
“If somebody wants to get into scuba diving, it's a great way to get in."
On dive day, everyone is invited to the marina for a fundraising barbecue.
“The 22nd of June is our dive day, and we're going to have a barbecue that day. They can come down, buy a hamburger, a hot dog, a pop."
From body recoveries with the Alberta Underwater Search Team, to lake cleanups and charity dives, Dunnill sees it all as a way to give back.
