In early summer of 2007, a local Elliot Lake legend named Gregor McGregor was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the nasal pharynx, he was 21 years old. It was a very rare form of cancer and at that time, his chances for survival were just slightly better 50/50. Gregor being the great young man that he is, never felt sorry for himself and prepared for the fight of his life. In addition, he learned that he was surrounded by a family and friends that would fight with him every step of the way. Gregor's best friends, Phil Boscariol and Phil Ucci without hesitation, shaved their heads in support of their friend, spent every night of the summer in Gregor's basement (as Gregor was too sick from chemotherapy and radiation to go out) and both vowed not to drink while Gregor could not. These sacrifices were not easy, especially the last one in the case of Phil and Phil.

At the same time, the Ucci family wanted to help Gregor in any way they could. Vince Ucci, having no real skills other than an ability to throw a party decided he would do that as a means to generate money for Gregor's travel costs. At the same time, local business owner and generally amazing person Jane MacDonald was also looking to help Gregor in any way she could. Vince and Jane spoke and now the event that would be known as Gregorpalooza had a venue, Dunlop Lake Lodge.

That same summer, the Ucci mother and sisters, Sheila, Christina and Lisa began organizing a car wash/yard sale. What they did was they organized a day where they would wash cars and sell items that the people of Elliot Lake had donated.

That is how it began, that was the spark. At the time, all organizing parties hoped for the best and just wanted these events to be in any way successful. None of us could have possibly anticipated what was about to happen. That spark erupted into a forest fire of kindness and generosity. The car wash was an incredible success with countless businesses and individual citizens donating not just old junk but things of great worth, things that sold easily. The actual party known as Gregorpalooza sold out. Local musicians entertained all night for free and people came from all over, as far as the Northwest Territories. Moreover, at least 30 people, both male and female left that night hairless in support of Gregor and his fight. All the events that year raised just over $15000 for Gregor but Gregorpalooza did something even more than that. It showed Gregor that he was not alone, not by a long shot. It was an opportunity for the city of Elliot Lake to show its true colors and the people of this city did just that. That first year showed that we in Elliot Lake are one big family and when one of us falls down, we will all come together to help pick them back up.

This is the 16th year of Gregorpalooza and this year it is being held for Dustin Grant.  Dustin was born in Elliot Lake, raised in Serpent River, went to school in Blind River and was actively involved in sports in all of those places.  Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that Dustin has friends and family all over the North Shore.  In 2019, Dustin and his wife Mackenzie moved back to Elliot Lake, the place where they were both born, and decided to start a family of their own.  In that time they have had two children, Beau who is four years old and Vivian who is three.  

I wish that this is where I could end this story.   

Unfortunately, in November of 2021, just two months after Vivien’s birth and at 34 years old, Dustin was diagnosed with Seminoma, a form of testicular cancer.  He underwent an orchiectomy on December 1st, 2021 followed by extensive tests to determine whether the cancer had spread.  Happily, the CT scan and the blood work at that time indicated that the cancer had not spread and that no additional treatment would be needed.  

Again, I wish this is where I could end this story.  

In July of 2024, during his routine six-month check up, it was discovered that the original Seminoma (testicular cancer) had returned and was in two of his abdominal lymph nodes.  In addition to this obviously very upsetting news, Dustin also learned that his path to recovery would have some unique and significant challenges.  The doctors explained that the typical course of action with this type of cancer would be to do radiation.  Unfortunately, Dustin was born with his kidneys fused together leaving him with what is known as a “horseshoe kidney”.  This meant that radiation would not be a safe course of action.  He was then referred to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to see if surgery was a viable option.  Again however, this option was ruled out on account of the risks that his kidney presented.  This left Dustin with chemotherapy as his only option.  

And so, at the end of August of this year, Dustin began his very challenging road to recovery.  His oncology team, based out of Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie recommended an intense and aggressive chemotherapy strategy.  They suggested he do three cycles of 21 day IV chemo treatments.  Anyone who knows Dustin knows he does not back down from a challenge and thus he began his brutal fight against cancer.  

Even though Dustin is an absolute beast, this fight has come with a great deal of challenges.  From a physical perspective, his chemo has come with a plethora of awful side effects. These include constant nausea, hair loss, numbness in his extremities and extreme fatigue to name a few.  This unfortunately has slowed his usually extremely active lifestyle to pretty much a complete halt.  This has been extremely frustrating and challenging for Dustin.  Moreover, he has had to travel back and forth to Barrie for treatment.  This means being away from home, from his family, from friends and above all, away from young children for extended periods of time.  This has perhaps been the most challenging part for Mackenzie and Dustin.  Having to explain to their children why their parents have to be away so much or why “Daddy doesn’t have hair” has been a very difficult and emotional thing to do. 

In addition, this diagnosis and recovery has come with a lot of financial challenges as well.  Since the time of his diagnosis and for months after his treatment is complete, Dustin has and will continue to be unable to work.  Mackenzie has also had to take a great deal of time off to take care of Dustin.  And on top of all of that, the reality is that fighting and beating cancer is expensive.  Travel, food, accommodations all cost a lot of money.  A horrible reality of cancer, especially for us in the North is that it causes you to have to spend money while preventing you from being able to earn it.  For all the reasons stated above, Dustin’s battle with cancer has been and continues to be a very brutal and challenging one.   

I am very happy that this is NOT where I have to end this story.   

This is where we all become a part of Dustin’s story.  This is where the people of Elliot Lake and anyone reading this come in and do what we have done 15 times before.  This is where we show Dustin that he is not in this fight alone.  This is where we show Dustin he has the support of the whole Gregorpalooza army behind him.  So this year, please support Dustin and Gregorpalooza.  Buy a ticket, buy a T-shirt, make a donation and let's show Dustin that ‘people from EL are like one big family’.