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.