(Chelsea Update would like to thank Jen Eyer for the information and photo in this story.)
Apprentices from the Ann Arbor Area Joint Electrical Training Center presented a check for $20,000 to officials from the University of Michigan’s Rogel Cancer Center recently.
Led by apprentices from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 252, “Union 4 Life” raises funds for cancer research through sponsorships and events held throughout the year.
Union 4 Life was founded in 2012 by IBEW 252 apprentices, and has raised a total of $111,000 for cancer research at U-M.
The group has donated $20,000 for each of the past four years.
“This is for a great cause, something that unfortunately has affected all of us, or will someday,” said Ryan Husse, business manager for IBEW 252. “The research being done at U of M is so important, and we’re proud to be even a small part of that.”
About 25 people gathered at the Ann Arbor Electrical Joint Apprentice Training Center (AAEJATC) in Chelsea on to celebrate the fundraising effort.
Dr. Lynn Henry, Breast Oncology Disease Lead at the Rogel Cancer Center, said Union 4 Life’s donation will help fund research into new ways to monitor for breast cancer.
“We are so appreciative of the IBEW 252 apprentices for all they’ve done,” Henry said. “These funds can provide seed money for junior researchers to run pilot studies that lead to us winning federal grants.”
AAEJATC Training Director John Salyer thanked the apprentices, this year’s chairperson Ken Eitel, and all the partners.
Salyer said the charity started seven years ago as a way to “do good works, promote union brotherhood, and also to foster leadership among union electrical apprentices.” That’s why the effort is apprentice-led.
“My mother was a breast cancer survivor, so I know from personal experience that the work they do at Rogel Cancer Center is vitally important,” Salyer said. “I’m proud of all of the apprentices, especially Ken Eitel for leading the effort this year.”
Union 4 Life partners include Madison Electric, A.F. Smith Electric, Vogelzang Law, Utilities Instrumentation Service, U.S. Local 190, GLR Advanced Recycling, Laborers Local 499, University of Michigan Credit Union, Hopp Electric, Conlin, McKenney & Philbrick, A & N Electric, Cochran Electric, Huron Valley Electric, Donald J. Hickey & Associates, Vedder Electric, Operating Engineers Local 324, Ashcott Electrical, and Laibe Electric / Technology.
For more information, please visit: Facebook.com/Union4LifeCharity and www.aaejatc.org/.
