Local resident collects 'Cans for Cancer'
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer

John Mullane uses his "buggy" to collect cans in his crusade "Cans for Cancer." PHOTO/ANGELA GREINER

Hudson - In good weather, it is not uncommon to see John Mullane cruising around on his "buggy" picking up cans. Two years and a half ago, after retiring from a 34-year career as a mechanical inspector at the Entwistle Company, John decided to dedicate his time to collecting money for the Jimmy Fund.

He has named his ongoing cancer fund-raising campaign "Cans for Cancer."

Born and raised in Hudson, John has spent all of his life restricted to a wheel- chair or crutches due to cerebral palsy, a disease that causes physical disability.

After experiencing the loss of several family members and watching his sister battle a brain tumor that is currently in remission, John felt compelled to find a way to help. He said his philosophy is that if you can help someone else, then you should try to.

"Even when you are having your own problems, if you focus on helping others, it makes you feel better," he said. "It is the best thing you can do in life."

With his crutches strapped on the back of his buggy and cans hanging from his mirror, John canvasses the town. One nickel at a time, his eff orts have already raised $5,055.

"It is not just me and my buggy," John said. "I have had so much help."

In John's long list of gratitude for the success of "Cans for Cancer," he said he is most grateful for the help of his 86-year-old mother, Evelyn Mullane. She does most of the driving to the recycling center.

"I think this is great," Evelyn said. "I have always been involved with the community and I think that both John and I have the same nature."

Local companies like Entwistle and Hudson Light and Power have been very supportive, donating all the cans collected on-site to John's campaign. His garage is often stuffed with cans ready to be sorted.

Other organizations like Bacon's Spirits, a local liquor store, have recently joined the eff orts, raising $734, John said. The business has set up a donation site for Cans for Cancer at the redemption center for anyone who wants to donate their can deposits.

John has been overwhelmed by the support of strangers and the community.

"This is remarkable and the people are still responding," he said. "… I'm getting pretty wellknown around town."

The money is currently in a CD fund at Citizens Bank. John, who is a Red Sox fan, opted to donate the money to the Jimmy Fund, which the Sox also support.

"This is ongoing," he said. "I hope to one day present a check to the Boston Red Sox."

Community members occasionally stop to see if he needs a hand as he moves through the bushes along the side of the road or at the baseball park.

"Sometimes I have to get out of my chair to reach the cans, so people will stop thinking I am stuck and need help," John said. "It was about a year ago, and this young fellow stopped to help me. He had just come back from receiving his first chemotherapy treatment at UMass. After I told him what I was doing, he went to his car and came back with $20."