should i use thread.abort to stop code execution?

[Matt]

I'm attempting to load a form, query a database, and update a progress bar
on the same form. I want the form to load and activate/enable the form's
cancel button while the code continues to execute and the progress bar
updates. The user will be able to press the cancel button to stop
execution. Everything works fine, but I've noticed that when I call
thread.Abort, an exception is thrown: "Thread was being aborted."

Is there a better way to accomplish this task? (see code below)

Thanks!

Matt

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVa l sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles MyBase.Load
Me.Show()

thread = New System.Threadin g.Thread(Addres sOf
Me.UpdateCheckL istStatus)

thread.Start()
End Sub

Private Function CreateMessage(B yVal pastDueUsers As UserCollection) As
String
'do something here
End Function

Private Sub UpdateCheckList Status()
try
Dim u As New UserCollection
Dim message As String
Dim email As New anEmail.cStore
Dim recipients(0) As String
Dim pastDueUnderwri ters As New UserCollection
Dim pastDueAssociat es As New UserCollection
Dim pastDueOtherUse rs As New UserCollection

ProgressBar1.St ep = 1

ProgressBar1.Mi nimum = 0

ProgressBar1.Ma ximum = 7

pastdueItem.Upd ateCheckListSta tus(Configurati onSettings.AppS ettings("PastDu eDays"))

ProgressBar1.Pe rformStep()

u =
user.GetAllUser s(Configuration Settings.AppSet tings("PastDueD ays"))

ProgressBar1.Pe rformStep()

For Each user As User In u
If user.hasPastDue Items Then
If user.Title = Title.ASSOCIATE Then
pastDueAssociat es.Add(user)
ElseIf user.Title = Title.UNDERWRIT ER Then
pastDueUnderwri ters.Add(user)
Else
pastDueOtherUse rs.Add(user)
End If


For Each pastdueItem As PastDueItem In user.PastDueIte ms
message += String.Format(" {0} [{1}] {2}",
pastdueItem.Pol icyNumber, pastdueItem.Bus inessType,
pastdueItem.Rec eivedDate.ToStr ing("d")) & vbCrLf
Next

recipients(0) = String.Format(" {0}@anpac.com", user.ID)

'email.StoreMes sage(recipients ,
"UpdateCheckLis tStatus@anpac.c om", "Past Due Items", message)
End If
Next

ProgressBar1.Pe rformStep()

pastDueAssociat es.Sort(UserSor tType.Division)
pastDueUnderwri ters.Sort(UserS ortType.Divisio n)
pastDueOtherUse rs.Sort(UserSor tType.Division)

ProgressBar1.Pe rformStep()

message = CreateMessage(p astDueAssociate s)

If Not message = String.Empty Then
For Each user As User In u
If user.Title = Title.SUPERVISO R Then
'email.StoreMes sage(recipients ,
"UpdateCheckLis tStatus@anpac.c om", "Past Due Items", message)
End If
Next
End If

ProgressBar1.Pe rformStep()

message = String.Empty

message = CreateMessage(p astDueUnderwrit ers)

If Not message = String.Empty Then
For Each user As User In u
If user.Title = Title.SUPERVISO R Then
'email.StoreMes sage(recipients ,
"UpdateCheckLis tStatus@anpac.c om", "Past Due Items", message)
End If
Next
End If

ProgressBar1.Pe rformStep()

message = String.Empty

message = CreateMessage(p astDueOtherUser s)

If Not message = String.Empty Then
'email.StoreMes sage(recipients ,
"UpdateCheckLis tStatus@anpac.c om", "Past Due Items", message)
End If

ProgressBar1.Pe rformStep()
catch ex as exception
msgbox(ex.messa ge)
end try
End Sub

Private Sub btnCancel_Click (ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles btnCancel.Click
thread.Abort()
End Sub