Volunteers needed for April Daffodil Month
TORONTO, Feb. 18. 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Cancer Society urges Canadians to join the fight against cancer by signing up as a volunteer during Daffodil Month in April – a crucial fundraising time for the organization.
"By volunteering just a few hours of your time during our Daffodil Month you will be saving lives and helping people who are living with cancer," says Pamela Fralick, President and CEO, Canadian Cancer Society. "This small contribution of time makes a big difference."
Volunteers are needed for various activities including selling daffodil pins and flowers in their communities and canvassing door to door. Last year, 57,000 Canadians volunteered during Daffodil Month, and the Society is hoping to see even more Canadians signing on this year.
It was Conor Larkin's experience with cancer that motivated him to sign up as a Daffodil Month volunteer. In 2009, he lost his mother to cancer. "She was my best friend," says Conor who lives in Vancouver, BC. "She was strong and never gave up, even when she was ill. She inspired me to reach out to help others dealing with the disease." Last year, Conor was part of a team that sold daffodil pins and collected donations at various locations in Vancouver. He plans to do it again this year. "I believe that people fighting cancer need our support. They can't do it without our help."
Dan Baxter from Thunder Bay, Ontario volunteered for the Daffodil Campaign because he wanted to help the organization that had helped him. Dan was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008 and today he is a thriving survivor who happily volunteers for the Society. He contributes about 25 hours of time during the April campaign. He has sold so many bundles of daffodils and pins that he earned the nickname 'Daffodil Dan.' "It takes 3 seconds to ask, 'Have you got your daffodil pin yet?'," says Dan. "If you don't ask, you don't get. And I'm out there to raise as much money as possible. I want to do whatever I can so the Society can help others in the same way they helped me."
Money raised during Daffodil Month helps patients living with cancer and their families in communities across Canada. Donations fund life-saving research, support services and other important work that means fewer Canadians will be touched by this disease.
Current statistics show that the number of new cancer cases continues to rise steadily as the Canadian population grows and ages. Almost half of all Canadians are expected to develop cancer in their lifetimes and it is the leading cause of death in this country. While these statistics are sobering, progress has been made against cancer. Today, over 60% of Canadians diagnosed with cancer will survive at least 5 years after their diagnosis. In the 1940s, survival was about 25%.
"We're on an exciting threshold," says Fralick. "By volunteering for the Society you will be helping build a future where Canadians will no longer have to fear the word cancer, but we need your help to make it a reality."
To find out more about volunteering, go to cancer.ca/daffodil or contact your local Canadian Cancer Society office.
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. Thanks to our donors and volunteers, the Society has the most impact, against the most cancers, in the most communities in Canada. Building on our progress, we are working with Canadians to change cancer forever. Make your gift today at cancer.ca.
Website: cancer.ca/daffodil
Twitter: @cancersociety
Facebook: CanadianCancerSociety
Hashtags: #DaffodilMonth, #volunteer
SOURCE Canadian Cancer Society (National Office)
Christine Harminc, Manager, Communications, 416 934-5340, [email protected]
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