Volunteers urgently needed for Daffodil Month

Lack of people power puts spring fundraising tradition at risk

CALGARY, March 19, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Cancer Society is in desperate need of more volunteers to help bring brightness to the fight for life this spring.

Daffodil Month is quickly approaching and the Society currently does not have enough volunteers to sell fresh daffodils, a long-standing and popular fundraising tradition that Albertans and Northerners look forward to every year.

"We need 400 more Albertans and Northerners to volunteer to help sell flowers or we risk losing critical funding for life-saving cancer research and caring support programs for people living with cancer," says Shayenne Herder, Daffodil Month coordinator with the Canadian Cancer Society, Alberta/NWT Division.

"I can tell you from personal experience that volunteering just a few hours of your time during Daffodil Month is an extremely rewarding opportunity that makes a difference in the lives of people living with cancer."

The first time Herder wore the Society's daffodil pin and volunteered to help sell fresh flowers was the same year she lost her father to lung cancer. He was only 48 years old.

"I felt lost after my dad passed away but I found direction with the Society's volunteer program," Herder says. "I was able to talk to people in the community about their own cancer journeys and could share this small symbol of hope, the yellow daffodil, with those around me – it was a great way for me to begin healing and give back to a cause that helps so many Canadians."

The experience was so rewarding that Herder jumped at the opportunity to take a job with the Society to oversee the coordination of Daffodil Month in Calgary.

"We are extremely grateful to everyone who has already stepped up to help and are optimistic that more Albertans and Northerners will pitch in to make this year's campaign a success," Herder says.

Volunteers are needed for daytime shifts to help sell flowers in the following communities starting on March 27 (exact dates and locations will be confirmed once you register to volunteer):

• Brooks, AB
• Calgary, AB
• Claresholm, AB
• Coaldale, AB
• Drayton Valley, AB
• Edmonton, AB
• Fort Simpson, NWT
• Fort Smith, NWT
• Grande Prairie, AB
• Lethbridge, AB
• Medicine Hat, AB
• Picture Butte, AB
• Redcliff, AB
• Taber, AB
• Wetaskiwin, AB
• Yellowknife, NWT

Money raised through the sale of fresh flowers and daffodil pins brings life-saving cancer awareness and prevention initiatives, much-needed support services and the best possible cancer treatments to all Albertans and Northerners.

Can you spare a few hours of your time to volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Month? Register today at cancer.ca/daffodil.

If you do not have time to volunteer, please buy flowers instead by visiting cancer.ca/daffodil to pre-order your fresh bunches of daffodils before March 23, 2015, or find a daffodil street sale location near you by visiting cancer.ca/events.

About the Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers and staff whose mission is the eradication of cancer and enhancement of 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.

SOURCE Canadian Cancer Society (Alberta/NWT Division)

Paula Trotter, Communications Coordinator, Canadian Cancer Society, Alberta/NWT Division, 403-541-2339, [email protected]