CORRECTION: A previous version of this article contained incorrect information. The Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Month campaign funds research and support services for all cancers. The News Bulletin regrets the error and any confusion it may have caused.
Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Month campaign organizers are looking for a few good volunteers.
Throughout April, cancer society volunteers are canvassing door-to-door collecting donations to fund cancer research and pay for support services, such as Victoria Lodge, which for $55 per day provides cancer patients from out of town a safe and supportive place to stay while receiving treatments in Victoria.
Daffodil Month, held every April, is a national fundraising campaign, but it’s volunteer canvassers who make it a success and even though the campaign is underway, the cancer society’s Nanaimo branch is always looking for more volunteers.
“We’re still in need of canvassers and we’re not going to stop looking until we’re done the campaign,” said Tanya Davis, annual giving coordinator in Nanaimo. “You can canvass anytime in April so you can come and get a [canvassing] kit near the end of April and still go out for a day of canvassing, so why not?”
Davis said canvassing is a good way to get out in the community and meet people or volunteers can make it a social event by going out in groups to collect donations. There are also opportunities for local businesses and organizations to dedicate a day for employees to support their community. Davis said volunteer canvasser groups can make a big impact in just a couple hours of knocking on doors.
Canvassers can also campaign online or simply bring a donation book to work to offer co-workers a chance to chip in.
This year there the cancer society also needs to make up an estimated shortfall of an estimated $50,000 that won’t be raised because of the demise of the Relay for Life, which ended in 2017.
“That’s a big shortfall to make up and we don’t have anything replacing it at this point in time, so this year there’s definitely going to be that shortfall,” Davis said.
Individuals and organizations interested in becoming volunteer canvassers are asked to contact the Nanaimo branch of the Canadian Cancer Society at 250-741-8180 or at tanya.davis@bc.cancer.ca.
photos@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter