Cancer Society Dinner

Jeff Green | Jun 17, 2010

The annual dinner for Cancer Society canvassers was held in the Anglican Church hall at Sharbot Lake with 42 canvassers in attendance.

The president of Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington District, Claire Macfarlane, thanked all the canvassers and informed everyone of the upcoming Relay for Life in Flinton and stated the daffodil sales over the district amounted to $35,000.

Guest speaker Marcel Giroux, a cancer survivor, spoke on all the advances that have been accomplished since his treatment seven years ago. At that time the treatments took eight weeks; now two treatments are all that are required. He said 25,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and of this number, 5000 will die.

Rooms to administer treatments cost $3 million a room. He informed us of the Ride For Dad project that is going coast to coast and will be passing through Sharbot Lake on August 11.

Kathy Wolsey showed quilts made by Zealand Women’s Circle that are given to any cancer patient. Over the past years 100 quilts have been distributed. Quilters are always welcomed to the group.

Barb Wilson showed dishcloths with breast cancer logos that she has made for sale. Several are available. Contact 613-375-6324

Kathy Wolsey, treasurer, reported our total canvas, combined with daffodil sales, was $22,522 for this year.

Those receiving canvassing awards were: for Five Years Service - Rick Brown, Rita Bush, Joy Bresee, Linda Myers; Ten Years - Mardi Brown, Thelma Shaw; Fifteen Year - Ann Grantham; Twenty Years - Alvin Lake, Elva Price. John Lee received a ten-year certificate for driving patients.

Mary Howes, chair of North and Central District, in her closing statement reminded everyone that 41% of all cancers could be prevented by eating properly and that we are making progress—30 years ago only 20% of patients recovered; now 90% will recover. In the past eight years North and Central Frontenac have collected $156,193, which would pay for a Canadian Cancer Society Research Grant that could lead to the latest cancer treatment breakthrough. Every dollar counts. Thank you for helping to “Make Cancer History”.