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New event sponsors for Elk Valley Relay for Life
The Canadian Cancer Society announced recently two new event sponsors for the Elk Valley Relay for Life – the Sparwood Lions Club and the Sparwood Futures Society.
Each organization donated $2,500 and the funds will be designated to the Canadian Cancer Society’s Financial Support Program, which helps pay for patients’ travel and accommodation expenses during cancer treatment.
“We believe that nobody should face a cancer diagnosis alone,” says Lynnette Wray, Financial Support Program Team Lead for the Canadian Cancer Society in the Southern Interior Region. “Because of generous donors like the Sparwood Lions Club and the Sparwood Futures Society we can offer tangible support to local people facing cancer today.”
As with all of the Canadian Cancer Society’s support programs (lodges, wig banks, Camp Goodtimes, information services), financial assistance is donor-driven. Community events like Relay for Life are a vital source of funding that impacts the society’s ability to accomplish its mission of eradicating cancer and helping those living with cancer.
“The Sparwood Futures Society decided to join the Sparwood Lions Club as sponsors for the Elk Valley Cancer Relay for Life because we believe it is important to give back to our community by showing support for various worthwhile causes,“ says Danny Dwyer of Sparwood Futures Society. “We have all been affected by this terrible disease, either personally or know someone who has been. We were proud to contribute to the continued effort to provide support and raise funds towards research to eliminate this terrible disease.”
Ron Linkert of the Lions Club explains: “When the major event sponsor from last year was unable to support the 2015 Relay for Life, the Sparwood Lions saw an opportunity to back this worthy cause. Cancer touches all of us, either directly or indirectly, so the Lions are pleased to join with the Sparwood Futures Society in sponsoring this year’s relay.”
In the last five years, the Southern Interior Region has received over $700,000 in funding for financial support and served more than 1,500 clients.
Of the five different regions within the BC/Yukon Division of the Canadian Cancer Society, the Southern Interior Region is the largest user of the financial support program – serving almost 50% of the total 3,184 clients and using just over 50% of the total $1,326,000 distributed.
“Our region is the biggest user of the financial support program for several reasons,” explains Wray.“We’re very geographically dispersed and patients often have to travel long distances for cancer treatment. This is certainly the case in the Kootenays, due to our distance from major cancer treatment centres in B.C., such as Kelowna and Vancouver, as well as Alberta treatment centres in Calgary and Lethbridge.
“For example, a financially vulnerable patient in Fernie might need specialized treatment that they can only get in Calgary. That’s 572 kilometers return with limited low-cost transportation options and barriers such as mountain passes and winter weather.
“We’re so grateful for this most generous support from these two wonderful community organizations. It’s because of donors like them and our amazing volunteers that we are making a real difference in the lives of people on their cancer journey,” says Wray.
The community is invited to enter a team or just come by Sparwood Pool & Leisure Centre on Relay day June 20 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. and join in celebrating those on a cancer journey.
There is live entertainment and fun for the whole family. To register a team visit relayforlife.ca/elkvalley; to volunteer for the day sign-up at cancervolunteer.ca For event details or more information, contact Jenn Smith at 1-800-656-6426.
Website: cancer.ca
Twitter: @cancersociety
Facebook: CanadianCancerSociety
Lead image:Â Bill Moir, Jenn Smith, Vicki Holberton, Ken Holberton (Sparwood Futures Society)
Canadian Cancer Society BC and Yukon
