Letter to the Editor

Webster’s Dictionary states that philanthropy is: the practice of giving money and time to help make life better for other people; the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money or time to good causes.

November 15 is National Philanthropy Day. What will you do to mark the occasion? Pick a cause that is close to your heart and get behind it. A cause that is close to me is the fight against cancer. Who amongst us has not been touched, in some way, by this disease? I am fortunate enough to be able to participate in that fight each and every day through my work with the Canadian Cancer Society.

The Canadian Cancer Society is mobilizing researchers, volunteers and donors across the country to launch a two-pronged attack to change cancer forever. Through this multi-year, nationwide campaign we want to raise $2.5 billion to tackle this disease.

We want to stop cancer in its tracks. With greater investment, we can fuel more research breakthroughs and save more lives by increasing the overall cancer survival rate from 63% to 80%. One of our key strategies is targeted research for hard to treat cancers such as lung, ovarian, pancreatic, esophageal, colorectal and brain.

We want to stop cancer before it starts. We will work to eradicate preventable cancers, reduce cancer diagnosis by almost half, and ensure that more Canadians are active, healthier, and cancer free. One of our key strategies is to build the Cancer Prevention Center in Vancouver. This center will be an international hub dedicated to innovative prevention research, advocacy work and program development.

In support of this campaign, we have new and innovative ways for you to really have an impact with your donations. You can create, name, and direct your own Catalyst Fund, giving you more control over where your donations are used. As brain cancer is one of our identified hard to treat cancers, and metastatic brain tumors occur at some point in 20-40% of people with cancer, we have entered into a partnership with Brain Canada to direct more funds to this cancer. If you opt to designate your funds to brain cancer research, they will match your donation – dollar for dollar, doubling your impact.

So, in celebration of National Philanthropy Day, get behind your favorite cause. Make a donation, give of your time, attend and support one of their events. There are many great organizations right here at home: The Canadian Cancer Society, United Way, Salvation Army, East Kootenay Foundation for Health – to name but a few. Which one is close to your heart?

Lori Stevenson,

Canadian Cancer Society

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