Last year, 83 per cent of high priority cancer research projects never got off the ground due to a lack of funding.
Tim Whalen, the volunteer chair of the Canadian Cancer Society's local community advisory committee, said that's unfortunate, because that research can go a long way in developing treatments and better understanding the devastating disease.
It's why the Canadian Cancer Society puts so much emphasis on the month of April for its fundraising efforts. April is known as Daffodil Month, and there are dozens of events planned to collect money that will go directly to fund that research.
“The research arm of the Canadian Cancer Society is so heavily dependent on fundraising,” Whalen said Thursday at the launch of Daffodil Month. “There are so many research applications that don't get funded. It varies from year to year, but it's staggering and unfortunate that so many projects don't get off the ground due to a lack of available money. A big part of what we do every year is raise as much money as possible to fund as many research projects as possible.”
Every day, Dr. Lacey Pitre, a medical oncologist in Greater Sudbury, deals with patients who have cancer. Being able to conduct research into treatments and potential cures is incredibly important, she said.
“Many research projects are funded by pharmaceutical companies, and they answer questions that are relevant to pharmaceutical companies,” Pitre said. “The Canadian Cancer Trials Group asks and answers questions that are crucial to everyday people, and those answers aren't necessarily in the best interest of these pharmaceutical companies.
“The Canadian Cancer Society funds those types of research projects, that are designed and developed by Canadian researchers, like myself, and supports research that is in the best interest of all Canadians.”
The Canadian Cancer Society has different initiatives being held throughout Greater Sudbury this month:
-- Door-to-Door Campaign: Canvassers in communities across Sudbury and District, which includes Chapleau, Manitoulin Island, Espanola and St. Charles, will be going door-to-door to canvass for donations.
-- Daffodil Coin Boxes: Purchase a daffodil pin at various grocery store and retail locations around the Sudbury and District.
-- Pin Sales: Volunteers can be found at various LCBO, Beer Store and Your Independent Grocer locations throughout the month of April, selling Daffodil Pins for donations.
-- Bankers Corner Challenge: TD, RBC, BMO and Scotiabank downtown will be competing to raise money April 26 between noon and 1 p.m.
-- Paint the Downtown Yellow: Downtown businesses that have supported Daffodil Month will have a daffodil and their logo painted on the sidewalk in front of their business. Yellow ribbons have been put up and storefronts will be decorated yellow to show support for the Canadian Cancer Society. Volunteers will be taking photos of participating businesses and sharing them to a Facebook album, where followers will be asked to go check out the displays for themselves and vote for their favourite. The business with the most votes, as well as a CCS favourite, will be announced on April 26 during the Banker’s Corner Challenge.
-- Bake for Daffodil: Bakeries will be baking daffodil themed treats and will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Canadian Cancer Society at the end of the month. The bakery that raises the most will be announced at the end of Daffodil Month and crowned bakery challenge winner. Participating bakeries include: Double Frosted Bakery, Gourmet World and La Baguette Magique. Help support Daffodil Month by buying tasty treats for the office, friends and family at these locations.
-- East Side Mario’s: Every Sunday in April, both East Side Mario’s locations in Sudbury will donate 10 per cent of every bill from patrons who declare they’re dining to support the Canadian Cancer Society. So please get together with friends and family at one of the East Side Mario’s for your Sunday dining.
“Daffodil Month is hands down the busiest month of the year for the Canadian Cancer Society,” Whalen said.
For more information about the Canadian Cancer Society, visit cancer.ca or call the toll-free phone service at 1-888-939-3333.
