Thanking Volunteers

Friday, 11 April 2014 at 13:03

Canadian Cancer Society - Oxford Manager, Janis Cunningham with Canadian Cancer Society Volunteer Bill Davies

The Canadian Cancer Society recognize the work of all volunteers in Oxford County for National Volunteer Week

WOODSTOCK -- Volunteers enrich our community.

That is how Oxford Manager of the Canadian Cancer Society, Janis Cunningham describes our local volunteers.

Cunningham says National Volunteer Week (April 6 - 12) is a time to recognize the work and dedication of all volunteers whether they donate their time to a church, school, hospital or charitable organization. "We truly appreciate all that you do and the Canadian Cancer Society volunteers make the cancer journey a little brighter."

As Cunningham points out, "the Canadian Cancer Society rely 100% on its volunteers. We are a volunteer driven-based organization and without our volunteers we wouldn't be here. Our volunteers are the crux of what we do, they're out in the community supporting those with cancer and also raising the funds to make it possible to support the research and the people that we do support."

Bill Davies has been a volunteer for six-plus years now. He says he got involved with the Canadian Cancer Society when cancer struck close to him and he saw just how great the need was for volunteers while visiting the London Regional Cancer program. Davies says the appreciation of the cancer patients is one of the most rewarding aspects of his work and recalls one incident when he was dropping a patient off at her home; "I walked around to the other side of the car, I give her a hand out and she gave me a great big hug and she said we couldn't do this, I couldn't get my treatment without volunteers...thank you so much. It's such an emotional time really, it's something I'll never forget. I've had so many people echo the same thing, how much they appreciate what we do for them."

There are a number of areas and ways people can get involved with volunteering. For those interested in donating their time to the Canadian Cancer Society, you can call them at 519-537-5592, email:oxford@ontario.cancer.ca or visit their office at 65 Springbank Avenue Woodstock.

The Canadian Cancer Society are hosting a "Volunteer Celebration" on Monday April 28 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the Elm Hurst Inn in Ingersoll. All Canadian Cancer Society volunteers are welcomed to attend the evening with a guest for free. Volunteers are asked to RSVP before April 18th.