Kevin Laliberte
Editor, Smoky River Express

Here’s a rather startling statistic to get the ball rolling in this week’s column. Did you know that during your lifetime, 38 per cent of Canadian women and 44 per cent of men will develop cancer. These statistics are concerning to say the least, according to Lori Messer, president of the Canadian Cancer Society. “They represent our mothers and fathers, sisters, brothers and friends,” she says. “The volunteers who have joined the society to fight cancer are linked across Canada by our vision of creating a world where no one has to fear cancer. When people donate to the Society, they become a part of our national team.” The focus on the often fatal disease coincides with the annual arrival of Cancer Awareness Month and the need at the Grande Prairie & Peace Country Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society for volunteer canvassers in the region to help out with this year’s door-to-door fund-raising drive. The campaign takes place throughout the month of April and is geared towards generating timely funds for ongoing cancer research. Jennifer Nelson, door-to-door coordinator for the Grande Prairie & Peace Country Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society, says there’s still a rather large void to fill in a number of communities for the fund-raising drive. “Volunteers are still required in several communities to help solicit funds for the Canadian Cancer Society,” Nelson explains, adding that any time people can donate to the cause is greatly appreciated. The local unit is presently seeking the assistance of upwards of 1,000 volunteers to assist with this year’s campaign, an estimated 665 of which are needed in Grande Prairie alone. The door-to-door campaign kicks off around mid-April and organizers need your support to help make this year’s campaign the most successful ever! The Grande Prairie & Peace Country Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society covers a broad area stretching from Grande Prairie to the Northwest Territories, and from Slave Lake to the B.C. Border. Nationally, the annual door-to-door campaign is the Canadian Cancer Society’s largest source of funds with money raised going towards research, education and valuable community service programs offered by the Canadian Cancer Society. Volunteer canvassers will be soliciting donations door-to-door throughout communities, including those in the Smoky River region, during the entire month of April and can be identified by the bright blue plastic folders that they carry. The Canadian Cancer Society’s statistics from last year show that while a person’s individual risk of developing cancer remains relatively stable, the number of new cancer cases and deaths is on the rise as the Canadian population increases and ages. Residents in the region can do their part to support cancer research and awareness this month by making a donation to a couple of very worthy causes. They include a sixth installment of the Smoky River Fire & Rescue cancer head-shave fundraiser taking place in Falher on the evening of April 25 at the local fire hall in addition to a similar event being held in McLennan at The Coffee Connection April 14 beginning at 2 p.m. Organizers in Falher are hoping to raise in excess of $20,000 for cancer research during the head-shave. The McLennan-based event will see six women shed their locks, including Mayor Michele Fournier, whose hair is being removed the following Monday (April 16) in front of staff and students at Ecole Providence school. Please show your support for these worthwhile causes by making a monetary contribution. Together, we can beat cancer!

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