Feature ArticleJune 5, 2002
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Cancer canvassers complete successful fundraising campaignby Jule Koch Brison Central and North Frontenac canvassers for the Frontenac, Lennox & Addington unit of the Canadian Cancer Society had their annual dinner at the Oso Community Hall in Sharbot Lake on May 30. The dinner is moved to a different community each year, and is sponsored by an organization in the hosting community. This year the Sharbot Lake 39ers provided the dinner. Gail Stark, unit manager of the F L & A unit, told about some of the activities of the unit, and also how the funds they raise are used 51% of the funds go to research conducted within the region (mostly to the Queens cancer research unit); only 6% to administration; 33% to county cancer programs; and the remaining is given to miscellaneous programs. Gail also pointed out that the North and Central Frontenac daffodil sale, run for a number of years by Norma Granland, was the only daffodil sale in the F L & A unit to sell out. Norma and her volunteers raised more than $1,000 this year. Mrs. Mary Howes who has just completed 29 years with the Canadian Cancer Society gave awards to the volunteers. Jean Smith and Judy Gray were given 25-year awards, and certificates of appreciation were handed out to a number of the other 130 volunteer canvassers. The campaign this year raised $20, 976.65 exceeding last years total according to treasurer Kathy Wolsey. Over a year ago, Claire Macfarlane, Transportation coordinator for the area, had asked The Frontenac News for help in publicizing the need for volunteer drivers for the society. Sara Carpenter, who was then co-publisher of the paper, placed the listings in our Northern Happenings, where it has appeared every week. The result has been a 700% increase in the use of the transportation program, and in recognition of that, Becky Corcoran, President of the F L & A unit, presented a special award to The News - one of only six given in the province - for service to the unit. The guest speaker for the evening was Betty Giffin from Victoria Quilts. Betty started Victoria Quilts in 1998. The organization, which consists entirely of volunteers, makes quilts for cancer patients. They made and delivered 458 quilts last year, and will exceed 700 this year. Each quilt is made entirely of cotton and is hand delivered, whenever possible. The quilt represents warmth, both symbolically and in a physical sense, for cancer victims who sometimes feel a deep chill. Betty Giffin likens it to a hug. Each quilt has the verse Joshua 1:9, sewn into it, and those who make the quilts also pray for the recipients. A group of women from the Zealand Womens Institute made 20 quilts this year and presented them to Betty Giffin. One of these quilts was presented by Betty to David Brison, editor and publisher of The Frontenac News, who recently has learned that he has cancer.
