New foundation to help cancer patients in province
Like an expectant mother, Nora Yeates is excited to nurture the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan from infancy to a strong, independent resource for cancer patients in the province.
The idea for the foundation was conceived by the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.
“Donors were giving to the cancer agency for years, and the agency realized that there was a greater opportunity here and it’s not their business line,” Yeates said. “They felt that if they put a foundation in place, it’s an organization that can steward our donors and report back on the impact and really provide that opportunity for greater giving.”
The agency did a feasibility study to determine if Saskatchewan residents would support a foundation dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients. The results were very positive, so the foundation was created.
“We raise funds to support the cancer care needs of the people of Saskatchewan,” Yeates said. “Every dollar we raise will go to work right here in this province to help patients and their families through the cancer journey.”
While numerous charities are seeking donor dollars, she characterizes the market as “crowded, not competitive.”
“Donors will make up their minds what they want their dollars to do,” Yeates said. “The cancer foundation will fund equipment, treatment, diagnosis, prevention programs that take place here in Saskatchewan for the people of Saskatchewan.”
Much of her work at the moment is with the cancer agency to determine needs at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina, the Saskatoon Cancer Centre, the two patient lodges in Regina and Saskatoon, and the cancer screening and prevention programs.
Donations can be earmarked for everything from beds for the patient lodges to a new mammography bus. Currently one bus travels the entire province to provide mammograms to women in rural and remote areas.
“If you want to make a difference for the people who are going through their cancer journey here in Saskatchewan, then you should come and talk to us at the foundation because we can make sure that the donation you give has the impact you want it to have,” Yeates said.
The foundation received charitable status on May 14, but much work is ahead before the foundation formally launches in late fall.
It will be a labour of love for Yeates. She’s drawing on years of experience working in the nonprofit world to make the foundation a success.
“When I moved to Regina, I made a choice to work in the charitable sector and I actually worked at the cancer society for four years and travelled the province,” Yeates said. “My passion really grew from there ... health care is so important to me and it’s so important to everyone’s quality of life.”
Working with board chairman Dr. Stewart McMillan and 11 board members, strategic planning has been completed and the basic building blocks of policies, a good governance model and strong fiduciary controls are being put in place for the foundation.
Next will come staffing. Currently the foundation has one employee, Yeates, who is doing everything from strategic planning to putting stamps on envelopes.
“We have to get our brand, our visual identity, so we have to get a logo,” Yeates said. “It’s as basic as a logo and a website. We need that because we want donors to know that we’re here to stay and that we’re trustworthy and we’re accountable.”