Canadian Cancer Society honours volunteers, donors
During National Volunteer Week, the Canadian Cancer Society’s annual Volunteer and Donor Awards Ceremony acknowledged exemplary members of the P.E.I. community.
The event took place in Charlottetown on April 27 at Fanningbank, the official residence of P.E.I.’s lieutenant-governor.
Dr. Larry Pan received the Excellence in Medicine and Health Award for advancing the mission of the society by reducing the burden of cancer in P.E.I. Pan is a radiation oncologist at the P.E.I. Cancer Treatment Centre, co-chairman of the P.E.I. Strategy for Cancer Control and the lead in the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, on tobacco cessation.
Islander Sharon MacNeill received the prestigious national award – the Medal of Courage, awarded to a society volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional courage in their personal battle with cancer and has served as an inspiration to others. A survivor herself, MacNeill has developed a support group for those living with metastatic breast cancer, advocated at a national level for a pharmacare program, explored the possibility of an Atlantic Regional Cancer Agency and plays a role in the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.
“So when we say the society is a community-based organization of volunteers and that we could not do what we do without them, please know that is a fact.” Marlene Mulligan, executive director, Canadian Cancer Society
“The society is made up of 150,000 volunteers across the country and about 700 staff members. That’s a ratio of about 220 volunteers to each staff person. This holds true in P.E.I. where we have six staff members and 1,200 volunteers” says Marlene Mulligan, executive director, CCS.
“So when we say the society is a community-based organization of volunteers and that we could not do what we do without them, please know that is a fact.”