2008/09 Awards

The Canadian Cancer Society provides formal recognition for volunteer contributions with length of service pins and certificates for every five years of volunteering.  National, Division and Regional Awards are also given annually.

2008/09 National and Division Awards

This year, there are four categories in BCY division award (2 individual and 2 team):

1. Volunteer Awards of Excellence:
   Recognizes the dedication and commitment of volunteers in their area of endeavor and whose contributions have a significant impact on the strategic goals of the CCS.
   
   
2. Award of Distinction in Volunteer Leadership:
   Recognizes volunteer leaders who have not only furthered the mission of CCS but nurtured volunteers and new leaders at the CCS.
   
   
3. Team Excellence Award:
   Recognizes volunteer team efforts.
   
   
4. Community Champion Award:
   Recognizes the outstanding contributions made by companies and community partners (groups or individuals).
   
   

• Division
• Fraser Valley Region
• Greater Vancouver Region
• Interior Region
• Kootenay Region
• Northern Region
• Vancouver Island Region
  
  
  

Division
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Community Champion Awards

• Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of BC & Yukon
  Since 1988, the Freemason Cancer Car Project has provided rides for cancer patients traveling to and from cancer-related treatment in the Greater Vancouver, Interior and Vancouver Island Regions. In 2007, 700 people volunteered, giving over 48,000 hours of services for 25,168 client rides.
  
  

• Deloitte and Touche
  Deloitte and Touche has benefited the Society greatly through their cash donations and more recently by gifts of services. They have provided consulting, tax and audit expertise that enabled staff and volunteers to achieve further improvements in organizational effectiveness.
  

Fraser Valley Region
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Distinction in Volunteer Leadership Award

• Jean MacPherson
  For years, Jean has been the Chair for the White Rock Residential Campaign, and until recently was the Office Manager. Now she is Co-President of the Unit providing exemplary leadership for the White Rock Unit.

Community Champion Awards

• Langley Breast Cancer Support Group "Breast Buddies"
  The Langley Breast Cancer Support Group has entered their team, "Breast Buddies" every year since the Relay began in 2000 in the Fraser Valley Region. During this time they have raised over $40,000. This group models true partnership.
  
  
  

• Walnut Grove Lions Club
  The Walnut Grove Lions Club has been supporting the Regional Office for 8 years donating approximately $15,000. They have also generously given their time and talent to several of our events, particularly Cops for Cancer.

Volunteer Award of Excellence

• Richard Long
  
  
  Rick is a dedicated and hard working volunteer for the Langley Unit. In addition to being a Zone Captain and Canvasser, he writes all the thank you letters, updates the volunteer database and maps, and creates new routes for the Langley Residential Campaign.
  
  

• Mary Sansome
  
  
  Since November 1996, Mary has been a dedicated volunteer driver for the Society in Langley. She is determined to always be punctual and provide the friendliest and most pleasant trip a driver can make. 
  
  

• Brenda Leiper
  Brenda is a hard working volunteer for the Langley Unit. She has overhauled the Unit's electronic filing system and keeps the office stats up to date. She also has been the Coordinator of the Langley Christmas Gift Wrap program.
  
  

• Ken Langsford
  
  
  Ken has been an active CancerConnection volunteer since 2003. Also, Ken offers his strata home's social room as the venue for our Keeping in Touch meetings and is an enormous help to the local Tsawwassen team.
  
  

• Becky McCaffrey
  
  
  Becky has successfully led the White Rock Breast Cancer Supper Group for six years. Under her leadership this group now has grown to 30 members. Becky has also led the group through bereavement and grief during hard times.
  
  

• Judy Anderson
  
  
  Judy began her volunteer career with the Society as a Facilitator for the Langley Living with Cancer support group. She has donated many volunteer hours these past 18 years in various capacities such as the Langley Office Coordinator, a volunteer driver as well as a fundraiser. 
   

• Ron Kraushaar
  Extremely outgoing, Ron volunteers for the CCS in Langley and is very effective at eliciting donations and volunteers. He engages in community outreach, leveraging community contacts to raise awareness of the Society’s programs and initiatives.
   

• Dick Thiessen
  Dick is a very willing and helpful volunteer driver in Abbotsford whose sheer presence spreads cheer among fellow volunteers. Dick is always available to drive patients and to deliver the mail between the Regional office and the Abbotsford Unit office.
   

• Mary Peters
  Mary Peters has been an excellent volunteer driver for the past 12 years. She is a very caring driver, setting an example for others to follow. She often takes on multiple appointments at a time, ensuring high satisfaction among her clients.

Greater Vancouver Region
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Award for Regional Volunteer Leadership

• Myrna Holman
  

Regional Community Champion

• Carol de Haas
  
  
• Robert A. McMath Secondary School
  
  
• Sutherland Secondary School
  
  
• Mark Starkey & Kayak for a Cure
  
  
• Ladies Red Serge Gala Committee
  

Volunteer Achievement Certificate

• Cinnie (Ho) Lee
  
  
• Staff Sgt. John Buis
  
  
• Avril Wedemire
  
  
• Denise Moulson
  
  
• Willie Shen
  
  
• Vinyse Barber
  

Certificate of Appreciation

• Michelle Li
  
  
• Lily Zhou
  
  
• Swadesh Bharadwaja
  
  
• Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Patricia Conn
  
  
• Benefits of Bocce Organizing Committee
  
  
• Linelle Soxman
  
  
• Devirani Naidoo
  
  
• Sunshine Coast Clean Air Society
  
  
• Shoko Seyedin
  
  
• Bita Imam
  
  
• Nahid Najafi
  
  
• Maryam Alaghemand
  
  
• Arzeena Hamir
  
  
• Zohre Mofidi
  

Regional Youth Achievement Award

• Michelle de Haas
  

Volunteer Award of Excellence

• Shamim Jivani
  
  
  Shamim Jivani has served as an inspirational role model to all since she first joined the Society and founded the Ismaili Women's Living with Cancer Support Group in 2002. She continually exhibits exceptional compassion in her leadership roles as a Peer Support Group Facilitator and as our Peer Support Regional Chair.
  
  

• Mike Hudson & Camp Goodtimes Golf Classic Organizing Committee
  Mike Hudson and his organizing committee of the Camp Goodtimes Golf Classic have held the annual event for 8 years, raising over $800,000 to send children who are dealing with cancer and their families to Camp Goodtimes.

Interior Region
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Distinction in Volunteer Leadership Award

• Marion York
  
  
  Marion has been volunteering with the CCS Kamloops Unit for five and half years as president. Marion has been the face and voice for our unit with personal appearances on TV, radio, and in newspaper articles. 

   

Community Champion Award

• Look Good, Feel Better Program 
  For the past ten years, the Program has provided workshops to support people living with cancer from around the Interior Region. The program complements the activities of the Southern Interior Lodge and the Feel Good Room Wig Bank.
  
  

CHBC TV
CHBC Television has been an amazing supporter of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Interior Region for more than ten years. In addition to producing a video documenting CCS programs and commercials for the Society, CHBC TV has been a strong Relay For Life and Gala of Hope sponsor.



 

Team Excellence Award

• Kamloops Emergency Aid (EA) Team: Pat Effa & Mary Ellen Patterson
  Mary Ellen and Pat’s combined efforts, creative thinking and dedication to the Society ensure consistent coverage to areas with the highest number of EA clients. This team provides excellent service to cancer patients.
  (Pat Effa)

   

Volunteer Award of Excellence

• Marie J. Buchecker
  
  
  Marie is an excellent and dedicated Kelowna Unit volunteer with strong administrative and advocacy skills and a long-standing commitment to the Society and the Emergency Aid Program. She has assisted the Practical Support Coordinator with training others.

   

• Mary Victor
  
  
  Mary volunteered for a decade with the Southern Interior Rotary Lodge in every available role. Now she is also an Emergency Aid volunteer. Mary is making a huge difference in the lives of people facing cancer.

   

• Carla Malmberg
  Carla has been a leadership volunteer with the Kelowna Relay For Life for 6 years; from 2002-2007 on the Event Development committee, and from 2007 to present as Leadership Co-Chair. She is an inspiration to many.
  
  

Senia Howard Award (Regional Volunteer Leadership

• Brenda Kurtz
  
  

Kootenay Region
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Volunteer Award of Excellence

• Gwen Baril
  
  
  Gwen has been an exceptional volunteer for the Cranbrook Unit for over 10 years. She successfully revived the door-to-door campaign with volunteers from all the age groups. Today, Gwen continues to be an incredible leader as Unit President, Daffodil Days Chair and Relay For Life volunteer. 

   

• Eleanor Gattafoni-Robinson
  
  
  Since joining the Society in 2002, Eleanor has been an organizer with the Relay For Life and Chair of the Fall Fundraiser for breast cancer research. As an accomplished community leader in Trail, Eleanor was also honored with the Winn Weir Leadership Award in 2006. 
  
  

• Lorraine Sherret
  
  
  For over 17 years, Lorraine has been a dedicated In Memoriam volunteer for the Cranbrook Unit and now Kimberley Unit. With her positive and cheerful attitude, she always lights up the office.
  
    

• Nellie Fisher
  Nellie has been a dedicated volunteer with the Emergency Aid Program in Rossland for over 25 years. She has delivered the highest quality support with humor and caring. Her experience is invaluable and she is wonderful to work with!
   
  

• Helen Ward
  
  
  Helen Ward joined the Kootenay Region Volunteer Team in September 2003. She has used her data base management skills to be our Raiser’s Edge expert and has put in many, many hours entering and updating volunteer records. 
  
  

• Murray Bertram
  
  
  Since 2002, Murray has been an active and dedicated volunteer. He has been a Speakers’ Bureau Volunteer, Kootenay Regional President and is currently a CancerConnection volunteer and a Promote Health Prevent Cancer Workshop Facilitator.

   

Northern Region
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Community Champion Awards

• Hawkair
  Hawkair has sponsored the Relay For Life in Terrace, Prince Rupert and Kitimat for at least 6 years. In 2008, they have started supporting communities in Smithers, Houston and Burns Lake as well. They also provide innovative support for the Society by placing information about our mission and programs in their in-flight magazine.
  
  

Volunteer Award of Excellence

• Mable Wolf
  
  
  For 17 years, Mable has provided inspiration, energy and enthusiasm to other volunteers of the Dawson Creek Unit. She has served in a variety of roles, being the first to volunteer when work needs to be done.
  
  
• Debbie Reed
  
  
  Debbie has been an outstanding member of the northern team since 2000, as an office worker and as a CancerConnection volunteer. In the ensuing years, she has supported 19 clients, many of them in palliative situations.
  
  
• Becky Girard
  
  
  Since 1999, Becky has been a committed member of Northern Region's Peer Support team, first in the Breast Cancer Visitor program and then in CancerConnection after 2005. She has provided very caring and knowledgeable support to 13 women.
  
  
• Marion Jarvis
  
  
  Marion Jarvis has been an active and capable volunteer ever since she joined the Fort St. John Unit ten years ago. She has canvassed and coordinated the Daffodil sales and served as Unit secretary, Unit president and a Relay participant.
   
  
• Jane Hoek
  
  
  Jane has volunteered with the Smithers Unit for more than 30 years. She has strongly supported the Relay For Life since 2003. Jane also oversees the annual sale of daffodils in Smithers and processes the In Memoriam donations.
  
  
• Karen Dueck
  
  
  Karen has been one of the most active and skilled volunteers of the Burns Lake Unit for over eight years. She has been a Unit volunteer, Treasurer and is best known for being a compassionate and dedicated Emergency Aid volunteer.
  
  
• Sheila and Douglas Keller
  Sheila and Douglas Keller have nearly 50 years of service between them. They have been pillars of support for the Society and the Houston Unit. Sheila has been secretary for over 20 years and Doug has been Treasurer for 13.

Vancouver Island Region
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Distinction in Volunteer Leadership Award

• Lilian Simpson
  
  
  Lilian has been an excellent and dedicated volunteer in the Ladysmith Unit since 1993. She has been an inspiration to other volunteers as the Volunteer Resources Coordinator, Publicity Coordinator, Meeting Telephone Person and Office Manager.

Community Champion Awards

• Brentwood College Students
  The students of Brentwood College in the Cowichan Valley in their “Charity Work” day do all sort of jobs to raise money for the Society. They also volunteered during the Daffodil Days and this year participated in our Relay For Life.
  
  
  
  
• Ladies Auxiliary Fraternal Order of the Eagles #2546
  For the past 12 years they have prepared and served the food at the Cowichan Valley Unit annual door-to-door campaign “kickoff” luncheon raising funds and awareness. The ladies have really helped make the campaign a success.
  
  
  
  
• Mike Murphy Manager Thrifty Foods
  
  
  Mike and his Staff have supported the Society and in particular the Cowichan Valley Unit for over 10 years. He runs the Cops for Cancer Golf tournament and always helps when we need anything for the Unit office.

Volunteer Award of Excellence

• Roxanne Caldwell
  
  
  Roxanne has been a member of the Cowichan Valley Unit for the last 6 years. Starting as an office volunteer, she soon became the Office Scheduler and is quick to offer help with any events including Relay For Life.
  
  

• Victoria Clarke
  Since March 1985, Vicki has been with the Cowichan Valley Unit working in the office, and selling daffodil bulbs at the Cowichan Fair.  She helps with everything when asked and does an exemplary job.
  
  

• Edna O’Flynn
  
  
  With no Unit office in Port Hardy, Edna has been the sole champion of the Society. She is an Emergency Aid volunteer as well as a volunteer driver. She regularly sets up information booths at health fairs promoting prevention.
  
  

• Noriko Nakahara
  
  
  Noriko was Unit president of the Ladysmith Unit for two years and for the past four years she has lead the Ladysmith daffodil campaign. Recently, she chaired the committee for the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock. 
  
  

• Gloria Horner (POSTHUMOUS)
  
  
  Gloria was a volunteer driver with the Society for the last 22 years. She was warm, compassionate and always had a smile on her face. She embodied all the finest qualities of a CCS Volunteer. Gloria passed away in May 2009. 

   

• Margaret Rose
  
  
  Marg has been an exceptional volunteer with the Comox Valley Unit for five years. Despite holding down a full-time job and assisting with a home-based business, she is always available to quietly and efficiently help people requiring Emergency Aid.
  
  
• Eva Thirsk
  
  
  Eva started volunteering for the Cowichan Valley Unit in June 1997 as an office volunteer which she continues to do. Soon she became the Correspondence Secretary for the Unit and has since written many letters on behalf of the Society.
  
  
• Jeanelle Fischer
  Jeanelle has been a volunteer with the Campbell River Unit for 26 years. Her roles have included: canvasser, office volunteer, and, currently, Unit President. For three of the last four years as Unit President, Jeanelle was also in charge of the April campaign.