Your fundraising has made a difference for so many.
We are so grateful to have such amazing Community Fundraisers supporting CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. Thank you for all you’ve done this past year to help Manitobans touched by cancer.
We have decided to go virtual with some holiday cheer once again this year. We hope you enjoy this video greeting from our Foundation staff.
Thanks to donors’ investments in cancer research, Carl is still with us today – and he is thriving.
In 2000 Carl was diagnosed with Melanoma, an aggressive form of cancer responsible for 80% of skin cancer-related deaths. Despite being told he had a 10% chance of survival, Carl never lost hope. Carl’s 21-year journey with melanoma has had many highs and lows. Since his initial poor prognosis and with limited treatment options back in 2000, Carl has endured multiple operations, radiation, and radical treatments. At one point Carl’s T cells were removed from his body, genetically enhanced, and then reintroduced to boost his immune system, a process Carl admits was “brutal” though his body cooperated and responded very well. Treatments didn’t always keep working however; at one point Carl’s heart monitor registered an arrhythmia and treatment had to be stopped immediately. Just when there seemed to be no more options, donor-funded clinical research and clinical trials blew open the world of immunotherapy and gave renewed hope to stage IV cancer patients like Carl.
Thank you to the hundreds of incredible Manitobans who reimagined community fundraising this past year.
You tapped your creativity and enthusiasm and made a tremendous difference for people affected by cancer. They are so grateful to you.
One of these change-makers is Winnipeg Opera singer Paul Ong. Paul couldn’t hold his annual charity concert in 2020. Instead he created an online concert series, Music Series For A Cause.
Using YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, Paul shares his songs and encourages viewers from Manitoba and beyond to support his fundraising efforts from the comfort of their own homes.
“It has truly been a year to remember. The adversity we’ve faced has allowed for creativity to do things differently,” Paul says. “Cancer has touched so many, my family included, and I am very happy to use my gift and music as a platform to support change.”
Thank you to each one of you who reimagined your community events. The funds you’ve raised are supporting groundbreaking research and improved cancer treatment right here in Manitoba.
Do you want to change lives and give HOPE to Manitobans with cancer? Our community events team is here to help you every step of the way! We can’t wait to talk to you. For more information please visit cancercarefdn.mb.ca/community-events/ or call 204-784-2777.
As told in the Foundation’s 2015/2016 Annual Donor Impact Report.
Your support has allowed Carl to spend more tomorrows with his wife Ruth, his children and friends.
In 2000 Carl began fighting the battle of his life. A routine appointment turned into the unexpected – “you have melanoma.”
Carl’s life was turned upside-down.
A husband and father of three kids was now also a cancer patient. Operations, radiations, treatments, scans and prodding, Carl went through it all for the next five years.
In 2006, Carl felt a lump in his arm and immediately a new round of testing began. A scan detected hot spots in a variety of places: his heart, neck and leg. Carl’s cancer was spreading – it was now stage IV. Carl underwent drastic immunotherapy and for the time being, his cancer was at bay.
Three years passed and then another recurrence. During his treatment his heart monitor registered an arrhythmia. That spelled the end for this treatment.
Another alternative would have to be found. And Carl’s cancer had spread further.
Carl’s oncologist knew of a clinical trial that he would be perfect for. Through CancerCare Manitoba’s donor funded clinical trial program, Carl became the first patient in the province to receive Ipilimumab, and one of less than 70 patients in all of Canada. None of this would have been possible without donors like you.
Carl’s cancer journey has been one of a million different emotions. “I lived my life in three month chunks,” says Carl. “Through this whole experience, I’ve never really thought about myself that much, I’ve always thought about my wife and kids. What could I do to make sure they were and would be okay?”
Carl responded tremendously to the treatment. A word he never expected to hear – remission – is now part of the conversation with his oncologist. He remains guarded and doesn’t want to get ahead of himself, yet his face lights up when he tells people how well he is doing.
Thanks to your support, Carl is thriving.
Carl’s wife and three children mean everything to him and he’s now getting to experience the remarkable milestones that have kept him motivated for 16 years. Carl walked his youngest daughter down the aisle, his middle daughter graduated from nursing, his son moved back to Winnipeg… and he has magnificent donors like you to thank.
With his wife Ruth by his side, his family is creating more unforgettable memories together. The clinical trials your donations have funded created a future for Carl that looks incredibly bright.
Carl’s life is full and rich. Your gift is a powerful statement of your belief in a world free of cancer.
On behalf of Carl and countless other patients and survivors in Manitoba, thank you for your commitment to finding a cure.
Learn more about supporting research at CancerCare Manitoba like the clinical trials that saved Carl’s life.
“I was nervous we wouldn’t even be able to hold the event but Coffeehouse supporters near and far stood united,” says Paige Procter, event organizer. “What we accomplished reminds us that together, against all odds, we can accomplish incredible things.”
“It’s truly heartwarming to see what we can do when we all work together,” says Amy Smart, co-organizer of the event. “Each year we are touched by the love and support we receive, and this year was no different as we saw the lines of cars waiting to donate.”Persons of Interest held a front porch concert, Music for CancerCare and Everybody. This Winnipeg jazz group had their gigs cancelled but still found a way to carry on and raise funds to support CancerCare Manitoba. Whether it was a photo session, engaging your business in different ways or playing a round of golf in support, Manitobans stepped up in huge ways! Thank you for your resiliency to help cancer patients.
For more information about community events please visit cancercarefdn.mb.ca/community-events/ or call 204-784-2777.
For more information about Challenge for Life please visit challengeforlife.ca or call 204-927-5433.
Community members across Manitoba, like Dallas Johnston from Brandon, are sharing their passion to positively impact cancer patients and their families.
Following his retirement, Dallas – a Royal Manitoba Winter Fair committee member and steer enthusiast – turned his hobby into an incredible fundraising endeavor. His motivation couldn’t have been more personal – his grandson, Aysen, was diagnosed with cancer at just 10 months-old and received life-saving care from CancerCare Manitoba.
The Johnstons recognized if they led with their passion and paved the way, the Brandon community would join them in helping other Manitobans who would experience their same journey. So Dallas and his family decided to auction their steer as their way of paying it forward.
“We wanted to give back. It was something we were already doing and thought it could create a lot of good,” reflects Dallas. It was as simple as acting on a community staple – a livestock auction – and adding a special twist to it.
Together the cattle community raised an impressive $32,000 through the fair auction. The funds are supporting PROFYLE – a pan-Canadian initiative CancerCare Manitoba is part of which is available to young cancer patients diagnosed with the rarest cancers.
The passion from thousands of community members who come together all year long to host community events like barrel races, golf tournaments, fishing derbies and potato truck pulls are creating incredible change. Cancer patients and their families all across our province are profoundly grateful for their enthusiasm and tremendous efforts.
What is your “thing?” Take a look around you. What does your community depend on or celebrate? Could you act on it and give your passion a purpose to help others when they need it the most? Your fellow Manitobans can’t wait to see where your passion takes you!
To learn more about community events visit cancercarefdn.mb.ca/community-events or phone 204-784-2777.
This past July Manitobans of all ages took a stand against cancer!
They embraced the inaugural Lemonade Stands for Hope weekend and their passion to change the lives of people affected by cancer was inspiring.
The patients who benefitted from their energy and enthusiasm are very grateful.
Among the hundreds who participated were kids like Zoé, Alex and their mother Jennifer.
“Zoé wanted to do a lemonade stand because she has a big heart and always wants to help others,” explained Jennifer. “My husband and I have lost grandparents to cancer, but not Zoé. She only hears about it and feels for those affected.”
Lemonade Stands for Hope was a “fundraiser in a kit.”
Participants were provided with the supplies to host a fun and successful lemonade stand fundraiser. They just needed to add creativity and customers!
“A lemonade stand was a way for my kids to volunteer. They are too young to have jobs, yet old enough to get involved in their community. This initiative was an easy way for Zoé and Alex to make a difference.”
We were so fortunate to have many businesses and community organizations partner with us for this first-year event. Thanks to McMunn & Yates’ participation, Lemonade Stands for Hope’s reach extended across our province.
Thank you to each and every stand organizer for your tremendous efforts. We are eagerly planning for the 2020 edition of Lemonade Stands for Hope. We can’t wait to have you back and grow so together we can help more people with cancer.
“You have Stage IV Hodgkin Lymphoma and must immediately begin treatment,” is a statement 29-year-old Angel Ronquillo never, ever thought she’d hear.
Last spring Angel – a passionate teacher – was busy planning for her future when she received this life-altering news. Angel was immediately faced with a new reality she needed help navigating.
Your support has been integral to Angel and others diagnosed with cancer. Your generosity funds CancerCare Manitoba’s very valuable Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program. This program guides cancer patients across our province aged 15 to 35 through their distinct cancer journey.
“There are many factors that make cancer different for AYAs. Social isolation, interruption to work and education, loss of fertility, childcare challenges and relationship stress,” explains Ian Scott, the AYA Psychosocial Oncology Clinician at CancerCare Manitoba.
During such a transitional stage in their lives, most AYAs are focusing on building relationships, higher learning, growing through self-discovery, starting their careers and their own families.
“Your generosity enables us to provide counselling which helps support the unique needs of this vibrant age group,” explains Ian.
As part of the program, AYAs also get to lean on each other through a support group with other patients going through a similar experience. In this setting they see familiar faces and offer each other hope, comfort and healing.
“Just being able to share my story, they understand. They don’t have to ask. You say how you’re feeling; your highs and lows; your struggles and they just get it,” reflects Angel.
In the past two years, the AYA program has had a far reach – accepting 426 referrals. The program’s support also extends outside of patients to family members and supporters of AYA patients.
“I want to say thank you. Your support of the AYA program has essentially saved my life,” says Angel. “Your donations are helping me heal.”
This coming spring, your investment will support Manitoba hosting the Young Adult Cancer Canada Conference. This national cancer survivor conference will bring together 150 young adults to network and participate in one-of-a-kind workshops. “It’s unparalleled in terms of its opportunities for both education and connection, but also personal growth,” describes Ian.
You are truly helping create a community of healing for these patients and they are profoundly grateful.For more information on the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program at CancerCare Manitoba visit the Patient and Family Resource Centre page on CancerCare Manitoba’s website.
A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming for patients and their loved ones. They often experience a wide range of emotions and have many questions about what lies ahead for them. Fortunately because of your support, there is a comforting place at CancerCare Manitoba which has the resources and answers they are often seeking.
Your investment funds the Patient and Family Resource Centre (PFRC), a sanctuary of sorts for the nearly 6,000 patients and family members annually who access its valuable resources and programs.
Lisa Savoie is one of these patients and she is so grateful to you. While undergoing treatment for her rare nose cancer, she benefitted tremendously from the services provided through the Centre.
“My radiation was most days for six-and-a-half weeks. I lived at CancerCare Manitoba during that time. And every day I came into the Centre,” says Lisa.
Lisa visited the resource centre after treatments or following a counselling session. It was here through the books available in the cancer library she learned to meditate. The Centre was a safe place for Lisa, offering her healing.
“If I was down, it was a place I knew I could visit if I knew I was going to have a tear. It was a place even if I wasn’t necessarily reading, I could sit down with a cookie and take a second breath before I went back to the real world. A little bit of a haven,” Lisa reflects.
The information and services provided through the resource centre are diverse and only possible because of your continued commitment to improving the lives of patients.
“Patients and their families can look through the cancer library and find information on different types of cancer, treatment and cancer-related issues such as managing nutrition, fatigue and coping with the emotional impact of cancer,” explains Lorena Gerl, CancerCare Manitoba’s Program Leader for Patient and Family Support Services.
The Centre also has information on helpful resources such as counselling services for patients and their family members, dietitians, cancer support groups, home care and so much more. On most treatment days Lisa was accompanied by her mom, Lea. While waiting for her daughter to finish her counselling sessions, Lea would visit the Centre. She found coping literature she could share with extended family members and Lisa.
Your support of the PFRC positively impacts cancer patients and families in many ways.
Without the funding provided each year, the Centre would not be able to provide patients with the vital resources needed to gain a better understanding of their disease and make informed decisions. This contributes immensely to their overall peace of mind during one of the hardest times in their lives.
Lisa, her mom and many other patients like her are so fortunate for your ongoing generosity.
For more information on the programs and services offered through the Patient and Family Resource Centre, please call 204-787-4357 or toll-free at 1-866-561-1026 or visit the Patient and Family Resource Centre page on CancerCare Manitoba’s website.
