Nancy Yarmel:
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national organisation. We’ve been around for a long time – eighty years – and we’re the only charity in Canada that looks after every type of cancer, either through research or through people that have the disease and helping them through support services.

Claudia H:
I went through all the stages, the fear, the denial, the negotiation, and finally, I just have to accept it. Having the diagnosis is like a bomb explodes in your life. Everything falls apart.

Nancy Yarmel:
It affects you in all aspects of your life. We say that cancer changes everything, and indeed it does. In a person’s life their job would be affected, their health, of course; the relationships in the family, it’s a strain.

Claudia H:
It was very hard, because I never, ever thought that my body will react so hard. It takes a lot of support and a lot of knowledge to get me through that.

Nancy Yarmel:
Very often, people call in and admit to us that we’re the first person they’ve reached out to after their cancer diagnosis. So it’s pretty powerful, knowing that people have come from their treatment and called the Cancer Society before they tell their family or their friends.

Claudia H:
To me, it was, like, the place to go, the place to look for answers, the place to look for resources. And one thing that I really appreciate, all the research and all the interest that they show about all the different aspects of the cancer journey.

Nancy Yarmel:
Everyone that’s affected by cancer in any community in Canada, is supported through the research that the Canadian Cancer Society assists with.

Claudia H:
Without the Cancer Society’s help, it will be like being in a dark place with no lights around and no hope. Having the opportunity to talk on the phone with somebody that knows what you’re going through, that’s amazing.

Nancy Yarmel:
We’re so thrilled that Federated Health Charities has partnered with us, and in that time, has raised $3.8 million. Last year alone, they raised $280 000.

With that kind of a contribution, that significant contribution to us, you perhaps help two hundred people go to their cancer treatment for an entire year. It’s really through the support of our donors that we’re able to provide those kinds of services to people.

Claudia H:
To the donors I would like to say, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. What you are doing is saving lives.

Nancy Yarmel:
We’re making huge strides. When we started the Cancer Society in 1938, the survival rate in the early forties was 25%. We’re now at a survival rate of 60, and some of the cancers, like thyroid and breast and testicular cancer, is approaching 90% five years’ survival rate. That’s the power of research.

Claudia H:
I will ask you to please continue donating. This is a charity that is worth to help.