Canadian Cancer Society

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Canadian Cancer Society

For more than 80 years, the Canadian Cancer Society has worked to improve the lives of people affected by cancer through research, advocacy, education, and support services for people with cancer, their loved ones, and caregivers.

When the Canadian Cancer Society was founded in 1938, the five-year survival rate for people with cancer (i.e. the number of people who lived for five or more years following their diagnosis) was about 25%. Today, the survival rate for Canadians with cancer has more than doubled to about 64%. For some cancers, like thyroid and testicular cancer, the survival rates are more than 95%.

“That’s the power of research,” says Nancy Yarmel, Director Leadership Giving, Canadian Cancer Society. “Everyone that’s affected by cancer in any community in Canada is supported through the research that the Canadian Cancer Society assists with.”

The diagnosis is like a bomb explodes in your life. 

Click to see video transcript

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.

Throughout its history, the Canadian Cancer Society has played an instrumental role in improving the prevention, detection, treatment, and survivability of cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society is also the only charity that addresses and cares for people with every type of cancer.

“To me, [the Canadian Cancer Society] was, like, the place to go, the place to look for answers, the place to look for resources,” says Claudia, a Canadian Cancer Society client. “And one thing that I really appreciate, [is] all the research and all the interest that they show about all the different aspects of the cancer journey.”

The Canadian Cancer Society provides a nationwide support system for people with cancer and their family, friends and caregivers. Their programs support people undergoing cancer treatment throughout their cancer journey, from information specialists to help people understand a cancer diagnosis and treatments, to helping people travel to their cancer treatments through the Wheels of Hope program, to programs to provide wig and breast prostheses to people who cannot afford them. For a complete list of resources and services available through the Canadian Cancer Society, please visit Resources | Canadian Cancer Society.

Ontario’s public servants have supported the Canadian Cancer Society since the 1960s. Since that time, Ontario’s provincial employees have donated more than $4 million to the Canadian Cancer Society through Federated Health Charities.

You can learn about the Canadian Cancer Society at Canadian Cancer Society.

Donate to Federated Health Charities today to support a healthier Ontario and help us improve the lives of all those affected by cancer.

Click on the button below to make a donation to Canadian Cancer Society through Federated Health Charities

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For general questions:

Sarah Wood
Executive Director
437-925-6227
sarah.wood2@ontario.ca

Address

315 Front St. West, 5th Floor
Toronto, ON
M7A 0B8

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For general questions:

Sarah Wood
Executive Director
437-925-6227
sarah.wood2@ontario.ca

Address

315 Front St. West, 5th Floor
Toronto, ON
M7A 0B8

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