The local chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society kicked off the awareness campaign for Daffodil Month in April with a declaration from Mayor Al McDonald. It was the first chance the society had to show off their new office located on Lakeshore Drive in the former Tweedsmuir School.
The society is asking the public to stand in solidarity with them to fight cancer in a couple of ways. You can buy fresh cut daffodils at Parker’s Your Independent Grocer from April 20th to the 30th. Daffodil pins will be available for purchase at various locations throughout the city. You can also make a donation at any time to a volunteer in your neighbourhood or through the North Bay and District Community Officer. The other big initiative is the Paint Your Workplace Yellow campaign. Workplace fundraisers help raise money for a cause that people care about, and help to promote work place spirit during the month.
Cancer Society Senior Manager, Gil Pharand says they have a great group of volunteers but it’s become more difficult to get more because people don’t have as much time on their hands. Pharand is encouraging anyone who’d like to help out to reach out to him or anyone from the local branch to get involved. He says everyone has been touched in some way by cancer, and the passion he sees from volunteers that really keeps the organization going. Pharand says to anyone who buys a Daffodil pin, wear it with pride.
Pharand says last year in North Bay they raised just over $50,000 and there hoping to do the same sort of thing this year. He says they have a lot of programs going on during April that add up to the final tally of money raised. Pharand says it’s an exciting time of year in the community, and while any amount raised is a success they’d like to get back to where they were last year.
