progress report 2014/2015

Progress Report 2014/2015Alberta/NWT Division

Cover photo: Survivors at Leduc Relay For Life 2014; photo by Christine Hopaluk. Right: Tony Archer-Shee and his

partner Loretta Clarkson; photo by Donella Swan.

Your impact in the fight against cancerYour investment in the Canadian Cancer Society is an investment in change. Together we are building on our successes so that more Canadians are surviving cancer than ever before. There are nearly one million cancer survivors in Canada and together we will continue to make great strides to reach the day when no Canadian fears cancer.

You’re making the greatest progress in the fight for lifeThe Canadian Cancer Society, Alberta/NWT Division, is pleased to share with you our Progress Report for 2014-15. As you read through the following pages, you’ll see how your generous contributions of time and money are making a significant difference in the fight against cancer.

Be proud of the difference you are making in the lives of Canadians living with cancer now and in the future.

“You know, 50 years ago they wouldn’t have known I had cancer. I would have just rotted away. That’s why I decided to give back to cancer.”

~ Tony Archer-Shee, survivor, donor

RESEARCHFunding science andimproving treatment

Left: Dr John Lewis; photo by Christine Hopaluk.

You’re funding groundbreaking science

Thanks to your support of the Society, Dr John Lewis of the University of Alberta was able to conduct a new study that confirmed “invadopodia” – a type of cell extension that enables a tumour to move – plays a key role in cancer metastasis. This is a crucial discovery as cancer is much more challenging to successfully treat once it spreads.

Dr Lewis’s study found an important new target for therapy, which could lead to the development of a drug that will prevent this type of cell extension and potentially stop the spread of cancer.

You’re improving treatmentExercise has been shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, a highly treatable disease when caught early. But stage 3 colorectal cancer survivors have about a 40 per cent chance of recurrence within three years of their diagnosis.

So Dr Kerry Courneya of the University of Alberta and his colleagues have set out to determine if physical activity is also linked to increased survivorship following the completion of treatment for colorectal cancer – a clinical trial made possible thanks to your support.

The results from this trial will determine if exercise reduces cancer recurrence. If it does, Dr Courneya says it could lead to a structured exercise program that will benefit tens of thousands of cancer survivors.

You’re stopping cancer before it startsImagine if the number of newly diagnosed cancer cases could be cut in half within the next 30 years. Research could make this a reality.

Your support of the Society was invested in a groundbreaking study that will – for the first time in Canada – determine the most comprehensive estimates of how many cancer cases could be avoided if Canadians improve their lifestyle and reduce their exposure to environmental carcinogens.

“We’ve never had a grant of this kind that brings together researchers with the healthcare providers and policy makers who can directly apply the results of our study to programs and policies that will reduce cancer incidence rates.”

- Dr Christine Friedenreich, Head, Division of Preventive Oncology in the University of Calgary’s Department of Oncology, lead study investigator

The findings from this study will help inform today’s prevention priorities and identify where public policies would have the greatest impact in reducing the burden of cancer.

Visit cancer.ca/research to read the Society’s Research Impact Report.

Investing in the very best cancer research in Canada has and will continue to make tremendous progress in the fight for life.

CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY PROGRESS REPORT 2014/2015 5

You’re alleviating the financial burden of cancerLynn Stenhouse of Fairview, AB, found herself in Edmonton for two months last fall, unable to go home, as she underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments to prepare for her third surgery after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

“It’s very stressful,” Lynn says of undergoing treatment away from the comforts of her home.

Adding to her stress was the financial burden of travel, accommodation and meal expenses that added up with every day she had to stay in Edmonton to get the treatment she needed to survive.

Fortunately she came across a Canadian Cancer Society brochure at the hospital and learned of the Society’s Financial Assistance Program*, which covers accommodation and transportation expenses for those who need to travel to cancer treatment facilities away from home. The program is funded by generous donors like you.

“The Financial Assistance Program made things a lot easier. It takes the stress and worry away at a time when you already have a ton on your plate to deal with. I truly hope that Canadian Cancer Society donors realize their support is a life-saver for those on a cancer journey.”

You’re providing empowering peer supportCrystal Pelletier had no idea what to expect when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 36 in May 2014.

While her father had previously been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and her friends lived with breast cancer, Crystal was the only one in her family and circle of friends and colleagues who had been diagnosed with gynecological cancer.

The Fort McMurray, AB, resident decided to contact the Canadian Cancer Society to see what kind of support it could offer, which is how she came to be matched with a cervical cancer survivor through the CancerConnection program.

“I participated in the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life fundraiser for many years, but I never expected I would ever need to use the services the Society offers,” Crystal says.

CancerConnection is a telephone-based peer support program that matches cancer patients and caregivers with someone who has shared a similar journey – a program made possible thanks to your support of the Society.

“I was so grateful to hear from someone who had been in my exact shoes and had travelled this path. She gave a comfort that others couldn’t. Hearing how well she is doing nine years after her diagnosis gave me hope.”

Fear, anxiety, helplessness, anger – these are common feelings experienced by people living with cancer. But knowledge and support are power.

Right: Crystal Pelletier, survivor.

6 CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY PROGRESS REPORT 2014/2015


Crystal communicated with her match for the duration of her treatment that spanned two months, and also had regular check-ins post treatment until December.

“My match was reassuring and her presence was a reminder of hope for me,” says Crystal. “Because of the generosity of Society donors and volunteers, I felt extremely supported during a difficult time.”

Today, Crystal is feeling great and is back to work full time, and continues to foster the friendship she made with her match.

*If you live in the Northwest Territories and need to

travel for your treatments, please apply to the territorial

government’s Medical Travel Program for financial

assistance.

You’re providing financial and emotional supportSUPPORT


BY THENUMBERS

*Please note some patients benefit from more than one of our programs and services in a given year.

Left: Survivors at Leduc Relay For Life 2014; photo by Christine Hopaluk.

Because of you, more than 11,600 Albertans and people living in the Northwest Territories received the financial, practical and emotional support they needed most throughout their cancer journey in 2014.

3,600+ received safe and reliable transportation to and from the treatments they need to survive.

760+ received financial assistance to cover transportation and accommodation expenses when travelling for treatment, as well as for unique end-of-life needs.

290+ were given a self-confidence boost by receiving a wig after losing their hair to cancer treatment.

1,500+ women were given a temporary breast prosthesis following surgery.

2,300+ received caring peer support by phone or online from someone who shared a similar cancer journey.

5,000+ were empowered by the most trusted information they received through the Society’s Patient Care Kits and Cancer Information Service.

10+ partner organizations (specializing in areas such as palliative care, young adult cancer and childhood cancer) received financial support from the Society to ensure we’re meeting the needs of all people living with cancer in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

To learn more about the support programs the Canadian Cancer Society offers to cancer patients, their families and caregivers, please visit cancer.ca/support.


Right: Becky Lynn with her daughters (clockwise from left) Lexy, Jada and Savannah;

photo by Alyssa Quirico.


You helped protect young people from deadly skin cancerThanks to your support, the Canadian Cancer Society was able to successfully advocate in 2014 for the Government of Alberta to bring forward legislation that will ban minors from accessing indoor tanning equipment.

The new comprehensive bill will protect Alberta youth from an unnecessary increased risk of skin cancer – including melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer.

DID YOU KNOW? The Government of the Northwest Territories banned minors under the age of 19 from accessing tanning beds in 2013.

You provided caregivers with the job security they deserveImagine having to choose between your job and caring for a dying loved one. Thanks to you, Albertans no longer have to make this choice.

The Society successfully advocated for changes to Alberta’s Employment Standards Code to include compassionate care leave, a law that came into effect February 1, 2014.

Eligible Albertans are now given up to eight weeks off work to care for a loved one at end of life. Their job – or an equivalent position – will be protected, much like those on maternity leave.

DID YOU KNOW? Since 2008, employees in the Northwest Territories have had their jobs protected while taking compassionate care leave for up to 8 weeks.

You helped clear the airBecause of you, vulnerable youth are further protected from the deadly dangers of tobacco. The Society’s advocacy work in 2014 resulted in:

• legislation coming into effect that prohibits smoking in vehicles carrying children

• legislation coming into effect that more effectively regulates and stops the sale of tobacco to minors

• the introduction of legislation that bans flavoured tobacco – a product overwhelmingly used by children and teenagers

• the inclusion of a tobacco tax increase in the 2015 provincial budget

All these laws will go a long way in preventing youth from starting to use tobacco, or help them quit, as well as protecting children from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

Use your voice to make positive change – visit takeaction.cancer.ca to send your MLA a message, asking him or her to take action on important cancer issues.

Changing public policies is one of the most effective tools for preventing cancer and helping those living with and beyond cancer.

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IMPACT STORY

SPREAD

You’re influencing healthy changeADVOCACY

“I’m thrilled to see Bill 22 come to fruition, and believe the tenacious work of the Canadian Cancer Society influenced the government to bring forward this life-saving legislation. My children and I are inspired by the Canadian Cancer Society, survivors and volunteers who come together to create powerful change to save lives and benefit our community long term.”

~ Becky Lynn , melanoma survivor, used tanning beds as a teenager

FINANCIAL GIFTS*

Annual giving

Relay For Life

Special events

Planned gifts

Tributes

Major gifts

Other

Lottery**

*Gross Revenue

** Charity lotteries are characterized as games of

chance, rather than a purely philanthropic act.

GIFTS OF TIME

Active volunteers

New volunteers

Volunteer hours

2,000+1,000+

52,700+

$3.1 million

$2.2 million$2.2 million

$2 million$493,000$391,000$274,000

$5.1 million

HOW YOU MADE THIS IMPACT

“If it hadn’t been for the Canadian Cancer Society, Dr Raymond Lai, the specialist who treated me, may not have even been anywhere near me. The Society’s funding is what allowed him to work here in Edmonton where I could easily access his world-class care and get the help I need. The Society’s impact in research is what I wanted to support, and

so I joined Relay For Life.”

~ Tonya Vandeligt, survivor, Relay For Life participant, treated by Society-funded researcher

“It’s easy enough to say it sucks to deal with cancer, but getting involved in an event where you can raise money and give back is something more than that. Relay For Life has allowed my family to get out there and make a difference.”

~ Lori Hayward, Relay For Life participant,

volunteer

Left: Amy Foggin (right) cared for her late friend Tara Pichurski after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.Right, Top to Bottom: Survivors at Leduc Relay For Life 2014, photo by Christine Hopaluk; Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus; Curl For Cancer 2014, photo by Jason Feltham.


“I know too many people who have been affected by different kinds of cancer, so it’s nice to support an organization that fights them all.”

~ Laurette Wolvansky, survivor, supporter

“Since WICC’s inception, our passionate and dedicated board has worked steadfastly to make a difference by investing in impactful research that will change cancer forever. By partnering with the Society, we believe we are making a strategic and significant impact in the fight for life.”

~ Amy Foggin, co-chair, Women In Insurance Cancer

Crusade (WICC) Alberta, donor

“We all have an important woman in our lives. A mother, daughter, sister or friend. There is no better way to celebrate these relationships than by fighting back against something that can so tragically rob us of them – cancer. Western Direct Insurance is excited to partner with the Canadian Cancer Society to make a difference in the fight for life.”

~ Jeff Burke, President of Western Financial Group

which offers the Western Direct Insurance product,

corporate partner (Quote 4 Cures fundraising

campaign during Women’s Cancer Awareness

Month in October)


The most effective way to fight back against cancer is to raise money for research, prevention initiatives, and caring support programs for people living with cancer. Thanks to your generous contributions, more than $7.5 million was raised in support of the Canadian Cancer Society, Alberta/NWT Division, in 2014/15 and was invested in:

• the most promising cancer research in Canada

• programs, services and comprehensive information for people living with cancer in our communities

• advocacy efforts for healthy public policies that will decrease the risk of cancer and protect the rights of those affected by cancer

Fundraising makes it possible for the Canadian Cancer Society to invest millions every year into our life-saving work that will bring us closer to the day when no Canadian fears cancer. Our promise to you is that we are diligent in spending every dollar wisely. That’s why we decreased our fundraising expenses by nearly 13% from our previous fiscal year.

Unfortunately, we also saw our revenue decline steeply by 11% from our previous fiscal year.

Despite the significant decrease in donations, the Society remained prudent in investing your money so it would have the greatest impact in the fight for life. In 2014-15, the Alberta/NWT Division of the Society:

• invested $7.5 million in our program delivery, research and advocacy efforts – of which more than $5.2 million was directly invested in Alberta and the Northwest Territories

• increased the number of palliative cancer patients we supported through our Compassionate Financial Assistance Program by 48%

• increased the number of cancer patients we supported through our Financial Assistance Program by 6%

• increased the number of cancer patients we provided rides to and from treatment through our Volunteer Driver Program by 11%


RESEARCH

36%

PROGRAMS

52%

ADVOCACY

12%

MISSION INVESTMENT 2014/15

Right: Volunteer Cassie Ross.

You can find our complete 2014/15 financials at cancer.ca/annualreport.

Fundraising to make an impact

15 CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY PROGRESS REPORT 2014/2015 CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY PROGRESS REPORT 2014/2015 15

to make an impactFUNDRAISING

© Canadian Cancer Society 2015

Your investment in the Canadian Cancer Society is an investment in change.

Thank you for helping to change cancer from something we fear to something

more Canadians are surviving and living well beyond every day.1-888-939-3333 cancer.ca

TTY 1-866-786-3934

progress report 2014/2015

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