Our volunteers: In their own words
April 10, 2014
April 6 to 12 is National Volunteer Week – our time to celebrate, recognize and thank all Ovarian Cancer Canada volunteers. Their talent, time and devotion to overcoming ovarian cancer are what make us successful.
“There are many important roles and opportunities for volunteers in our charity,” says Elisabeth Baugh, CEO. “Our 1,500 volunteers help improve awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, provide programs and services to women with the disease and their families, and help fund vital research for early detection, improved treatments and ultimately, a cure. We simply cannot thank our volunteers enough for all they do.”
Through our regional offices, we invited volunteers from across the country to talk about their volunteer work at Ovarian Cancer Canada and what it means to them.
Tammy Baylis: Pacific Region (BC/Yukon)
My name is Tammy and I volunteer for Ovarian Cancer Canada BC/Yukon in Vancouver. In September 2013, I attended a Knowledge is Power presentation for the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology, of which I am a member. I was shocked to have learned many facts about ovarian cancer that I didn’t know before: the present lack of a reliable screening test, the vague symptoms, and the low survival rate for patients. After the presentation, I shared this information with my friends and fellow students, and they were quite surprised as well!
I applied to volunteer for Ovarian Cancer Canada because I want to spread awareness of this devastating disease to women of all ages and families in my community. One of my main projects with Ovarian Cancer Canada is the Survivors Teaching Students presentations. I have been reaching out to instructors and we have had several successful presentations this year for future nurses, pharmacists and other health care workers.
It has been extremely rewarding to spark a chain reaction of awareness and empathy in young professionals and their patients in the Pacific Region. I’m also excited to be able to promote this cause at local events and to help with the planning and media communications regional research for LOVE HER 2014. Whether reaching out to one person in a modest booth or to hundreds at an extravagant gala, I feel that spreading knowledge and awareness in the community is a crucial component in our journey to overcoming ovarian cancer.
Carl Bird: Western Region (Alberta and Northwest Territories)
My name is Carl. I live in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and have been an Ovarian Cancer Canada volunteer for four years. In April 2010, my wife Barbara was diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer. The disease took her life in January of 2013 but not until we had started the first Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope in Yellowknife and worked to raise awareness of this horrible disease.
As the co-chair of the Walk in Yellowknife since 2010, my goal has been to raise as much awareness as possible about this disease in a community that is a little bit off the beaten path. We also strive to raise as much money as possible so that Ovarian Cancer Canada can continue to do the good work it does for women and their families who suffer through the trials and tribulations of ovarian cancer.
More recently, I was honoured to have been asked to present at LOVE HER Calgary in March, where I spoke before a group of sponsors and donors about the importance of supporting Ovarian Cancer Canada in its work. To other volunteers I say this: Continue your hard work. Keep it up. It is the only way that we will make progress towards the goals of Ovarian Cancer Canada – to overcome our country’s most fatal women’s cancer.
Wendy Sutherland and Joanne Gasper: Saskatchewan and Manitoba Region
My name is Wendy Sutherland, and along with my sister Joanne Gasper, we co-chair the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope in Regina, Saskatchewan. Almost six years ago our beautiful, amazing friend Debbie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Throughout Debbie’s journey, we watched a strong woman fight for her life – a life that consisted of family, friends and community.
Debbie’s drive to fight is what makes us fight! We are now her voice and the voice of all the precious women we have lost to this devastating disease, as well as those who continue to fight and survive! It is our mission to do whatever we can to raise money and awareness so that an early detection test can be developed. We desperately need a test so that interventions can be taken toward saving lives!
That is why the Walk is so important to us. It gives us an opportunity to unite our efforts to fight this disease. For the past few years, Regina and surrounding area continue to amaze us with the efforts that are put forth in raising funds. It is rewarding to know that we are making a difference – a difference that will one day save lives! That’s why we volunteer. Perhaps you are reading this and wondering, “Is volunteering for me?” Every effort you put forward in supporting Ovarian Cancer Canada brings us closer to the goal of saving the life of another mother, sister, daughter, wife or friend. Please consider giving of your time and energy.
Monica Bacon: Ontario Region
Monica Bacon (right) with Nancy Suenaga at an Ovarian Cancer Canada info table.
After almost 45 years as a nurse and working in gyne oncology (including research) in Canada and the USA, I believe unwaveringly that cancer can only be beaten if we all battle together as a team. My focus has primarily been on women’s cancers, and my involvement with international colleagues and patients has shown me that we share many common concerns including the need for better detection, therapy, care and support for women with cancer.
I am proud to have worked as a volunteer with Ovarian Cancer Canada since its inception in the late 1990s. Most recently, I have served as co-chair of the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope in Kingston, Ontario; as a Knowledge is Power speaker for ovarian cancer awareness and education to local and regional groups; as a committee member and speaker for symposia; and (wo)manning display tables at every possible opportunity.
Ovarian Cancer Canada is the only national charitable organization providing Canadian communities and ovarian cancer patients and their families with information, education and support while also funding critical research. This disease is a serious enemy and the battle to defeat it is the charity’s admirable primary goal. I definitely find my volunteer activities with Ovarian Cancer Canada to be fruitful and personally rewarding.
Dr. Anne-Marie Mes-Masson: Quebec Region
My name is Anne-Marie Mes-Masson. I live and work in Montreal. I got to know Ovarian Cancer Canada as a scientist as my main research focus is in ovarian cancer. I have a longstanding collaboration with Dr. Diane Provencher, a gynecologist-oncologist here in Montreal, and through our work together I have met many remarkable women who were unfortunately diagnosed with this disease.
I have been inspired by these women, not only to work hard on my own research but to also volunteer my time to Ovarian Cancer Canada in support of the cause. This includes providing my expertise to the public, participating in the Walk and raising money for ovarian cancer research, and volunteering as a Board member for the charity.
I hope that my volunteer work helps pass on the message of the importance of research, as we need more answers to combat this disease. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, so does it take a community to wage the fight against ovarian cancer. Each contribution is precious, so I would strongly encourage all who care about the women that face this challenge to come together to volunteer and support Ovarian Cancer Canada.
Barb Stewart: Atlantic Region
I live in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia and I started volunteering for Ovarian Cancer Canada after I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2009. By the grace of God, I was detected at an early stage, a true blessing at age 53. At the time, I did not realize what a "gift of life" that might be for someone, but I do now and I volunteer so that others become aware of not only what ovarian cancer is, but the dramatic difference that early detection can make in one’s prognosis. Prevention and early detection are key and that is where I like to focus my volunteer energy.
It was through my yoga practice that I noticed a subtle change in my belly. Since then I have become a yoga teacher and have taken specialized courses in “Yoga for People with Cancer” to help others on their journey. I use my teachings of yoga as my venue to encourage women to learn about ovarian cancer, their bodies and to “listen up.” To do this I attend expos, yoga fests, hold workshops and on weekends in the summer I teach yoga on the beach.
As women, we are always busy taking care of everyone else but ourselves. We need to change this to become aware and in tune with our bodies, to have that check up, to make that appointment, to not postpone, to look after ourselves as well…then maybe we will be here to look after those we love.