Peggy Truscott Award of Hope: passing the torch
July 16, 2014
When Valerie Giesbrecht of Winnipeg and Helen Martin of Hamilton learned that they would receive the 2014 Ovarian Cancer Canada Peggy Truscott Award of Hope, they felt an instant connection to the accomplished women across the country that were honoured before them. The pair will be presented with the prestigious volunteer award at the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope in their hometowns on September 7.
“It’s the courageous women like Peggy who really have made a difference. Some are gone and others continue the struggle every day,” says Helen, a dedicated volunteer who was diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer in 2005 and had recurrences in 2010, 2011 and 2013. “Peggy and the others passed the torch to us. When I pass the torch, someone else has to take it with passion,” adds Valerie, a survivor of stage 3c ovarian cancer and colon cancer, and an avid volunteer with the charity since 2007.
Named after Peggy Truscott, an Ovarian Cancer Canada volunteer and founder of the Walk, the award recognizes outstanding volunteer involvement, contribution and/or achievements in service of the charity’s mission. Peggy, who died in 2003 from ovarian cancer, was named posthumously as the first recipient of the award.
The most meaningful work I have ever done
Valerie Giesbrecht
When Valerie got the phone call about the award, “my first words were, ‘I think I am going to faint,’” she recalls. “It’s such an honour. It’s the biggest thank you I could ever get.”
Valerie has served as spokesperson for the Walk by offering her personal story to the news media. She presents Knowledge is Power public awareness and education sessions to well women so they will learn about ovarian cancer and its signs and symptoms. She attends health fairs on behalf of Ovarian Cancer Canada, and shares her story with medical and nursing students through the Survivors Teaching Students® program, helping educate the next generation of health professionals about the disease.
Valerie also provides support to women with ovarian cancer and she has been instrumental in the success of the Donna Kott Ovarian Cancer Lunch Group, a support group in the Winnipeg region. She encourages women to tell their stories of ovarian cancer, share them with a group or write about them and over the years this has proven to help many people.
“This has been the most meaningful work I have ever done in my life,” says Valerie. “I lived through these cancers to do this work and it has healed me. The women I meet are the dearest people to me. There is nothing like an ovarian cancer survivor – their strength is incredible.”
Volunteering is “really good medicine”
Helen Martin
When she learned of her award, Helen cried “tears of emotion because of my daughter,” Judy Giacchetti, her volunteer partner at Ovarian Cancer Canada. “To do these presentations with Judy, to be nominated by her and to be rewarded for what we do together is indescribable,” says Helen, who also sends a vote of thanks to her husband and family for their support of her work.
In the 1980s, Helen lost her mother and aunt to ovarian cancer. Despite her ongoing battle with the disease, Helen says her time as a volunteer for Ovarian Cancer Canada represents “the happiest years of my life because of the experiences and the amazing people I have encountered. You don’t waste a minute.” She recalls the story of a woman who attended one of her Knowledge is Power presentations, then went to her doctor and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The woman credits Helen with “saving my life” and is now a volunteer with Ovarian Cancer Canada.
Since 2007, Helen has conducted 141 activities on behalf of the charity including Knowledge is Power and Survivors Teaching Students® sessions, media interviews, health fairs and conference presentations. Over four years, her Walk team, Helen’s Heroes, has raised in excess of $40,000 for Ovarian Cancer Canada.
At 70 – an age she celebrates with great joy – Helen has no intention of slowing down her volunteer work. “If you can step out of your own situation for just a moment and do something for someone else, it’s healing. It’s really good medicine.”
Thanks to all our volunteers.
“We are so pleased to honour Helen and Valerie for their longstanding commitment to Ovarian Cancer Canada,” says Kelly Grover, Vice President of National Programs and Partners. “This year’s decision was not easy as the selection committee was so impressed by all of our award nominees. Thanks to all of our volunteers for their dedication and support – we truly appreciate it."