As we approach National Volunteer Week April 18 to 24, Ovarian Cancer Canada salutes the more than 1,000 volunteers across the country, “who are the hands and hearts of our organization. Without these wonderful people who so generously give their time, talent and passion, we simply couldn’t make the kind of progress we are making toward our goal of overcoming ovarian cancer,” says Elisabeth Ross, Chief Executive Officer.
“Whether they are ovarian cancer survivors, family members, friends, health care providers, students or ordinary citizens, our volunteers share a commitment to this tremendous cause.”
Ovarian Cancer Canada volunteers deliver awareness and education programs, provide administrative and communication services, and help to raise funds through our signature and community events. For more information, check out our volunteer opportunities and fill out a volunteer application online.
Cheers for Volunteers!
All of our volunteers have remarkable stories about why they chose to volunteer with Ovarian Cancer Canada and what it means to their lives. Three of our volunteers share their insights and experiences with our readers.
Isabel Massey, Montreal, Quebec
“A lot of people don’t want to volunteer because they’re afraid it’s going to be draining. But I find it energizing because there’s a lot that can be done with this cause,” says Isabel Massey, a communications consultant, the mother of a teenager and a toddler, and the 2010 co-chair of the Winners Walk of Hope in Montreal.
Isabel joined the Montreal walk committee last year when she was recruited by a business colleague. When the co-chair positions became available this year, she was approached to take on one of the roles.
“It’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s not work – it’s something you choose to do and it opens up a lot of new possibilities and experiences,” says Isabel. She speaks highly of the “extremely solid team” in Montreal and believes their efforts will help “to bring awareness to women in our province about this disease and its symptoms. Ovarian cancer doesn’t have as much visibility as other cancers.
“I have a lot of admiration for people who have waged the battle with ovarian cancer and then become committed to making things better for other people with the disease. That inspires me.”
Manav Vyas, Toronto, Ontario
When he moved to Canada last year following graduation from medical school in his homeland of India, one of the first things 23-year-old Manav Vyas did was to volunteer with Ovarian Cancer Canada.
Manav was fulfilling a promise he made to himself in memory of a young patient with ovarian cancer who he met in hospital during his internship. “Her story had a tragic ending and I had it in my mind that I would do something relating to this disease.”
Manav recently has been trained to deliver Ovarian Cancer Canada’s Listen to the Whispers awareness program and he looks forward to his first presentation. In the fall, he will move to London, Ontario to pursue his master’s degree and intends to find opportunities to present Listen to the Whispers there as well. He has assisted at presentations and manned information booths at a variety of special events.
Manav is “honoured to do this work with Ovarian Cancer Canada” and encourages “husbands, sons, brothers and fathers to volunteer in support of the women in their lives.”
Anne Chase, Regina, Saskatchewan
As a 12-year survivor, Anne Chase has made a full-time job out of volunteering for the cause of overcoming ovarian cancer.
She spends about 40 hours each week delivering Listen to the Whispers programs to well women, Survivors Teaching Students presentations to medical and nursing students, providing leadership to the Saskatchewan support group for ovarian cancer survivors (SOCS) and participating as a survivor representative on Ovarian Cancer Canada’s Board of Directors.
Anne was diagnosed at age 57 with stage I ovarian cancer, which makes her the exception to the rule as the disease is most often found in the late stages when survival rates are as low as 20%.
“I figured I was left here for a reason, so I decided to get involved and do what I could to help others who weren’t as fortunate,” says Anne. She is passionate about teaching women the signs and symptoms of the disease through Listen to the Whispers because “I didn’t know anything about ovarian cancer when I was diagnosed.”
After almost a decade of volunteer work, Anne remains as committed as ever to the cause. “I’ll keep doing this work as long as I am able,” says the mother of two and grandmother of four. “It’s tremendously rewarding.”