For 75 years now, Canadians have trusted the Canadian Cancer Society to lead the fight against cancer. We strongly encourage people to ask questions about where their money goes because we believe donors should carefully weigh the impact of a charity’s work and how it improves the lives of the people it’s meant to improve.
Unlike most cancer charities in Manitoba, the Cancer Society honours donors’ wishes if they choose to designate their funds to specific purposes whether is a particular kind of cancer or a certain program or service.
All money donated to the Cancer Society helps to fight ALL cancers in Manitoba. We put donor funds to work fighting cancer in many ways by:
- Funding world-class research;
- Providing programs and services that support to those fighting cancer
- Working to prevent cancer;
- Working to bring about change so the cancer system is more responsive to cancer patients and their families
Bringing about change in the system
Just last year we spoke up on behalf of Manitobans and the provincial government agreed to cover all cancer treatment and support drugs in Manitoba. In addition, the Cancer Society was able to persuade all political parties to adopt specific initiatives to increase the fight against cancer including shortening wait times and investing more money into helping people quit smoking. Because the current government adopted the Cancer Society’s cancer agenda, some $58 million in new cancer initiatives have been announced in the last year, positively affecting the lives of 65,000 Manitobans every year.
Research
Research continues to be our largest investment. As the largest national charitable funder of cancer research in Canada (more than $490 million over the last 10 years), the Cancer Society has invested in world-class research that has been shown to have the most impact.
In Manitoba, our contribution to research has totalled $6.5 million since 2006. During this same period, the Society also funded nearly 400 clinical trials so Manitobans can receive ground-breaking treatments for breast, colorectal, brain, kidney and prostate cancer as well as leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and many other cancers.
Programs and services (link to programs and services page)
Top pick charity
Late last year, the charitable watchdog Charity Intelligence examined almost 250 charities in Canada and determined that the Canadian Cancer Society was one of its Top Pick Charities for 2012. Charity Intelligence researches and analyzes the performances of charities and provides rankings and recommendations to Canadians.
Administrative costs
The Cancer Society takes pride in the great care, respect and responsibility we bring to managing every single donor dollar we receive. Because of the generosity of volunteers and a dedicated staff, our administrative costs are less than 7% of total revenue. These funds support the activities of over 6,000 volunteers and 45 staff across Manitoba who manage and deliver vital programs and services.
Leading the cancer fight for 75 years now, the Society has the reach, strength and experience to make the most impact against ALL cancers for families in Manitoba.