Local volunteer awards
The Canadian Cancer Society’s annual Honours & Awards program recognizes the outstanding efforts of volunteers and organizations across Nova Scotia. We are delighted to highlight our 2012 Honours & Awards recipients.
If you’d like to nominate a volunteer, group or organization in your district for the 2013 Honours & Awards program, please contact kyra.jessup@ns.cancer.ca.
Lifetime Achievement
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have served with the Canadian Cancer Society for more than 15 years and whose actions have significantly furthered the Society’s mission and demonstrated our values. Only 1 volunteer was awarded this honour in 2012.
2012 recipient – Ruth Hirtle
Ruth became a member of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Mahone Bay Unit in 1974 after her young daughter passed away from bone cancer. For the past 38 years, Ruth has volunteered in many capacities including as the Mahone Bay Unit’s education chair, fundraising chair, president, Regional Unit representative and Honours & Awards chair.
Within her community, Ruth has volunteered as a residential canvasser and residential chair, Daffodil chair and volunteer recruiter. Her exceptional leadership and fundraising abilities are an inspiration to us all!
“In the 1960s, Ruth faced the death of her young daughter to bone cancer. Ruth, being the truly exceptional person that she is, turned this situation into an opportunity to fight against this disease … she is an exceptional leader, is well liked and, more so, is respected among her unit members and the community.”
– DorisRafuse, nominator
Special Recognition
The Nova Scotia Division Special Recognition Award recognizes groups, businesses or organizations that have given at least 5 years of special service to the Canadian Cancer Society and to achieving the Society’s mission and purpose. In 2012, we awarded this honour to 3 groups.
2012 recipient – Caisse populaire de Clare
The Caisse populaire de Clare played a key role in beginning Relay For Life in Clare and continues to lead the way to ensure Relay’s success within this community. Staff members volunteer on the committee, host Bank Nights for teams and promote the event by hosting fundraisers and by their community announcement sign and website.
Caisse populaire de Clare has been the top fundraising team for 3 of the last 6 years and has raised more than $77,000 in pledges, sponsorships and gifts-in-kind.
“Bringing Relay For Life to the municipality has infused the community with energy and excitement … their motivation is driven by their staff support for the cause. The RFL event is a community priority for them, as they view it as an opportunity to support the many Clare families who are struggling with cancer.”
– Brenda Burgess, nominator
2012 recipient – NSCC Cumberland/Amherst Campus
The Nova Scotia Community College Administrative Assistant program at the Cumberland/Amherst campus has been integral to Northwest District’s Daffodil Campaign for the past 5 years. Each year, the students provide clerical assistance and database management of all Daffodil pre-sale orders.
The NSCC campus has also created a fundraiser called Pink in the Rink – a community-wide initiative to raise breast cancer awareness.
“The final game of the regular season against Bridgewater Lumberjacks packed the Amherst stadium. With standing room only over the glare of the bright pink ice, the event – completely coordinated and managed by the students of the NSCC – raised over $7,000. Over 2,500 spectators were aglow in pink attire … it was an incredible event to witness.”
– Sharon Bristol, nominator
2012 recipient – Valley Credit Union
Since Relay For Life in Middleton began 9 years ago, Valley Credit Union has been a part of it. They have entered at least 1 team each year and raised an average of $1,000 each time.
They paint the Relay For Life logo on their main window each spring, keep luminaries for sale at their teller counters, offer their services on Bank Nights and have even promoted the event on their in-branch TV system.
“The commitment and excitement from the staff and management at the Valley Credit Union about Relay For Life is inspiring. They became cancer fighters and proud ambassadors of the Canadian Cancer Society … most importantly, their enthusiasm and warm smiles would melt any burden the volunteers may be experiencing.”
– Belle Grant-Fairn, nominator
Certificate of Merit
The Certificate of Merit Award recognizes individuals who have given meritorious volunteer service to the Canadian Cancer Society while demonstrating a commitment to the Society’s mission and values. In 2012, we awarded this honour to 5 volunteers.
2012 recipient – Frank MacLellan
Frank began his volunteering experience with the Canadian Cancer Society’s British Columbia/Yukon Division in 1989. After moving to Sydney in 2001, he became an integral part of the day-to-day activities of the Society’s Sydney office.
Not content with keeping to one task, Frank quickly took on the role of residential captain, became a member of the planning committee for Relay For Life in Sydney and has participated on his own Relay team, raising more than $10,000 since its first year.
“Frank is an exemplary Canadian Cancer Society volunteer who at all times is willing to take on any initiatives that support the mission … he is truly an inspiration to all Society volunteers as he works tirelessly to support the organization with his generous gifts of time, talents and passion.”
– Noreen Rowe, nominator
2012 recipient – Megan Moore
Megan has been a member of the Relay For Life in Digby committee since 2006. She has participated in various leadership roles from team recruitment to event development on this committee.
Megan has also volunteered as the health promotion team lead on the Southwest District’s council where she introduced a comprehensive SunSense program throughout her community.
Megan clearly takes the Society’s mission to heart by leading a healthy lifestyle and supporting others in her community to do the same.
“Megan is an inspiring champion of the Canadian Cancer Society and has become a reliable source of cancer information in her community. She is very generous with her time and abilities, even while holding a full-time job and raising a young family … volunteers admire her positivity, her creativity, her strength of character and her work ethic.”
– Brenda Burgess, nominator
2012 recipient – Richard Parry
Richard has been an active volunteer since 2005, starting as the chair of Jail-N-Bail and Cops For Cancer – both in Digby. He became an integral player in establishing Relay For Life in Digby, starting as the leadership chair and moving to event chair. His enthusiasm, dedication and ability to think on his feet ensured that each Relay he worked on was a success.
“Richard accepted the leadership chair role and, along with his committee members, built Relay in Digby into the success that it is today. Richard is a dedicated Canadian Cancer Society volunteer with exceptional commitment to the cause. He is one of those volunteers who is always ready, willing and able to help out with any Society activity in his community and beyond.”
– Brenda Burgess, nominator
2012 recipient – Yazeed Sobaith
Yazeed has been a volunteer with the Dartmouth Unit in many capacities for 6 years. After being visited by a residential canvasser, Yazeed’s personal connection to cancer inspired him to start a new fundraiser here in Nova Scotia called Frag For Cancer. This annual video game tournament has helped raise more than $25,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.
He has also volunteered with Curl For Cancer, Relay For Life in Dartmouth, Give to Live and residential canvassing and has even taken his gaming tournament to the Canadian Cancer Society’s Camp Goodtime for the kids to have some fun.
“Yazeed’s involvement, dedication and passion to the mission of the Society is truly exceptional … he has motivated, inspired and engaged others. Yazeed has displayed additional qualities of humanity, honesty, courage and generosity but – most of all – it is his progressive attitude that has enabled him to touch youth and engage them.”
– Kathryn Wiley, nominator
2012 recipient – Pat Westlake
After surviving breast cancer in 1999, Pat took on the fight for life by volunteering with the Canadian Cancer Society. In her extensive volunteer career, Pat has been a residential captain, Daffodil pre-sales and retail sales rep and a support volunteer for women with breast cancer.
Since 2004, Pat has participated in many Relay For Life events across the province as a survivor and team member. In 2010, she became part of the organizing committee for Relay For Life in Hants West and played a crucial role in bringing her community together to raise more support and donations at that Relay than ever before.
Pat remained a dedicated volunteer throughout her second battle with breast cancer in 2011 and continues to support this inspiring event today.
“Pat always wears her yellow survivor shirt with the confidence of a cancer fighter and the warmth of a caregiver … she is now a 2-time cancer survivor who – by simply signing up to volunteer with the event – instantly changed how her community has taken up the fight for life.”
– Amanda Bent, nominator
Youth Group Award
The Nova Scotia Division Youth Group Volunteer Award recognizes a group of young people 24 and under who have made an outstanding contribution to fundraising or have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the Canadian Cancer Society’s mission and values. In 2012, we awarded this honour to 2 youth groups.
2012 recipient – Cancer Kitties – Taylor Beuree, Renee Langlois, Kayleigh Miles and Julie Ramsay
Insert Image: Images_awards_CancerKitties.jpg alt text: The Cancer Kitties
The Cancer Kitties is a team of 4 determined young ladies who began participating in Relay For Life in The Bay 2 years ago. These girls, aged 11 and 12 at the time, set a goal of $1,000 to raise in only 1 month. They held yard sales, bake sales, bottle drives and fundraisers and collected pledges – and they raised more than $2,500! One of the team members was the third highest individual fundraiser that year.
“To Taylor, Kayleigh, Julie and Renee – you did a phenomenal job! You helped us to celebrate life, to remember life and to fight back for life. We are very proud to know you and to have worked with you. You are a great team!”
– Elizabeth Hessian, nominator
2012 recipient – Magnificent Monkeys – Ashley Bouchie, Shayla Bouchie, Sherri Bouchie, Jordan Christian, Rebecca Harper, Kristen Hartery, Dawson MacColl, Brianna MacDonald, Jessica MacDonald, John MacDonald, Tamara MacDonald, Jake MacNeil, Emma Leigh Pelerine, Julian Vanaudenhove and Thomas Wall
The Magnificent Monkeys is a team of 15 young men and women who participate in Relay For Life in Port Hawkesbury. They have stepped up and shown their local community what youth can do when united for a cause. In the past 2 years, they’ve raised more than $19,000 and haven’t stopped yet!
“It’s not just about the numbers and amounts that they’ve raised in the past, it’s about the heart and passion that drives them, the wish for that cure or that one more dollar to help out a family … their energy is contagious. They make me want to work harder and volunteer more and reach out to my community – to me that is what leadership is all about.”
– Megan Rankin, nominator
Individual Youth Award
The Nova Scotia Division Individual Youth Volunteer Award recognizes individuals 24 and under who have made an outstanding contribution to fundraising or who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the Canadian Cancer Society’s mission and values. In 2012, we awarded this honour to 3 volunteers.
2012 recipient – Raymond Burns
Raymond began volunteering with Relay For Life in Middleton as part of his grade 11 education in 2007. After 1 day of volunteering, Raymond was hooked. The following year, he was a day-of volunteer and the next year, he became the luminary co-chair.
In 2010, Raymond stepped into the event development chair position, which he still holds. In addition to helping plan Relay, Raymond is a team captain and the parade manager for the Valley District, has helped plan and host the past 3 Rally in the Valley events and has developed a 2-part head-shave fundraiser where he shaves half his head at a Relay event and the rest a few weeks later at another.
“This young man has been instrumental in keeping Relay For Life in Middleton’s organizing committee inspired and motivated for the past 3 years. His energy and progressive ideas have grabbed the attention of many people across the Annapolis Valley. Volunteers like Raymond who demonstrate this incredible level of passion and drive are the reason that our mission is possible.”
– Kristin Matheson, nominator
2012 recipient – Joanna Lushman
After listening to her phys. ed. teacher talk about the 2010 Relay For Life in Amherst, 6-year-old Joanna decided to join his team and start collecting pennies. That year, Joanna collected $28 in support of Relay. The following year, she started her efforts earlier. News spread throughout the community, and soon Joanna became a local celebrity known as “Penny Girl.” After an interview in a local paper, news spread across the province and then throughout Canada.
When Relay 2011 arrived, Joanna stepped forward during the opening ceremonies to present her cheque – she had raised $3,203.98!
“Joanna is a powerful role model. She demonstrated to this community and indeed all across Canada that leadership comes from within, has no age barrier, is born out of passion and is supported by love, and through hard work and determination, all dreams can be realized …the old adage is ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ Joanna Lushman through her phenomenal leadership has showed us that sometimes it takes a child to raise a village.”
– Sharon Bristol, nominator
2012 recipient – Sarah Sweeny
Six years ago, Sarah participated in her first ever Relay For Life in Bridgewater with her office’s team. Until then, this had been Sarah’s closest connection to cancer – hearing the stories of others and raising money to fight for life. But 2 years ago, Sarah lost a good friend to cancer. He was diagnosed and then died only 30 days later.
And in the last 2 years, Sarah has gone from participating in Relay to planning the entire event while captaining her own team.
“Her progression in Relay is incredible, from a team member, to team captain to now being the leadership chair for Relay 2012 … you could see the passion Sarah had in everything she did and was so proud of the job she was doing. She worked great with everyone, and you could tell everyone loved being around her. Sarah is such an inspiration to all young women.”
– Kayla Savoury, nominator
Distinguished Leadership Award
The Distinguished Leadership Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes leadership through a commitment to furthering the Canadian Cancer Society’s mission and values, contributions that impact the goals of the Society, innovation, team work and visionary thinking. Only 1 volunteer was awarded this honour in 2012.
2012 recipient – Amanda Allaby
Amanda began volunteering with the Canadian Cancer Society 5 years ago as a Relay For Life in Amherst committee member and team captain. In 2008, she became the survivor chair and, from 2009 until the present, has held the leadership chair position. Through this role, she has led Relay For Life in Amherst to success for the past 3 years.
Amanda’s enthusiasm and dedication for her work is evident in everything she does – even in the midst of her own personal tragedy, Amanda kept inspiring her committee to move ahead. She has great respect for everyone around her, which is clearly returned to her twofold.
“From her laughter to her compassion, she is always on. Amanda always has a can-do attitude … she gets to know her team on a personal level and is always working to make the year-long Relay planning a fun and positive experience for others … Amanda commands the Relay like she lives her life – feet firmly planted on the ground but arms stretched reaching for the sky.”
– Sharon Bristol, nominator