feeding our uriosity, uncovering strengthsto continue to make cancer a global health priority. y...
TRANSCRIPT
Issue #369 February 4th, 2019 Feeding Our Curiosity, Uncovering Strengths
F O C U S
174 Oliver Road, PO Box 1087, Campbellford, ON
1-866-514-5774 or www.commcare.ca
World Cancer Day Launches New Social Media Campaign
World Cancer Day takes place every year on the 4th of February and
people around the world are asked to unite to raise awareness
about cancer.
This initiative began at the World Summit Against Cancer for the
New Millennium held in Paris in 2000. The summit was called
because globally 9.6 million people died that year from cancer and
by 2030; experts were projecting that cancer deaths would rise to
13 million.
Since then, through investing in research and innovation there have
been countless breakthroughs in medicine, diagnostics, and
scientific knowledge about cancer but we are still not immune.
According to The Canadian Cancer Society, over 800,000 Canadians are still affected by cancer and every day 565
Canadians receive their diagnosis. Lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer are the most common types of cancer
in Canada (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer).
This year, the Union for International Cancer Control, which organizes World Cancer Day, is launching a new 3-year
social media campaign with the theme: “I Am and I Will.” With this campaign, they are encouraging the public to
share stories about their cancer experiences, communicate with decision-makers and use the reach of social media
to continue to make cancer a global health priority.
By talking openly about cancer, we increase our understanding, overcome stigma and reduce fear. For those who are
fighting cancer, these conversations can provide an exchange of valuable information and knowledge. They can also
inspire others to make healthier lifestyle choices and the importance of early detection programs, to help reduce the
risk of cancers that are preventable. It is good to have conversations about access to care and how important our
skilled medical professionals are who work both in care and in research. Most importantly, having conversations
about the impact of cancer on the mental and emotional wellbeing of caregivers will help support those who are
supporting their loved ones.
On February 4th; lend your voice to this global awareness initiative by using #WorldCancerDay or share your personal
story using #IAmAndIWill on your social media platforms. It’s not a cure but a way to show your commitment to
reducing the impact of cancer for yourself, the people you love, for other Canadians and for those around the world.
If you wish to be removed from the distribution list at anytime, simply send a reply to this linked email.
Adopt a Grandparent 2018
Community Care Northumberland, Trent Hills, is happy to announce that their Adopt a Grandparent program was
a wonderful success again this year. This was the second year this program ran in Trent Hills and we would like to
extent a huge thank you to the community for the tremendous support towards this program.
We were fortunate enough to watch the program grow this year in many ways. In 2017 we delivered presents to
52 ‘grandparents’ and this year we were able to add another 21 to that list and delivered to 73 adopted
‘grandparents’ within the Trent Hills area.
For 2018 we also extended our program by having different staff members deliver this year, and some volunteers.
The route was split into six delivery routes and all the gifts were delivered on one day. Just before Christmas.
Some ‘grandparents’ wanted to open their gifts right away, others decided to wait until Christmas morning,
especially if it was the only gift they would be receiving. The feedback from the staff and volunteers involved was
that it was very fulfilling and touching to be involved in bringing cheer to those that may find Christmas hard and
often don’t receive anything. There were tears of joy, hugs and gratefulness.
There were five classrooms involved this year – 2 from
Hillcrest Public School and 3 from St. Mary Catholic
Elementary School. Pictured left classes from St. Mary: Mrs
Roy, Mrs. Gerelus and Mrs. Aronnilakkara.
This provided an opportunity to go into some of the
classrooms this year and present to the children what
Community Care Northumberland does, the purpose of our
services and particularly this program. They were all so
thoughtful, asked many questions and already had ideas of
things they could make for their ‘grandparent’. Codrington
Women’s Institute also donated to the program, which
helped with providing the schools with supplies for the children to make their gifts. We were very blessed and
grateful for this donation, and the opportunity was used to be a guest speaker at one of their meetings to discuss
the program and other services offered by Community Care Northumberland. There were also Community
Organizations that adopted, as a group of employees, but wish to remain anonymous. Many individuals in the
community came into the office to pick a tag off the tree, or call in and get information on a good match for them.
There was even one group of friends that picked a few names off the tree because they wanted to make many of
our clients loved at Christmas time and take advantage of their own joy of shopping.
The premise behind this program, piloted last year, is to bring
Christmas cheer to some of our isolated, lonely and/or less
fortunate clients. At the end of November, we start taking names
of people that would like to adopt and we ran this for 2 weeks.
Names were pulled from our client list based on priority of need
until we had enough names to match the amount of interested
adoptees. From there, we designed decorations for our
Christmas tree in the office that included basic information about
the client/grandparent on it… such as birthday, interests, dietary
restrictions and gender. Pictured: CCN staff, Andrea and Mike
sorting gifts. Continued on page 3
Continued from Page 2—Adopt a Grandparent 2018
Once we had the information gathered and on the decorations, we call the adoptees and let them know that
either they could come into the office to get the information or we could try to do a match over the phone if they
are unable to get into the office. We tried to help with the match as best as possible; most are matched based on
what they wanted to give or do for their gifts in relation to what we felt the client could use the most. It could be
homemade items and cards if the ‘grandparent’ was lonely or purchased articles of clothing or food if there was
financial burdens. There was no monetary value required for a gift. Some donors made their gifts, and the
schools had the students make the majority of their gifts. Other donors enjoyed purchasing items and had the
means to do so. This is why we consider this program unique and successful. Staff take the time to match up the
adoptees/gifts with the needs of the clients. Another unique part of this program is that it is a surprise for our
clients. They have no idea that they have been adopted and it truly proves to bring genuine appreciation if they
have been.
Grandparent Feedback:
“I don’t get many gifts at Christmas time, so this was very special
and nice. When I opened the gift, I could hardly believe how special
it was to me”
“It was very, very nice and helped get me through Christmas as my
family were not planning on coming. I opened them on Christmas
day. I was very happy to get some nice warm mittens as I had left
my mittens in my car when I sold it.”
“I shared my gifts with friends and used the money to buy
food. I don’t get many gifts so appreciated it very much”
“It was a nice surprise. There was a lot in it including
crossword books, chocolate bars and hot chocolate”
Some grandparents sent in notes and cards of thanks:
“Thank you to all the people at Community Care for the
Christmas gifts, they are very useful and thoughtful. Happy
New Year to everyone involved”
“You made wonderful memories for me this Christmas when
two of your Santa Helpers showed up with a bag of the most
well selected gifts. With all my heart, I thank you, thank you,
thank you. Once again your (Community Cares) kindness and
services were there”
One grandparent even received a stocking for his dog and cat
as well and could not believe how thoughtful it was that
someone was not only thinking of him, but also his beloved
pets. He said it truly made his Christmas.
Pictured—CCN Staff Laurie and Mike delivering to grandparents.
