Foundation Matters – May 2022 Edition

In September 2019, the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan kicked off our very first campaign! We needed to raise $3 Million to replace and upgrade the CT Simulators at both the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina and at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre. Over 2,600 patients in Saskatchewan rely on CT simulations during their treatment each year.

We asked for your support and you answered the call!

In just over two years, the fundraising goal was met, and the last CT Simulator has been installed and is operational in Saskatoon. Together, these two machines facilitate over 37,000 radiation treatments every year; 37,000 radiation treatments made possible by you.

THANK YOU!

Our Current Campaign: Patient Care and Comfort

 

We often hear of the challenges faced by cancer patients and their families. Cancer comes at a cost and for many cancer patients, they are unable to work and often have additional expenses.

But you can help.

At the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan our goal is to ease the burden for cancer patients and ensure they have the comforts needed to provide them with the best outcome possible. Your gift to our Patient Care and Comfort Fund can make the cancer journey more caring and comfortable for patients right here at home.

Learn More

James Rathgeber, pictured here with his family, is just one of the patients who has benefited from our Patient Care and Comfort Fund.

Cancer stole his ability to hear his children; you gave it back.   

Read James' Story

Donors Working Together for Patient Comfort

Motivated by their own personal reasons, and supported by their friends and families; an incredible group of people were vital in upgrading all 22 of the chemotherapy treatment chairs at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre from manual recliners to power recliners. These power recliners allow patients and nurses to adjust the position of the chair easily with the push of a button!

Now, when a patient receives care at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre, they will be as comfortable as possible, and grateful, knowing someone cared enough to donate a new chair.

We’d like to give a special thank you to the donors who came together to replace all 22 chemotherapy chairs!

Every donor has their own personal motivations for supporting cancer patients. Below is just one story of how gratitude inspired generosity for Tyler, his family and friends.

Tyler Walby is a 21-year-old UofR student who recently won his battle against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma!

As a way to thank the nurses who cared for him during his chemotherapy treatments, he decided to ‘Pay it forward’ by fundraising with family and friends to purchase equipment for the Allan Blair Cancer Centre!

Read Tyler's Story
Age 55+ Write your Will for FREE

 

The Foundation is taking part in a Free Wills Month Campaign from June 1 to 30.

If you, your spouse or partner are 55 years or over, this campaign is for you to have a simple Will written or updated by a lawyer – at no charge – in Regina or Saskatoon. If your Will is a little more complex, you can discuss with the lawyer any extra charges.

Free Wills Month, invites you to support a charity of your choice when making your Will, but there is no obligation to do so.

Updating your Will gives you peace of mind by taking care of your family, loved ones and even a charity that is dear to your heart.  Click here to sign up.

Upcoming & Ongoing Events

Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw – From now until the end of June, you can donate your cash-out vouchers, chips or winnings into one of the donation boxes throughout the casinos. The best part? They are matching all donations up to a total of $5,000!

Sara’s on Centre Ribbon Cookie Sales – Sara Reavley, a 24-year-old childhood cancer survivor and the owner of Sara’s on Centre in Regina Beach; is giving back to the cancer centre that helped save her life. Sara is baking and selling cancer ribbon cookies with 100% of the proceeds being donated in support of the Allan Blair Cancer Centre! Cookies are $6 for a package of 6. To order, call Sara at 306-540-3281, send a Facebook message to Sara’s on Centre or visit her in Regina Beach!

Brayden Ottenbreit Close Cuts for Cancer – On May 28 at Parkland Mall in Yorkton, SK, participants will say so long to their hair! This fundraising event started in 1998 when Greg & Leone Ottenbreit’s 3-year-old son, Brayden, was diagnosed with brain cancer. Brayden sadly lost his battle but his parents continue the event in his honour. For information on cutting your hair for cancer research or to donate in support of a participant; click here.

Southern Prairie Railway Robbery Train Ride – Hop on a 1925 passenger car in Ogema, SK and ride the train to Horizon – if you dare! Local outlaws have been spotted near this track… On this ride, being robbed is a good thing so make sure you have your wallet on you! All proceeds from the robbery are being donated to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan and STARS Air Ambulance. Robbery Train Rides are taking place on July 30th, August 20th and September 17th. Book your ride today by visiting their website: southernprairierailway.ca

Past Events

Prairie Women on Snowmobiles – After 22 years, Prairie Women on Snowmobiles (PWOS) have parked their snowmobiles. Over the years, they have increased breast cancer awareness, promoted safe snowmobiling, raised nearly $3 million dollars for cancer research and care, and touched countless lives!

Since partnering with the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan in 2013, they have raised more than $444,000 to advance cancer care right here at home. Their legacy will live on through their purchases of chemotherapy chairs and many other patient comfort and care items! PWOS was also vital in the purchase of a new SUV to support the Agency’s Breast Cancer Screening Program; this SUV travels alongside the Mobile Mammography Bus which provides approximately 9,000 mammograms annually to women in rural Saskatchewan! Lastly, $100,000 that they have raised will be used toward the purchase of a new mobile mammography unit.

Sno-Pitch Extravaganza – Please join us in saying a big ‘Thank you!’ to all the supporters in Hanley, SK. Robyn Zdunich and Madison Prosofsky organize an annual softball tournament, normally held in February – Brrr! – but have been unable to host their in-person events since 2020. This has not stopped them from continuing to raise funds for a cause near and dear to them. This year, their friends, family and supporters helped raise more than $9,000 for the Saskatoon Cancer Centre to purchase a Vital Signs Monitor and Scanner, and to support the Patient Wellness Program!

Thom Collegiate Beat Cancer Fundraiser – After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, Thom Collegiate returned with their annual Beat Cancer Fundraiser on April 11-14. Although gathering size restrictions prevented the school from hosting their wrap-up pep rally, students, staff and parents all showed their support to raise money for cancer research and treatment. They even exceeded their fundraising goal raising an incredible $8,132!


THANK YOU to the event organizers and participants who are making a difference!

For the most up-to-date information on Foundation events and fundraisers, please follow us on social media.

Are you hosting a fundraiser? Want more information on hosting a fundraiser? We’d love to help!

Check out our Fundraising Toolkit and submit an Application today!

Tag us on social media @cancerfdnsask!

Host an Event

The Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan is the fundraising partner of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. Every dollar raised stays right here in Saskatchewan, supporting the work of the Agency and enhancing cancer care for the people of this province.

This year, the Cancer Agency is celebrating 90 years of providing leadership in health promotion, early detection, treatment and research for cancer. We are so proud to support this incredible legacy of care!

You can read more about the rich history of the Cancer Agency here.

Together with the Agency – and you! – we will achieve a cancer-free Saskatchewan.
Established in 2019, the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan is the fundraising partner of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.
Every dollar raised stays right here in Saskatchewan to enhance cancer treatment and care, screening programs, research and prevention.

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