Pigs Of Hope campaign recognizes that many cancer patients require assistance to attend medical appointments
Oxford County currently has about 40 volunteer drivers
Piggy Banks have always been a great place to store your change, but for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) locally the change is to now save your coins and collect dollars for their volunteer drivers’ program by using a piggy bank you pick up at the CCS office.
The program is called Pigs Of Hope.
With family members often living outside of the area, it can be difficult for some cancer patients to visit their doctors for out-of-town appointments or receive medical care such as chemotherapy.
The CCS has a valuable group of volunteer drivers – they are reimbursed for gas, so the average cost per trio is about $50. If you have spare time, you could consider volunteering for this integral service.
This past weekend I talked to a gentleman who said after he retires, he plans on volunteering with the CCS in this exact capacity. It’s a way to give back to the community, but most certainly make a big difference for one family.
Those with a cancer diagnosis require assistance for travelling often, but also often need a friendly face to talk to before and after treatments.
“Cancer changes everything,” says CCS Oxford County community office manager Jan Cunningham in noting that all the money from Pigs Of Hope will be directed to the local drivers program.
The idea is to adopt a piggy bank, and you may decorate it and maybe even give your ‘pet’ a name, and then feed it your spare change.
Jan Cunningham from the CCS on Daytime Oxford show
on Rogers TV with hosts Jerry and Sarah Acchione
The program, however, is very serious.
“One in five cancer patients can not get to their cancer medical appointments,” added Cunningham. “The Canadian Cancer Society has stepped up with this volunteer drivers program to alleviate the stress of transportation that a patient might have. We are pleased to offer this program and all funds collected from the Pigs Of Hope program will be directed to this program.”
Cunningham, who was a guest on the Rogers TV show Daytime Oxford and was also interviewed on the Heart FM morning show last week to chat about this initiative, knows how important this unique monetary fund is.
“Before your cancer diagnosis you may have been very self sufficient, but now you’re reaching out for support,” said Cunningham.
You can collect dollars and coins until Jan 10 and it can be ideally used at your home as you welcome many visitors over the Christmas season, but also to be displayed at a place of business.
Since the average cost of one volunteer driver appointment is $50, the CCS suggests a minimum of a $50 donation when you return your Piggy Bank to the association. Drivers are most certainly volunteers, but they are reimbursed for gas.
A story in the Woodstock Sentinel-Review noted the following stat: Last year in Oxford County, 39 drivers travelled over 70,000 km, driving more than 100 patients to 1,222 cancer-related appointments.
Call
519 537-5592
Visit
65 Springbank Ave North
You may also volunteer to be a driver for cancer patients
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EVENT
Cool Runnings, by the way, back in late October, which was a cross-country run through Roth Park on the banks of the Thames River in Woodstock, raised $14,112.
Keep an eye on this space for updates on Relay For Life in 2017, which is June 9 at 7 p.m. at CASS.
LINKS:
TWITTER:
@ccsoxfordcounty
@rflwoodstock
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