Kudos to Carole
Long-time Canadian Cancer Society volun-teer Carole Bissonnette is stepping into a new role within the organization.
Bissonnette has been the door-to-door canvas-sing campaign co-chair for the past 12 years but has decided to step down this year.
I took over the door-to-door campaign from Audrey Westcott, who chaired for many years. Pat Lewis has been my co-chair since 2001. It's time. It will give the society a chance to bring in some new blood and new ideas, said Bissonnette.
Pat and I are now involved with the Relay for Life and we are looking for someone to take over the door-to-door.
Bissonnette, herself a breast cancer survivor since the early 1990s, found volunteering with the Canadian Cancer Society a natural fit. She is also grateful to all the other volunteers who have generously donated their time over the years.
The second annual Relay for Life will be held June 24-25 at Desert Park. This year the Osoyoos Relay for Life committee wants to include the communities of Oliver, Keremeos and Bridesville in the event.
The overnight relay runs from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., because, as the phrase goes, cancer never sleeps.
I'm enjoying my involvement with the Relay for Life, which is a celebration of survivorship. We en-courage all survivors and caregivers to attend this wonderful event.rnShe added this year's event will focus on caregivers.
We want to acknowledge them in a special way. The caregivers go through a lot to be there for cancer sufferers.
We have a good, upbeat and enthusiastic board and we're planning an even bigger, better event for this year.rnBissonnette also wanted to remind everyone of Osoyoos' own cancer support group, H.O.P.E. The group meets every second and fourth Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Health Unit on Main Street.
It is very important for newly-diagnosed cancer patients to talk to survivors. H.O.P.E. has books and tapes to assist in life after medical procedures. We believe in a positive and grateful attitude to life.rnBissonnette's volun-teering has not gone unnoticed by the society. Bonnie Hall, Revenue Development Coordinator for the Interior Region of the Canadian Cancer Society, lauded Bissonnette for her work.
Carole is an amazing person. Her hard work and dedication to the Canadian Cancer Society are to be admired. She has a great personality and is an absolute pleasure to work with, said Hall.
She added Bissonnette has done a wonderful job of coordinating the Osoyoos Residential Campaign for over 10 years.
In that time, Carole and her team of amazing, enthusiastic canvassers in Osoyoos have raised approximately $13,500 per year! The Osoyoos Residential Campaign will greatly miss Carole, but we are very excited at the Canadian Cancer Society that she will be volunteering to help with Osoyoos' second annual Relay For Life.
The society is currently looking for a volunteer to fill Bissonnette's shoes as Residential Campaign Coordinator.
Carole has encour-aged and led a great team of canvassers, so the next Residential Campaign coordinator will have a great start for this year's campaign, Hall said.
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Daffodil sales, another fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society, will take place on Main Street in Osoyoos on March 23, 2006.
