Since 2002 the Kamsack Cancer Self Help Group (KCSHG) has been holding a fundraiser luncheon to do its part in helping eradicate cancer.
The group began meeting in 2002, and started an annual fundraiser in 2003 in support of the Prairie Women on Snowmobiles (PWOS), who will be riding in Mission 2019 on February 2 to 8, according to Jan Derwores, a charter member of the group.
“We hold our fundraiser in January or early February to raise funds to donate a portion of proceeds to PWOS, Victoria’s Quilts for Cancer and Ronald McDonald House,” said Adeline Nykolaishen, group treasurer.
“We’ve had to put up with blowing snow, freezing rain and ice and cold temperatures in the past. We have to go on despite the weather.”
This year the soup and sandwich fundraiser was held in the lower level of the St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church, and despite the minus 40C temperatures, the event was a success, according to organizers.
A variety of homemade soups and sandwiches, along with pickles, dainties, coffee, tea or juice were provided at the luncheon.
“This year the women of St. Stephen’s volunteered to help with fundraiser preparations and clean-up,” said Eve Banks, chair of the KCSHG. “We wish to acknowledge them for the help they provided. We wish to acknowledge everyone who braved the cold and supported this year’s fundraiser.”
The Kamsack Heart and Home Quilt Club, which meets in the Westminster Memorial United Church, lower level, from September to December, had managed to produce 51 quilts to donate to Victoria’s Quilts for Cancer.
The group had put out a plea for donations of 100 per cent cotton fabrics earlier in December, as its “stashes and selections of fabric are getting low.”
Although the group numbers only six seamstresses, Colleen Koroluk, group spokesperson, had presented ideas to recruit more helpers. “We might possibly recruit the young Home Economics students to come and help with the quilts,” she said. “They could help us out with the ironing, cutting and sewing, get credit for volunteering, and then have a wonderful addition to their résumés.”
The KCSHG holds regular meetings on the third Tuesday of the month in the boardroom of the Saskatchewan Health Authority building on Queen Elizabeth Boulevard East at 1:30 p.m.
“Each year on February 4, World Cancer Day is observed to empower all of us across the world to show support, raise our collective voice, take personal action and press our governments to do more,” said information on the Internet. “World Cancer Day is the only day on the global health calendar where we can all unite and rally under the one banner of cancer in a positive and inspiring way.”
The theme for 2019 was "I am and I will." (I am an advocate and I will speak up.)
“It’s all about your story and your commitment,” the information said.
