On Mar. 31, the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) held a fundraiser at the Seniors Drop In Centre in Fernie.
The event featured two fashion shows, with outfits provided by Ghostrider Trading Co., door prizes and refreshments.
Roughly 60 people attended the event, which, according to event organizer Bev Delyea, is the best turnout they have had in Fernie.
“The CCS had help from women of the United Church to spruce up the room with spring-coloured decor and take care of the food and drink. I think people enjoyed it as a great night out for a good cause,” said Delyea.
Delyea is the former president of the CCS in the Elk Valley, and now is a part of the committee that oversees the area. She works alongside Alice Ewanko, Barbara Kosiec, Evelyn Cutts, Celia Roccamatisi and Geraldine Rocca.
“The Fernie CCS unit has been involved in supporting Relay for Life, which is this year in Elkford, with education through pamphlets and posters, and health promotion initiatives such as supporting the city’s adoption of a ban on the use of cosmetic pesticides,” said Deylea. “We work closely with the CCS sub-regional office in Cranbrook. The unit is always in need of more volunteers and people can contact anyone in the unit for more information.”
Julianne Mulnar, 7, helped pass out daffodils at the Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser on Mar. 31.
The event coincided with the beginning of Daffodil Month, the annual fundraising campaign for the Canadian Cancer Society. Since the 1950s, daffodils are delivered to communities across Canada to raise awareness and funds for the CCS.
“The daffodil continues to symbolize strength and courage in the fight against cancer. Money raised through flower sales helps people living with cancer and funds life-saving research, prevention, information and support services,” said Delyea.
According to Delyea, Fernie has a strong history of supporting the CCS’s campaigns.
“Fernie has had a continuously active cancer society unit for about 60 years — before they had a combination coffee party and fashion show for about the past ten years, the unit held a coffee party in a meeting room of a hotel with a guest speaker and invited all the door-to-door canvassers to come.”
Daffodils are available for sale for a limited time, while supplies last. However daffodil pins are available until the end of April.
For more information on the Canadian Cancer Society and the daffodil campaign, visit Cancer.ca.