Me and Ron Kuehl, VP of Revenue Development, Canadian Cancer Society, BC & Yukon Division.

When I first met Ron Kuehl a few years ago it was obvious that he was a person who cared deeply, who wanted to make a difference, and who valued the power of education to create change (his career in leading universities in Canada and the US is also testament to that). At the time, Ron was looking for a change. He was looking to be part of an organization with a big vision and a bold dream and he found it at the Canadian Cancer Society.  I think we’re very lucky to have him.

Now, in his own words, guest blogger and VP, Revenue Development, Ron Kuehl: 

Like most families cancer has touched mine closer than I would like. And it has forever changed my life.  I understand the fear that grips the patient as well as their family members when the diagnosis is pronounced – and the courage it takes to fight this disease. And in my time with the Society my admiration for those on a cancer journey has grown – these are people who live courageously. No question.

When I met Barb, and first talked about joining the Society, the timing was right — I was ready to be captured by an enormous vision and have the opportunity to partner with many to bring it to life.  In the middle of our conversation, I asked Barb to share the essence of her vision for the Society.  She posed a simple yet profound question:

“Ron,” she said. “Can you imagine a world where no Canadian fears cancer? That’s what we are trying to achieve through the work of the Canadian Cancer Society.”

A world where no Canadian fears cancer. Imagine it. 

This idea is the essence of what the Society is trying to do. Every investment in research, every prevention activity to stop cancer before it starts, and all the support provided to people on a cancer journey, works toward this noble end.

Now that’s an organization that dares to dream this big and is making a significant difference in people’s lives. Of course I had to be a part of it. And you can be part of it too.

Give.  Help us build a future where no Canadian fears cancer.

Give.  Because courageous living deserves courageous giving.

This week I penned an opinion/editorial  piece for the Vancouver Sun. It was about recent findings that say the poorer you are, the less likely you are to survive cancer. (you can find the original article in “Cancer”, a journal of the American Cancer Society).

Here’s an excerpt:

The researchers found that based on a review of the breast, colon, rectal, lung, cervical and laryngeal cancer cases in Ontario, “the survival of patients from poorer communities remains significantly inferior to those from more affluent communities.”

To many Canadians this finding might come as a surprise. In Canada, with our universal system, don’t we have equitable access to such critical services as cancer care?

To a certain extent, that appears to be true.

Data published in 2009 in the Canadian Cancer Statistics showed that five year survival rates were very similar across the country regardless of which province you reside. However, the Ontario study demonstrates that there are inequities within a province, with certain populations being better off than others.

So how does socioeconomics relate to cancer outcomes?

Actually, it hinges on the significant influence of the social determinants of health.

Social determinants of health include the basic and financial resources and supportive environments necessary for a healthy life. Access to income, affordable housing, healthy food, education, early childhood development are all factors that affect our overall health.

You can read the entire article online at the Vancouver Sun.

Now, here’s another guest blog post by Cathy Adair, VP Cancer Control: 

“Sometimes while travelling along the healing path you are catapulted miles ahead to a better place on that journey – Camp Goodtimes provided a fantastic leap forward for each of us in our family. It was a joyful, tearful, fun-filled, challenging, sharing, supporting, loving experience.” –from a family who attended Camp Goodtimes

 People who have been through cancer tell us that a critical issue in their cancer journey is finding the support they need when they need it. Everyone is unique – and support is different for each person, depending on their personal circumstances.

Support means many things to many different people. For families like one quoted above, participating in the fun and supportive environment of Camp Goodtimes brought hope, caring, and yes, empowerment.

For others, support may mean a home away from home in one of our lodges, a drive to and from treatments provided by our volunteer drivers, access to financial support, or tapping into our wonderful and caring peer support program, CancerConnection.

Support can be as close as a phone call. Our Canadian Cancer Society Information Service at 1-888-939-3333 can make a difference when facing a cancer diagnosis. Trained specialists are there to listen to your story and help you find the information, support and services that address your unique needs.

Tell us what support means to you. And let us be there for you. 

Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca.

Thanks to Cathy for her informative posts — I hope she’ll come back as a guest blogger again. My next guest blogger is Ron Kuehl, VP Revenue Development — and he’ll be posting over the next few weeks.