When we put together our 5-year strategic plan in 2009 we used the sub-title “Many Voices, One Mission”.  

I’m using it again here because I think it’s so important that people know my blog is really just one voice of many here at the Canadian Cancer Society. I’m lucky to work with so many staff and volunteers that share my commitment and enthusiasm for the work we do.

I want to use this blog to bring you my perspective – but I also want to take the opportunity now and then to introduce you to some of the great people I work with.

To start us off, I’ve enlisted two members of my stellar Senior Management Team – Cathy Adair, VP, Cancer Control and Ron Kuehl, VP, Revenue Development – to do a little guest blogging over the next month or so. They’ll introduce themselves, talk about their work and their passion and share their perspective on the work we do.

I plan to continue to open my blog to more Canadian Cancer Society voices — and bring you guest bloggers from all different roles and regions in our organization in the months ahead.  

And as always, this blog is open to your voices as well. I welcome your comments, your stories and your feedback. How are we doing? Let us know.

If you are interested in cancer research, I recommend Harold Varmus's "The Art and Politics of Science".

No, I am not really doing a book review — although you can read what the New York Times said about Varmus’s book  here.

Reading the book certainly served to remind me how incredibly important the Canadian Cancer Society’s role in funding cancer research has been in the past, continues to be presently, and will be even more so in the future.

You probably already know that we are the largest charitable funder of cancer research in the country (and that includes the incredibly important area of pediatric cancer research).  And our main focus is providing investigators with multi-year grants to actually do their research, as compared to funding infrastructure.

Recently, we did an analysis of Canadian Cancer Society grants that are active in BC, and this list totaled some $32 million – most of which was allocated to researchers at the BC Cancer Agency and the University of British Columbia.

Our mission in the Canadian Cancer Society is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer.  Research is a critical cornerstone towards our realization of this lofty aim.

Once again, we are extremely grateful to our donors who allow us the opportunity to make a real and positive difference.  In BC we continue to have the lowest overall incidence and mortality rates when it comes to cancer.  With your continued support, we hope to continue this tradition for the decades to come.

Remember, your donation to the Canadian Cancer Society not only funds research, it also helps us continue to provide information and support to people living with cancer. Click here to donate.

Summer seems to be taking its time arriving here in the Lower Mainland. But the sun is peeking out from behind the clouds a little longer every day now and I think (trust me) we’ll finally be able to pack away our winter sweaters very soon.

 After waiting for so long for the sun to shine, you might be tempted to run out unprotected – but it’s so important to remember the dangers of sun exposure. So avoid prolonged exposure at peak times, cover up, wear sunscreen and find a shady spot — enjoy the outdoors now that summer is here – but protect yourself too. And look for our Sun Sense Teams at the park or on the beach.

 And this year, we’re also on Facebook. Our “Tanning is Out” page is reaching out to teenagers online to encourage them to embrace their natural skin colour – whatever that may be – and stop tanning and using tanning beds. Our teen ambassadors have pledged to “give up the tan” and encourage their friends to do the same. You can follow their progress by joining the group. We’re also giving away great prizes all summer long.

Remember: melanoma skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer for people between the ages of 15 and 29 – but it’s also the most preventable.