With nearly 300 fundraising events every year big and small, we have decided to send out a communication twice a year highlighting as much as we can. There is so much good taking place to support CancerCare Manitoba and we want you to know about it.
The collective total raised each year from community fundraisers averages close to $2 million. That is AMAZING! We mean it when we say you are making a difference. Your events make change happen, every donation moves us one step closer to beating cancer. Never underestimate the power of fundraising. Manitobans are helping Manitobans with each dollar raised staying right here in Manitoba.
Golfers Make a Hole in One Against Cancer
Did you know golf tournaments account for nearly $4 billion dollars raised for charities across North America each year? Here in Manitoba we may have a limited golf season, but when the snow melts we take full advantage.
Nearly 50 golf related events take place in support of the Foundation each year, raising nearly $500,000. If you’ve taken part in one of the amazing tournaments hosted in support of the Foundation we are so grateful. There are hard-working people hosting each of these tournaments and leagues and your support goes a long way. Here’s what some of our organizers have shared in regards to their events.
Q: Why do you fundraise for the Foundation?
“We love to give back to CCMF to help those that are battling with cancer just like Mike did back in the late 1990’s so they have the best chance to beat this terrible disease. ” – Darren Pritchard, Mike Pritchard Memorial Classic
“We started to fundraise because we all know someone who is touched by breast cancer. We have ladies that are playing golf and they are survivors. Pink night is fun and at the same time raising money for a good cause.” – Julie Klym, La Salle Women’s League
“Almost everyone has been touched by Cancer by a friend, someone you know, or a family member. Early detection, access to appropriate treatment and improved treatment options are, and will continue to be, critically important.” – Gerry Matte, St. Charles Invitational
“CCMF offers a strong community of leadership that are trustworthy to direct funds raised to much needed sources of healthcare and cancer research. Our fundraising efforts are utilized for CancerCare Manitoba’s Breast & Gyne Cancer of Hope, supplementing their efforts to deliver support to Women battling cancer.” – Cathy Lantz, Pink Ribbon Ladies Golf Tournament
Q: What tips would you give to someone who wanted to fundraise
“Find something that you enjoy doing golf, hockey, curling or any other fundraising idea and go for it – it is so rewarding. This year will be our 26th year doing our memorial golf tournament and it just keeps getting bigger and better! Last year we raised $96,000 for Cancer Care in MB! So give it a try!” – Darren Pritchard, Mike Pritchard Memorial Classic
“Be organized get all of the information you need before the event.” – Julie Klym, La Salle Women’s League
“Have the courage to ask and be specific about the cause” – Gerry Matte, St. Charles Invitational
“Understand your passions and where you wish to focus your fundraising efforts. The Foundation offers many forms of support to assist you to be successful. Prepare a target goal and develop a plan to get there. Buddy up with other fundraisers and seek a mentor to help you – or get involved with another fundraising team.” – Cathy Lantz, Pink Ribbon Ladies Golf Tournament
Q: What’s you’re favorite thing about your event
“We love to see the same people coming back year after year to help support our amazing cause as well as seeing the tournament grow each year! Last year we had our largest turnout at 306 golfers in a 1 day golf tournament and raised over $30,000 more than the previous year! And we love to donate money in Mike’s name to help those in need!” – Darren Pritchard, Mike Pritchard Memorial Classic
“Wearing pink and seeing all of the ladies getting into it and participating by wearing pink and donating to the cause” – Julie Klym, La Salle Women’s League
“I take some satisfaction in raising money for a cause that offers hope and an answer to so many people, especially children. While some cancers can’t be cured, many can and treatment options continue to get better especially with improved research options.” – Gerry Matte, St. Charles Invitational
“The community of women supporting women to raise much needed funds for women battling cancers. The event is a full day event where every golfer and volunteer knows a woman who is or has battled cancer and there is an energy throughout the day that instills a sense of hope that you are making a difference! The banquet caps off the day with a KeyNote Speaker who has been affected by cancer and is an emotional reminder of why we are here.” – Cathy Lantz, Pink Ribbon Ladies Golf Tournament
Bucks Fore Birdies
“Making a birdie (or better) is a cause for celebration – you have played the hole better than expected. While it is nice to put that low number on your scorecard, you can make your achievement even better by permanently commemorating it with a donation to ‘Bucks fore Birdies.’ Every golfer I know is appreciative about being able to play the great game of golf and the spirit of the game has always been to give back when you can. Committing to ‘Bucks fore Birdies’ for the 2023 season may be your best golf decision ever!” – Don MacDonald, Bucks Fore Birdies Fundraiser since 2020
Heroes of Hope
Manitobans between the ages of one and 18 join the Foundation’s Heroes of Hope by pledging a party or hosting a fundraiser on behalf of CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.
Our youngest philanthropists are heroes helping save lives with their fundraising and donations. Heroes of Hope receive a special certificate of our appreciate in recognition of their compassion and effort.
Heroes of Hope Highlight – Students fundraising at RW Bobby Bend School
Young Manitobans are making a difference across the province! Just like the students at RW Bobby Bend School in Stonewall who fundraised for the chance to be principal for a day.
Celebrations
Feature: Brett and Jesse
Photo: Tea Maric Photography
Last summer Brett and Jesse celebrated their wedding together with friends and family. To add extra special meaning to their day, they decided to fundraise for Manitobans touched by cancer. Read to hear how they did it and why it was an important element of their special day.
“Cancer is something we’ve always known in our lives as it has affected both of our families. It’s resulted in tough conversations, many uncertainties and cherished time. We have witnessed first hand the miracles that happen when people donate to CancerCare. Donations give us all hope that there may be a cure one day and they give our loved ones a chance for more tomorrows.
My husband, Jesse, and I got engaged in July 2020, and just over a week later his mom passed away after a short journey with an aggressive cancer diagnosis. We wished that she could make it to our wedding but time was cut short and we knew she was at peace knowing that her son had found his person.
Jesse and I were married on July 9, 2022 and it was important to us to incorporate a way to support CancerCare. Rather than the ‘traditional clink your glass for the new Mr. and Mrs. to kiss’ we decided that we would ask for a donation to CancerCare and in turn with the ring of a ‘Bell’, we would kiss. It truly touched our hearts to see members of our family and friends that have been touched by Cancer in their own way, including some survivors or those currently battling, come up and before we knew it, the jar was full and we had made $1,000 that we could donate to CancerCare. This turned out to be such a special part of our wedding day, a day that we will remember forever. Rainbows, perfectly planned sun showers bringing relief to a hot day and a random bottle of champagne popping during our thank you speech were among the signs from his mom, and other loved ones above, that they were there with us sending their love and support.
When planning a wedding we highly suggest considering a way to incorporate donations to CancerCare – whether it is doing it out of a willingness and kindness to help or on a more personal level, we will all go through an experience where it affects our lives in one way or another. It is our hope that we can inspire generosity for more tomorrows together.”
Your Fundraising in Action
Events that have raised over $1 million:
- St Charles Invitational Pro Am (nearly $2.5 million!)
- Breast Cancer Pledge Ride
- True North Events
- Pink Ribbon Ladies Golf Classic
- Kendra’s Walk
Join a thirst-quenching weekend where kids, teens, kids-at-heart, and businesses will fundraise to support a common goal…improving the lives of Manitobans affected by a cancer diagnosis.
Lemonade Stands for Hope is a free and fun way for enthusiastic change-makers like you to take action and make a difference! Imagine lemonade stands on street corners all across the province! And then picture how many patients you can help support with the donations collected at your very own stand!
Putting the Fun in Fundraising
For Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month, a group of employees from the Winnipeg Airport Authority held a leg wax fundraiser in support and celebration of one of their fire captains being in their third year of remission.
Get Involved
Manitobans host hundreds of fundraising events to make a difference for those in our province touched by cancer.
Find one to support!
Give your passion a purpose and make a difference for Manitobans touched by cancer by hosting your own fundraiser!
