Sign of spring: Dal leads province in Canadian Cancer Society's workplace daffodil campaign

For the fourth year in a row, Dalhousie has led the province in its support of the Canadian Cancer Society.

Dalhousie faculty and staff raised more than $6,000 for the society as part of its annual daffodil campaign this year. It marks the fourth consecutive year the university has ordered more daffodils (at a cost of $8 per bunch) than any other workplace in the province.

“Since I took over the campaign effort in 2012, the Dalhousie community’s response has consistently been heartwarming,” says campaign coordinator Maya Churbaji (left). “Having over 60 champions in almost each of Dal’s departments enthusiastically promoting the campaign and coordinating the collection of donations is a demonstration of the vibrancy of our community, and the campaign results proudly reflect our collective positive impact.”
 
The daffodil campaign is a key fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society nationwide, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Nova Scotia division alone. It also celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2017. The money is used to fund programming and research that support cancer patients and their families, from the Cancer Information Services phone line to the society’s Camp Goodtime for children living with or beyond cancer.

“As our largest purchaser of daffodils in Nova Scotia, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the staff, students and volunteers at Dalhousie University,” says Anna Thomas, revenue development coordinator with the Canadian Cancer Society’s Nova Scotia division. She thanks Churbaji, in particular, for her six years coordinating the campaign on campus.

“These funds support cancer research, and programs and services like the Dr. Susan K. Roberts Lodge that Gives here in Halifax,” adds Thomas. “Thank you so much to the Dalhousie community, and we look forward to next year’s campaign!”

Purchases came from across all four Dal campuses, with the largest contribution ($500) coming from the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience — an effort championed by Beatrice Hanisch (administrative assistant, clinical program).

Thanks to all who helped make this year’s campaign another success.

- Maya Churbaji (Campaign Coordinator)
- Shelly Simpson (Sexton Campus)
- Amanda LeBlanc (Truro Campus)
- Ryan McNutt (Communication Advisor)
- Martha Skerry (Treasurer)
- Florence Millard (VP FA)
- Liz Publicover (HR)
- Jennifer Dooks (HR)
- Lindie Colp-Rutley (HR)
- Crista MacKinnon (HR)
- Kerri Greene (HR)
- Trisha Aylward (HR)

A special ‘thank you’ also goes to Security Officers William Embleton-Lake and Jason Fortune, along with Owen MacDonald in Financial Services who kept the money safe while we ran the campaign.