Two local volunteers were recently recognized for their dedication to service by the Canadian Cancer Society.
Sadie Dyck was awarded a pin for 35 years of service volunteering for the Canadian Cancer Society Lakes District Unit and Sandra deHoog was awarded the Volunteer Award of Excellence .
Dyck said to Lakes District News that it is an honour to receive the award and that she has enjoyed the last 35 years of volunteering for the organization.
According to Dyck, local resident and fellow Canadian Cancer Society volunteer Betty Hart talked her in to volunteering 35 years ago and she has remained with the organization ever since.
"For 25 years I was the treasurer," she said adding that recently she gave up her title as treasurer, but not her title as Canadian Cancer Society volunteer. "I like being with the group and I plan to keep volunteering for as long as I can," she said.
Dyck went on to say that receiving the 35 year pin means a lot to her. "It is a significant award and one that I am proud to receive," she said.
"They are a good group of volunteers .... I suppose they would have to be if I stayed that long," she laughed. "I have made a lot of friends over the years ..... I truly enjoy the friendships."
According to Lakes District Unit volunteers deHoog was nominated for the Volunteer Award of Excellence award due to her strong commitment to the community.
Kim Gillespie, Lakes District Unit volunteer said that deHoog has been a valuable and eager participant since 2001.
She spent many hours working for the Relay For Life. As secretary for the Lakes District Unit deHoog also spends many volunteer hours writing fundraising letters and press releases.
"She is always there when needed," said Gillespie in a nomination letter for the award.
DeHoog said she began volunteering when she retired from work as she was looking for something to do.
"My son was also diagnosed with cancer when he was 30 year old, he is doing really well now, but we went through a horrible year and the Canadian Cancer Society helped out a lot, so volunteering is a way for me to give back," she said.
"My son was back and forth to Prince George and Vancouver many times for chemotherapy treatments, two stem cell transplants and two surgeries. The Canadian Cancer Society helped with his transportation costs and while he was an outpatient in Vancouver he was able to stay at the Jean Barber Lodge."
"The financial help and emotional support that cancer patients get from the Canadian Cancer Society certainly helps to relieve some of the stress and worry that goes along with the disease," she said.
Dehoog's son has been cancer free for three years now. "His life is pretty much back to normal. My sister died from cancer one and a half years ago and she also had financial help from the Canadian Cancer Society and was able to stay in the lodge in Kelowna while she underwent treatment there, so I am happy to be able to repay some of that by volunteering," deHoog added.
"I have enjoyed my time volunteering, working on items for the craft table is my favourite thing to do and I do plan to keep volunteering for the society," she added.