Volunteer Corner

Winter 2010

Bladder Cancer Awareness Day, July 17, 2010.

Volunteers around the US are already planning a dozen local or regional events to raise awareness about bladder cancer on (or close to) July 17, 2010. Additionally, CBS’s Bob Schieffer, who is a bladder cancer survivor and long time steadfast BCAN supporter, has kindly volunteered to be a national spokesperson for the effort.

Many of the events are low key activities.  Among other things, volunteers are organizing picnics and candle lighting ceremonies, participating in athletic events while wearing BCAN t-shirts, and providing educational materials at a local fairs and festivals.

Our Volunteer Leadership Team of five experienced, committed volunteers (Nancy, Dan, Veronica, Lynda, & George – known on our online community as balihigh, JerseyGuy, VTom, lsh, & Shiz) is now meeting regularly to finalize details of the resources we will provide local volunteer organizers to help them organize and publicize their events.  Dan and Nancy organized the North Carolina Bladder Cancer Picnic last July, which is the inspiration behind holding events across the country for National Bladder Cancer Awareness Day.  These volunteer leaders will act as mentors to local organizers, so rest assured – if you want to do something on July 17 you will not be on your own.  Help will be available!

We would love for an awareness event to be held in your community in July.  If you are interested in helping organize something, or you know someone who would be interested, please get in touch with Janet McIver today by phone at 888-901-BCAN (2226) or via e-mail at volunteer@bcan.org.

Featured Volunteers – Randy Van Dusen and Jackie Nalls

BCAN Volunteer and police officer Randy Van Dusen continues to put his energy to good use to raise awareness about bladder cancer and BCAN. Having run in the California International Marathon in December, Randy is now training for the American River 50 Mile Endurance Run which takes place in April.  Randy also plans to do an event on Bladder Cancer Awareness Day!

And after sharing her inspirational story on our website, Jackie Nalls continued to help BCAN by sending a “Write for the Cure” campaign to thirty eight family members and friends. This raised over $1,000 for BCAN!  Check out our new website section, Volunteer Corner, to learn more about how you can create your own “Write for the Cure” campaign, and read more about Randy’s story and Jackie’s experience.

Other Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR): BCAN will be present at the annual AACR meeting in Washington DC from April 16 to 21. This is a major event which attracts over 11,000 medical and scientific cancer researchers. BCAN volunteers, Mary Ann, Bob, Stan, Trish, and Ev have offered to help staff BCAN’s exhibit booth.  If you live in the DC area and could help, please call 301-215-9099 or email volunteer@bcan.org.

BCAN Patient Forum: The next of our biannual patient forums will take place on May 15^th at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. BCAN needs volunteers to help with the registration desk at this free event. If you are attending and could help that morning, please call 888-901-2226 or email volunteer@bcan.org.

American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) Annual Meeting: This is another big event in the oncology calendar.  ASCO will take place in Chicago from June 4 to 8^th. BCAN volunteers Randy, Janet, Anna and Connie have already offered to help at the BCAN exhibit.  If you live in the Chicago area and think you could help at the BCAN booth, please call 888-901-2226 or email volunteer@bcan.org.