The organizer of central Alberta’s Relay for Life has been honoured by the Canadian Cancer Society.
Janet Dixie recently received an award for leadership in community engagement at the society’s Prairie division Impact Awards in Calgary.
“It was nice to see the work I put into the Canadian Cancer Society is noticed,” Dixie said.
For the past six years, Dixie has chaired the Relay for Life event in Red Deer, helping raise more than $200,000 for the organization.
This year, Dixie’s involvement with the society expanded, when she joined the Red Deer Run for the Cure committee as co-director.
Meeting cancer survivors and people battling cancer has been one of the best parts as a volunteer, she said.
“It’s a humbling experience when you talk to people about what they go through and their journey,” said Dixie.
“When you go to places and tell them you’re with the Canadian Cancer Society, people will open up so quickly and tell you what they’ve been through and their experiences.”
Dixie said there isn’t a specific reason why she chose to volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society.
“I just wanted to be part of something bigger in any (organization). Since then, I’ve just grown so close to the people in the Canadian Cancer Society that I couldn’t imagine being a volunteer in any other place.”
Dixie is already seeking support for the 2020 Relay for Life event, which takes place June 6 at CrossRoads Church in Red Deer County.
“I always have loved to volunteer. I wanted to be more than just a ‘day of’ volunteer. I wanted to have more of an impact with the volunteer experience and be part of something.
“I joined the Relay for Life as their volunteer recruiter, and then within a few months, I was asked to be a co-chair of the event.”
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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