The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009 4 Prices include: roundtriP flight from toronto, cruise accommodation, onboard meals, entertainment & transfers * Cat. B1 has a partially obstructed view. Rates are per person, based on double occupancy for new individual bookings and are subject to availability and change at time of booking. Limited Time Offer. Ships Registry: Italy. Certain restrictions apply. For full terms and conditions please consult the Transat Holidays 2008-2010 Cruise Brochure. Transat Holidays is a member of Transat A.T. Inc. and an ACTA Canada member. ON REG# 50009486. Best Price, Best Service Since 1972 Sail your Dream Costa Atlantica Sailing from La Romana 7 nights SoutheRn caRibbean Romana (Dominican Republic), Catalina Island, Tortola, Antigua, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, St. Maarten, La Romana. April 6 April 13 Transportation/government taxes & fees additional: $560 Inside Cabin Category I1, I2 $598 Inside Cabin Category I1-I3 $598 Balcony Cabin Category B1* $828 Oceanview Cabin Category E2 $758 Oceanview Cabin Category E2 $758 Balcony Cabin Category B2-B5 $858 KING Melissa (McNabb) & Dwaine are pleased to announce the arrival of Megan Gladys, weighing 7lb., 15ozs. on February 20, 2009 at Milton Hospital. She is welcomed by grandparents John & Sherry McNabb of Acton & Albert & Gladys of Newfoundland. Many thanks to Dr. Hunter and the nursing Staff. Richard and Wendy Ward of Rockwood, along with very proud big sister Vanessa, are thrilled to announce the safe arrival of Alexis Brianna. Born December 10, 2008 weighing 6lbs 5oz. Loving Grandparents are Larry and Margaret Barnstaple of R.R.#2 Acton, Jean and John Ward of R.R.#3 Fergus. Aunties Andria and Lynda Uncles Bill, Mike and Mark. Excited cousins Emma, Aidan, Hayley and Amy. Many thanks to Drs Fraser & Perron, Nurse Eileen & the wonderful sta at Guelph General Hospital. Acton cancer survivor knows value of Canadian Cancer Society campaign By Liz Bailey Believe it or not, spring is around the corner and so are April, daffodils and the Can- adian Cancer Societys annual residential campaign. April has been the C.C.S.s big fundrais- ing month since the 1950s but lately another independent group has been canvassing in April, too. Its important that you know where your money is going to so that you can make an informed decision when someone knocks on your door. You might be asking yourself why I would be taking the time to write this article. Many of you will recognize me as being a member of the Acton Branch of the Canadian Cancer Soci- ety but more importantly, as of August 17, 2007 I have been on a journey that now allows me to call myself a cancer sur- vivor. Who knew that, after 18 years of chairing the residen- tial campaign, I would now be the recipient of the life saving research, treatment and patient services that many volunteers and canvassers gave you the opportunity to donate to? My family and I are so thankful. When my surgeon gave me the news that yes, indeed my biopsy showed that little lump in my breast was malignant; she had in her hand numer- ous booklets and information sheets to help me understand what was happening to me and what lay ahead. Guess where they came from? Yes the Canadian Cancer Society. Let me tell you those little booklets are well worn from constant use. They are written simply in laymans terms and are very reassuring. If I had more questions, the phone number was right there and I used it. When you are facing an uncertain future your brain functions very differently. I found it very hard to focus and retain information so it was nice to be able to refer to those very user friendly re- sources when I needed clarity and up to date information. I was very fortunate in that my husband and I are retired and our children are adults so we didnt need to use any of the other support services the CCS has to offer. Research! I have to be hon- est and say that I really didnt think much about it before. I know that is was very import- ant and very expensive but much too complicated for me to read a lot about. Let me tell you I have now become a walking encyclopaedia about it as I know that the results of research are the only reason I am sitting here today. My cancer was a very ag- gressive one, a grade 3. I found it myself and quickly did something about it in other words it was caught ear- ly. I cannot begin to express to you my thanks and appre- ciation for my surgeon, my oncologist, my family doctor and all of the technicians and scientists who have worked on treatments and discoveries over the years. Chemotherapy was the pits but the alternative was unthink- able. If you have watched any of the programs on TV about research you will understand why it is such a long and ex- pensive process. Years and years of work and millions of dollars go into finding bet- ter treatments. There are over a hundred different kinds of cancer and each one needs a different treatment. Many more of us are living longer because of it. I called the Guelph office to find just where your money goes to when it is donated to the Canadian Cancer Society here is some of what I found out In 2009, Acton volunteer drivers took 31 Acton clients to their cancer treatments mak- ing over 200 trips and driving 35,000 kilometres. In 2008, 52 volunteer driv- ers across Wellington County took nearly 300 clients to their cancer treatments making over 2,936 trips and driving over 240,000 kilometres. In 2008, Wel l ington County Unit, of which Ac- ton is a branch, raised almost $1,000,000 for research and services in your community. Every week, 3,200 Can- adians are diagnosed with cancer. Two in five Canadians will develop some form of cancer in his/her lifetime. In 2008-2009, the Canadian Cancer Society is funding more than $49 million towards the most promising research projects spanning prevention, early detection, new treatment options and improved support. Today, 62 percent of Canadians survive cancer, up from 33 per- cent in the 1960s. A cancer research project can cost up to $130,000 per year which supports techni- cians, trainees and provides necessary supplies. Every year, 75 percent of high scoring research appli- cations go unfunded because there is not enough money. The Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division management and expense ra- tion remains below 4%. The Societys biggest asset is its thousands of enthusiastic dedi- cated volunteers. Hopefully this has given you some information about the role the Canadian Cancer Society plays in a patients life. Now when someone comes to your door you can donate to the group you wish to both have a place in our commun- ity one covers a broader base of treatment and support and will allow thousands to live longer. I am getting on with my life three little grandsons keep my husband and I very busy but niggling at the back of my mind is the thought that the cancer may rear its ugly head again. It happened once before, why not again? I am living a much sim- pler life and am much more aware of what I put into my body, but, it is the thought of those scientists and research- ers working hard to find new treatments that keeps me, my husband, my children and my grandchildren thinking posi- tively. Remember the daffodil the symbol of hope. Liz Bailey