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HealthA real fighter battles cancer for 45 yearsBy Angela BlackburnOAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFoan Gibbs colour is yellow.It has been 45 years and though theJworld has changed its not enough forGibb, who sees that world every day throughyellow, not rose-coloured, glasses.Cancer still remains to be beaten. Though the insidious disease, that affectsjust about everyone in some way, wears battlescars these days from losing some battles, thewar against it has yet to be won.Gibb first began volunteering with theCanadian Cancer Society whose symbolicyellow is derived from the hope of the yellowdaffodil when she lived in Montreal.She moved here in the late 1970s andquickly got involved in the newly-formedOakville Unit.Today, Gibb is a long-time Oakville resident.She has grown along with the now over-50-year-old unit, which just recently joined an amalga-mation to become part of the Halton Unit.Gibb is now retired, a grandmother andremembers when Terry Fox came to town as thelate Canadian hero made his historic Marathonof Hope he stayed at her home.Terry Fox was driven like no one Ive everMICHELLE SIU / OAKVILLE BEAVERmet. He was absolutely focused that we can beatthis disease, said Gibb.THANKS: Joan Gibb, a volunteer of 45 years, accepts a few small gifts during the local Canadian Cancer Society's Volunteer Appreciation event at theGibbs own dad died of lung cancer, as did herOperating Engineers Banquet Hall. Gibb was among many recognized for their years of service, 10, 15, 20, 25 and in Gibb's case, 45, years.aunt, Bess Crawford, with whom she was asclose as her own mom.In the years since, Gibb has lived, sometimeswere lauded recently as the CCS Halton Unit volunteers made of my time volunteering. I Gibb.practically breathed, the Oakville Unit and itssaluted its volunteers with an appreciation gala really don't expect or need this thanks, said Across Canada, CCS drivers show compas-umbrella organizations in order to make a dif-held at the Operating Engineers Banquet Hall.Gibb who said she praises, salutes and so sion, understanding and give hours of their timeference herself.Volunteers received pins for their years of respects her fellow volunteers.driving cancer patients to their clinics, saidHer passion has lasted 45 years and shows noservice 10, 15, 20, 25 and in Gibbs case, "I continue to be a proud volunteer for the Gibb.signs of diminishing.45 years.Canadian Cancer Society because of the work of No other cancer organization provides thisCancer must still be beaten.I truly am humbled and somewhat embar-our researchers, the thousands of volunteers service, said Gibb.Her efforts, and those of other volunteers,rassed on all the fuss my unit friends, staff and and because of our wonderful drivers, said See Volunteers page 17www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, May 26, 2011 16