Ovarian Cancer Canada overwhelmed by greatest gift

For many people, the holiday season includes making a donation to charity. But one Halifax charity was overwhelmed after receiving a massive gift from an unlikely source. 

Ovarian Cancer Canada is the only registered charity in Canada that helps families coping with that type of the disease. It's considered the deadliest women's cancer because there's no way to screen for it. 

In Atlantic Canada, the charity has just one employee — Emilie Chiasson, who is based in Halifax. She says they struggle to get the message out that they need help. 

"Because we don't have survivors," she said. "Those people are the most motivated ones. So we don't have a huge amount of women that are out there creating a movement. We need well women and men to care about this cause. It's something that can affect any of us."

A few weeks ago, Chiasson was invited to speak in front of 100 Men Who Give a Damn Halifax. Their concept is simple: each man shows up with a cheque for $100, ready to hand over the money to one of three charities. It's based on the model started by the women. The men's group now includes hundreds of members.

"When you walk in the room, you have no idea what the room looks like, you have no idea who's in the room. And they start the clock as soon as you go in. That five minutes really goes fast," said Chiasson, who found herself far more nervous than she expected. 

Donations pour in

The men were quick to say her plea was powerful.

Every year in Nova Scotia, 80 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Chiasson only had enough money to offer one day of support programs for them each year. 

And so, the men voted, and Chiasson was handed all of their donations and then some. The total is now more than $26,000, and the offers to help keep coming in.

"We've had offers for all different services, we've had offers for printing, radio advertising. All kinds of different things that men have reached out for."

To raise that on her own, she would have had to hold a big event that required months of planning. 

"When you do things in a big way, you can have a big impact," she said. "To get that recognition, and to get that boost of money from a group of men ... is really cool because none of them will have ovarian cancer."

Because of the donation, Chaisson can now start consistent programs to help local families. She's looking at having support meetings at the new Halifax library, and yoga classes for women with cancer. 

Making a difference

Bill VanGorder, the co-founder of 100 Men Who Give a Damn Halifax, says they feel good knowing a program that could one day help their families now has some of the resources it needs. 

"I think the men coming together and knowing by doing their small part, they're able to do such a big thing and it catches everybody's attention. And frankly, it makes us all feel really good," he said. 

Combined, 100 Men Who Give a Damn Halifax and 100 Women Who Care have donated more than $240,000 to Halifax charities including shelters, community organizations and the SPCA.