The annual Jail and Bail Fundraiser at the Gateway Mall has been a long running event in Prince Albert. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Health Care

COVID-19 forces changes for cancer society in P.A.

Apr 23, 2020 | 12:32 PM

The Canadian Cancer Society is being forced to make changes due to the COVID-19 situation.

One of these changes is the closing of their office in Prince Albert. The news was broken to the organizations volunteers in an email sent out Wednesday.

In the email, the organization explained because of the circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic, they have seen a ‘catastrophic’ drop in revenues.

Dan Holinda, prairie regional executive director with the Canadian Cancer Society said they are bracing to lose about 65 per cent of their total revenues.

“We’re estimating a loss of $80 to $100 million by the fiscal year end,” he said.

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The current fiscal situation has forced a large number of layoffs. Holinda said they are currently working to raise money through online platforms and are also working to deliver services remotely and connect people with what they need. Services like Wheels of Hope has been suspended due to the outbreak.

Looking towards the future, Holinda stressed cancer society staff will still be working to have a presence in the community to work with volunteers to coordinate fundraising and events.

“We just don’t have that physical building to be in,” he said.

Overall Holinda said it is an uncertain time for the organization as they don’t know when they will be able to resume face to face contact. He added they also don’t know how fast revenues will come back for them.

“It’s a challenge that we’re learning daily what its impact is on us,” he said.

Volunteers react to announcement

The announcement from the cancer society has been met with uncertainty by volunteers. Lyle Karasiuk, who has been involved with organization for years said he didn’t know what the long-term plans are. He added the message provided to volunteers did not give much in the way of details.

“It’s really sad when you start to lose the human element of face to face contact,” he said.

Karasiuk said volunteers would be welcoming of the ability to continue to work with the cancer society on events like Relay for Life. Speaking as director of public affairs for Parkland Ambulance, Karasiuk said there is also uncertainty about what the changes mean for Jail and Bail, which the service has supported for many years.

“It’s a community event that we as an organization look forward to supporting,” he said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn