Carol Ann Cole
Receives Canadian Cancer Society's
Top Award
RAISES $700,000 FOR CANCER RESEARCH
Canadian Cancer Society "Progress Report" / November 1998
Breast cancer survivor Carol Ann Cole has turned pewter into pure
gold by raising $700,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) for
cancer research. Carol Ann created the Comfort Heart, a small pewter
heart that brings comfort to cancer patients as well as raising
money for research. To recognize her significant contribution to
cancer control, the Canadian Cancer Society presented Carol Ann with
its most prestigious award - the Terry Fox Citation of Honour - at a
ceremony on October 17. Terry Fox was the first recipient of this
award created by the Canadian Cancer Society to recognize a person's
extraordinary, heroic contribution to the fight against cancer. "I'm
thrilled to accept this award from the Canadian Cancer Society,''
says Carol Ann, who lives in Halifax. "To have my contribution
recognized by an award in memory of Terry Fox, who made such a great
impact in the fight against cancer, is a great honour. This award is
a special tribute to my mother - much of my work with the Comfort
Hearts is in her memory." Both Carol Ann and her mother, Mary, were
diagnosed with breast cancer in January of 1992. Carol Ann survived;
her mother did not. During her own experience with breast cancer,
Carol Ann discovered the soothing effects of Oceanart Pewter's Worry
Heart. Seeing the potential of the Worry Heart, Carol Ann, a former
Bell Canada Vice-President, negotiated an agreement with Oceanart
Pewter to manufacture the renamed Comfort Heart. She introduced her
fundraising venture to the Canadian Cancer Society in 1996 and since
then the CCS's extensive volunteer network has helped sell the
Hearts across Canada. Each heart is sold for $10 with $6 going to
cancer research. Carol Ann's initial goal was $500,000 but having
surpassed that, she's now set her sights on $1 million. ''Carol Ann
is an excellent example of the high caliber of volunteers we have at
the Canadian Cancer Society," says Dorothy Lamont, Chief Executive
Officer of the Canadian Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute
of Canada. Carol Ann adds that Canadians and Corporations from coast
to coast have embraced the Comfort Heart with enthusiasm. "I hope
this support continues as I work toward my goal of raising $1
million for cancer research.”
One Terry Fox Citation of Honour is awarded each year by the
Canadian Cancer Society in accordance with the following criteria:
the person's contribution is national in scope; the person is
experiencing cancer or is a cancer survivor; the person's
contribution to the fight against cancer has been carried out with
personal sacrifice; the person's contribution has significantly
helped to further the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society or that
of the cancer control community, generally; the person's
contribution is of a lasting, enduring nature. Comfort Hearts are
available across the country through your local CCS office.
