Quantcast
Door closed on Cancer Society’s canvassing – Metro US

Door closed on Cancer Society’s canvassing

When you hear a knock at the door it will no longer be your neighbour canvassing for the Canadian Cancer Society.

After over 50 years, the Canadian Cancer Society will no longer be asking for donations at the door. Revenue has been declining since 2000 with a 59 per cent decrease since 2005, said Doug Baker, vice president of regional services.

Baker said one of the reasons the fundraiser was discontinued was because volunteers were not having a positive experience, volunteer retention was only 40 per cent from year to year.

“We have to make sure we are listening to our volunteers,” Baker said. “We have to come up with other methodologies to encourage people to give.”

People prefer to donate online from the comfort of their home, Baker said.

The Canadian Cancer Society will expand other events such as their Relay for Life and the direct mail program. Baker said that people who want to support the Cancer Society still have lots of ways to get involved.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation, another major charity in the city, will continue with door-to-door canvassing.

Media and external relations manager Natalie St-Denis said, “(canvassing) is still very successful. Overall, the satisfaction is good among our volunteers.”

A survey by the Heart and Stroke Foundation found that 86 per cent of volunteers found their experience to be ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ and 88 per cent said they would refer a friend to volunteer.