Michelle DaCruz
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 12/02) - The Canadian Cancer society is seeking volunteer cancer survivors for its Cancer Connection service beginning Sept. 16 in the NWT and Alberta.

The national program is a toll free phone-in service that matches newly-diagnosed cancer patients with cancer survivors who have a similar type of cancer within 24 hours of the patient's initial phone call.

"When people are going through this they are devastated and they need to talk," said Arlene Yaceyko, program co-ordinator, of NWT Canadian Cancer Society unit. Volunteers should be in remission for one year after treatment, so that they are healed mentally, emotionally and physically, said Yaceyko.

April's Cancer Awareness daffodil drive raised $31,000 from the territory and $18,000 in Yellowknife. Canadian North flew in the daffodils for free from Edmonton.

The money raised will be divided between NWT community patient services, administration, educational programs, peer support, training and national cancer research.

To volunteer contact Arlene Yaceyko.