Organizers, and participants at the annual Give Cancer the Finger fundraising wrap up event (Image Credit: Give Cancer the Finger)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

GIVE CANCER THE FINGER

Give Cancer the Finger wraps up successful November fundraising effort

Nov 30, 2019 | 11:03 AM

KAMLOOPS — With November coming to a close, the initial donation count from the annual Movember fundraising push in Kamloops has already surpassed last year’s total.

For the last several years, a group of Kamloops residents- who formed the charitable organization now known as Give Cancer the Finger- have worked to raise money for cancer research, patient support, and care.

While the totals have yet to be finalized, Give Cancer the Finger co-founder Steve Passmore says the November fundraising campaign raised more than the $5,500 donated last year.

“We had the one ongoing (fundraiser), which was the Fermented Finger. So that was our collaboration with Forager Vodka, which is a local vodka here in town. Nine of the restaurants in town all made their signature drinks, and we got $1 from every one of those sales,” explains Passmore, “So we don’t have the totals in yet as we’re wrapping up November from them.”

The combination of smaller promotions such as the drink collaboration, moustache growing pledges, and the sold-out wrap up event at Shark Club on Thursday (Nov. 28) is a stark contrast to what the Movember fundraising looked like several years ago.

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“We started it 4 years ago and with that we made a grand total of $400,” chuckles Passmore, while reflecting on the progress, “The growth has been phenomenal, and the overall support that the community here is showing has been great.”

When the group began fundraising for the national Movember campaign, Passmore said the focus was more on prostate cancer, and the men’s health side, however they’ve since expanded their priorities to include all types of cancer, all year round.

“We started our foundation, Give Cancer the Finger, because we wanted to make sure that everything stays here and stays local,” he explains, “As we’ve talked about before, our goal is to build a Cancer Supportive Care Centre here in Kamloops that’ll help people who get diagnosed with cancer. Help them with the diagnosis, and the post care as well.”

With the supportive care centre goal in mind, Passmore says Give Cancer the Finger has some larger events on the horizon.

“All of these are leading up to our large raffle, which we’re going to put up in the spring. And that will be the big fundraiser to raise the majority of the capital needed to build that supportive care centre.”

If someone missed the Movember fundraising events, and wants to contribute, organizers note that the group would be grateful for added support.

“So if anyone wants to help out, we’re really going to have to ramp up the volunteers here. So go to our website – which is givecancerthefinger.ca, and check it out.”

To access Give Cancer the Finger on Facebook, click here.