May and June have been watershed months at Hope & Cope.

We held four legacy events in honour of Sheila Kussner for over 40 years of dedication to Hope & Cope.

First there was the book launch.

Then we had the Soirée Papillon to thank the donors who have supported us for so many years.

At the Annual Survivorship Day celebration, we celebrated life and all the joys it brings, despite cancer.

And this week was the culmination: the Volunteer Recognition Brunch.

Without our volunteers, there would be no Hope & Cope. So it was only fitting to recognize and honour them on the last stop of this Legacy Tour.

It was the first time since 2019 that we could celebrate the wonderful people who make us who we are. Many volunteers had not seen each other in person since 2019.

If we tally up all the time they have given, our volunteers’ contributions add up to over 2000 years of help to Hope & Cope, patients, their families, friends, doctors, nurses, and many more.

“I look around the room, and I’m very proud,” said Sheila Kussner before the festivities began. “It warms my heart to see so many dedicated and caring people working for such a wonderful cause.”

Hope & Cope’s executive director, Suzanne O’Brien, feels the same way.

“It’s the first time we’ve been together in person since the pandemic,” she said. “It was heartwarming and nice to see people being recognized and others coming out to support them. Sometimes people come into your life and quickly go. Some stay a while, leave footprints on your heart, and you’re never, ever the same.”

Those footprints on your heart are the imprint of our volunteers. They change lives.

This year, 158 volunteers received a pin and a certificate in recognition of their service to Hope & Cope’s community. Volunteers receive a new pin after being with us for 5 years.

This year, for the first time, we handed out pins for 40 years of service! That is true dedication.

We will be sharing some of the volunteers’ stories in the coming weeks, as well as more insights from our leaders, Suzanne and Sheila.

For now, enjoy pictures of the event!

Would you like to earn your first pin with Hope & Cope? Join our team of volunteers today. We’re always looking for great people like you!