Raymond leads the way in Tomorrow Project volunteers

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Westwind Weekly

What started as the presentation of a “healthy competition” between the communities of Raymond and Magrath, to round up volunteers for a research project, has extended to both Cardston and Taber now as well.

Currently, Raymond leads the way with participation numbers between the four communities involved with the Tomorrow Project, Alberta’s largest cancer research study.

The Raymond Rotary Club has formerly endorsed the Tomorrow Project, through the “Fontella Rasmussen/Boehme Challenge. This challenge was recently extended to the communities of Taber, Warner and Cardston to individually surpass Onoway, Alberta as the reigning champion of having the highest  participation per capita, about five per cent, involved in the Tomorrow Project.

Fontella, who at both 80 and 90 years of age climbed “Bears Hump” in Waterton with her family, passed away on Jan. 20, three weeks after she was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.

Sadly, it was one day prior to the Rotary’s endorsement and presentation to the councils of Magrath and Raymond, for that the support of the project has been named in her honour.

Solely based on the volunteers from each community who sign up, each municipality is only as good as the residents who participate in this productive campaign between neighboring communities.

“As of the Raymond Trade Fair, two weekends ago, we recruited 20 more people for the Tomorrow Project,” said co-organizer and Raymond local Val Boehme, who added that representatives from the project came down from Calgary to operate the booth. “Representatives are going to attend the Magrath Trade Fair this weekend (April 12) as well, and will have a booth set up there for volunteers to sign up at.”

Currently Raymond has a total of 189 people signed up. Closely nipping at their heels is the Town of Taber, with 187 participants, followed by Cardston with 102 and Magrath with 56.

A total of 75 people signed up within a 24-hour period, over two community-based events back in February as well, the Chilly Willy Fun Run and Rotary Dinner Dance.

“Due to the number of individuals from Raymond who have signed up to participate in the the Tomorrow Project, a Study Centre set up for Raymond (has been scheduled for) May 26, 27 and 28 at the Ag Society Heritage Building, and have began looking for appointments on those days,” said Boehme. “This gives the volunteers from Raymond the opportunity to have their Lifestyle Questionnaire and required lab work done in their own community rather than traveling to Lethbridge. The Study Centre can accommodate up to 140 people over the three days in the needed 90-minute interview/lab.”

Individuals or groups of people who wish to participate in the study can acquire additional information at http://www.in4tomorrow.ca, or call 1-877-919-9292.