Although the economy was struggling, PTC managed to raise and donate $3700 to the Canadian Cancer Society last year. We are proud of our accomplishments in these tough times and we are hopeful that we will match and even surpass this amount in 2009, thanks to a few initiatives, like our partnership with Get Involved.

GetInvolved.ca is a brand new networking website aimed at bringing together like minded individuals from the non profit sector who are willing to make change possible. Get Involved is also a series of 25 documentaries airing on TVO that are celebrating people from 7 to 70 years old who are making a difference in their schools, communities and through their work.

Through GetInvolved.ca, we are inviting everyone to participate in our challenge : Purchase a picture and help the fight against cancer! Let's show everyone our commitment and engage other people from the community to do the same.

We believe that Get Involved is a wonderful initiative that can help, not only our cause, but everyone who wants to see their efforts translated in community actions. So don't wait up, join GetInvolved.ca and participate in our challenge. Let's create a movement like no other!

Our word needs to go beyond websites or the TV screen. We must tell everyone that we are committed and that we are not giving up the fight.

Get Involved now and make your contribution to the Picture the Cure's cause your goal for 2009!

Thanks to our official sponsors, LePix and The Framing Depot, we also awarded last night $500 to the lucky contestant who answered all 10 questions correctly in our one of a kind scavenger hunt. Congratulations to Catriona O. from Toronto for winning this well deserved prize!

Irina Souiki, President of Picture the Cure and Caitriona O., the winner of the $500 prize.
See more photos from the evening here.

We would like to thank everyone who attended our event, as a participating artist, supporter or cancer survivor. We also thank all people who walked by the *Hotshot Gallery and were inspired to step in and admire the artwork, even buy a frame or two. Your contribution will reach those in need and we would like to remind you that 100% of our proceeds will go to the Canadian Cancer Society and the cause that we all support so passionately.

Once more, many thanks to our sponsors, LePix, The Framing Depot and Crumpler. Last but not least, thanks to all those who donated their time and worked hard to bring another edition of Picture the Cure to life. In particular, we would like to thank Beverly, Sabrina, Liz, Carla, Gerardo, Steve, Firda and Troy for their impromptu help at the gallery as well as the gallery staff who dedicated all their resources to the success of our exhibit.

On a last note, the artwork is available for pick-up at the Framing Depot, 1335 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto (map link)

We hope to see you again next year! Stay tuned for important announcements about our organization in the next few months.

Picture the Cure, as one of those non profit organizations who strive to make a difference in the world, is encouraging everyone to celebrate this special day with a donation towards our cause. As minimal as it can be, let's demonstrate the power of the community. If everyone who visits our site or is a fan of our Facebook page or a member of our Flickr group were to donate just $5 today, we could raise over $3000 towards our cause, the fight against cancer.

Many of you have already supported us in the past and we are forever grateful for your generosity, however cancer does not sleep and people are still dying as we speak. A cure has not yet been found and thousands of sufferers need someone to hold their hand. How many people that we know, family or friends, are about to be diagnosed? Wouldn't be amazing if we could no longer fear for our lives, or for those lives that we cherish so much?

Let's celebrate today all those who dedicate their time and resources to making this world a better place. Let's celebrate Picture the Cure by becoming a part of its mission and vision. Donate today!

You can do so by using the PayPal button below. We would like to remind you that you do not necessarily need a PayPal account to make a donation, a credit card is also accepted with this link. Bank account information available upon request for direct transfers.

Thank you!

Philanthropy is the act of donating money, goods, services, time and/or effort to support a socially beneficial cause, with a defined objective and with no financial or material reward to the donor. In a more general sense, philanthropy may encompass any altruistic activity intended to promote good or improve human quality of life.

Q. Are we really making progress against cancer?
A. Absolutely. Back in the 1940s, the chances of surviving cancer were only about one in four, or 25 per cent. Today, more than 60 per cent of Canadians survive cancer. That's a very significant increase. Research has led to dramatic improvements in cancer prevention, detection and treatment. In particular, we now have high survival rates for many cancers such as testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma and childhood leukemia. And 87 per cent of Canadian women with breast cancer will now survive.

Q. What types of research does the Canadian Cancer Society fund?
A. With the generous donations we receive from Canadians, we fund almost every type of cancer research you can imagine - from breast cancer to leukemia to lung cancer to prostate cancer - and in all areas, such as prevention, environmental causes of cancer, basic molecular research, genetics, supportive care and psycho-social issues. The Canadian Cancer Society is proud to be the largest and oldest national charitable funder of cancer research in Canada.

Q. The Canadian Cancer Society funds millions of dollars in research every year. How do you make decisions about what to do with the money?
A. We take our responsibility with donor dollars extremely seriously. Hundreds of researchers across Canada submit grant applications to us every year. Every single one of these applications is subject to an internationally acclaimed, rigorous review process, considered among the best in the world. This ensures that only the best cancer research with the most potential for success receives funding.

Q. What percentage of applications get funded?
A. Despite the efforts of our many generous donors and volunteers, we do not have enough dollars to fund all the applications that our reviewers said would be the most likely to have impact. Of the more than 400 applications we received last year, we were only able to offer funding to 80 of them, about 20 per cent. Imagine how much closer we could get to unlocking the mysteries of cancer if all the best research proposals could be funded.

Q. What are some of most promising areas of research today?
A. In the last few years, we have seen enormously exciting progress in areas such as "designer drugs," cutting off the blood supply that nourishes tumours, preventative cancer vaccines (such as the HPV vaccine), cancer-killing viruses, nanotechnology, blocking growth signals that stimulate cell growth, and the identification of tumour-initiating cells. In terms of treatment, we are making huge strides as well. For example, chemotherapy treatments that are less toxic to the patient and more toxic to the cancer.

Q. Will we ever find a cure for cancer?
A. That's a question on everyone's mind, but finding one "cure" for cancer is not that simple. Cancer is actually at least 200 different diseases, so we're not likely to find a single "magic bullet" treatment or cure. Although basic cancer research has contributed many pieces to the cancer puzzle, a sudden breakthrough discovery about one type of cancer is unlikely to also provide a solution to all other cancers.

Q. What do you think can be achieved in our lifetime?
A. We have already achieved very high cure rates for many cancers, and I am convinced we will cure more and more types of cancer over time. But for those that we don't cure outright, I am confident that we will find even more innovative treatments that will make cancer a truly manageable disease that people can live with - rather than die from - like diabetes or like asthma. With continued donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, and consequently more funding available for cancer research, these goals become more attainable every day.

Q. What has changed in cancer research?
A. There has been a huge explosion of knowledge about cancer, especially in the last three decades. And just to give you a personal example - when I was a post-doctoral fellow 30 years ago, I had the job of studying one small gene family. And, over three laborious years of study, I was able to look at three or four genes in total. Well, today scientists can look at 50,000 genes at the same time! So technology has certainly helped speed up the pace of progress.

Q. What would you like to say to Canadian Cancer Society donors?
A. First of all, a huge "Thank you." Canada has a vibrant cancer research community whose research is leading the world when it comes to impact and "bang for the buck." I would encourage everyone to consider a gift - securities, funding a research program, leaving a donation in their will. These gifts from Canadians are saving lives and enriching lives every single day. I cannot imagine a better investment.

Q. What's one example of truly groundbreaking research that the Canadian Cancer Society has funded?
A. While there are far too many to mention, we are particularly proud of the work of the team of Dr. Ernest McCullough and Dr. James Till. These two brilliant Canadian scientists discovered the existence of stem cells. Stem cells have the unique ability to self-renew (reproduce themselves) and to differentiate (turn into other types of cells). This incredible discovery has saved many lives and continues to lead to new life-saving research into all types of diseases, especially cancer.

(article originally published in the Globe and Mail supplement on November 14, 2008)
Download the entire charity special information supplement in PDF.

The contest will be based on observation, general knowledge and a bit of intuition. The contestants will be required to answer a series of questions based on the photographs exhibited in the gallery and on November 25, during our closing gala, a draw will decide the winner among all correctly answered entries. One entry per person. The contestant must be over 18 years of age. All questions must be answered at the gallery.

Thanks to our sponsors for their generous sponsorship. We hope to see many of you participating. It's going to be a lot of fun!

Submissions are now open and we are reminding you that any kind of visual arts are accepted, from paintings to mixed media and photography. There will be a limit of one displayed artwork per participant. Submission fees vary from $20 to $35 CAD depending on size. Paintings and pre-framed artwork are subject to a $10 handling fee. Submissions will close on September 30, 2008.

Submissions are accepted on Flickr or by email at info[at]picturethecure[dot]ca. Please note that the gallery show is curated only artwork acceptable for display will be allowed into the pool. Please do not send high-resolution photos by email.

Gallery will be open 7 days a week and we will allow purchases at any time. We will hold opening and closing events with food, drinks, music and prizes.

We are eager to see your submissions. Cheers!

A huge thank you as well to *Hotshot Gallery staff for helping us every single step of the way and for hosting our short, but successful exhibit. We are extremely happy to have been given the possibility to display beautiful artwork that needed just a second chance to find an owner, in such a great location, in the heart of our city.

If you missed this event, please keep in mind that you can always help us reach our goal with a direct monetary donation. And if you are a Facebook member, you can follow our fundraising efforts by becoming a supporter of our campaign, thanks to the Sponsor-Me application.

We hope to see you soon, either online, attending one of our exhibits or as a participant to our next event, later this fall. Thanks again everyone!

PS. Pictures from the event can be seen in our Events Photos section.

Prints on display at the show will be sold (not auctioned) and all proceeds from this event will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. Prices range $30-$100.

We will have special pricing on our prints this evening and hopefully some exciting announcements about the main PTC event for 2008 to follow later this fall.

List of participating artists can be found here. If you plan to attend the opening reception and have a Facebook account, please indicate your presence here.

I contacted Sharon M. Ross of the Community Partnerships Program at the Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division) to ask her to outline how this donation will be put to use in the fight against cancer and below is what she had to say.

To Picture the Cure:

Thank you for your generous donation and for asking because we believe it’s important for donors know where their dollars are spent.

Once we take into account all of our many fundraising initiatives, averaged over three years, 69 cents of every dollar spent by the Canadian Cancer Society in Ontario goes towards investing in our work, specifically in the areas of prevention, advocacy, research, information and support services. Of that 69 cents, more than half is directed to funding leading-edge cancer research.

Of the remaining 31 cents, 25 cents is spent on raising the money needed to fulfill the work we do and six cents is spent on administration. To keep these costs down and to ensure the best use of every donated dollar, we rely on the help of 75,000 dedicated Ontarians who volunteer with the Society and help us in our efforts of making cancer history.

The Society and its dedicated volunteers are working in communities across the Greater Toronto Region to help those who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers.

Here are just a few ways Canadian Cancer Society volunteers have helped support people in Toronto this year:

· Canadian Cancer Society volunteers drove more than 2,900 people to approximately 38,000 treatment appointments.

· Our volunteers can also be seen in action assisting cancer patients and their families at the Odette Cancer Centre (formerly the Toronto Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre) and the Princess Margaret Hospital Lodge.

· We have 73 active peer support volunteers and one cancer support group and 4 partner support groups available to residents of all Toronto Region communities. Telephone support is also available to all residents.

Thank you once again for your dedicated support!

Warm regards,

Sharon M. Ross

It is truly amazing to hear about the number of good deeds that are performed every day by such a large group of dedicated volunteers! Thanks to your generous donations, we have achieved our goal for 2008 to make a difference in the lives of people living or about to be diagnosed with cancer.

Please continue to support us in our mission of bringing art into the spotlight while benefiting such an important charity.

Article by Kristi Graham

Picture the Cure has successfully wrapped up another month-long exhibit and fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. The July 30th gala at Steam Whistle Brewing welcomed over 200 guests with music DJ, food, drinks and prizes generously donated by our sponsors. The crowd enthusiastically participated in the silent auction that generated $8000 in sales that will be donated towards the cancer prevention and research as well as help to families affected by this devastating disease. We are extremely thankful to everyone who participated, volunteered and donated money to our initiative and indirectly to the Canadian Cancer Society. With over 50% higher than last year net proceeds, we will continue the organization of this annual event and invite everyone to keep checking our website for news and updates.

All pictures on display will be sold via silent auction during the closing gala event, on July 30, 2007. Admission to the gallery is free during the month of July, but for attending the gala, you will need an admission ticket, still available until July 20 at a special price of $10 CAD, with one beverage included.

And if you cannot attend the gala, many more gorgeous photographs are now on sale and prints only can be shipped all over the world. See how to purchase a print and make a difference.

For those who plan to attend the closing event, good luck with the bidding and see you at the show!

UPDATE : The silent auction will close at 9:00pm sharp, so come early if you wish to get your bids in in time. Pictures start at $30 CAD (framed) and $15 unframed. Our highest priced piece is set to start at $100, so there should be something for everyone!

There will be lots of door prizes, food, great music and plenty of people from all walks of life. A night to remember, don't miss it!

Dates to remember :

Gallery Opening (Picture the Cure 2007 Kick-Off) : Wednesday, July 4th, 2007
Admission : free

Gallery Closing (Official Picture the Cure Event Night) : Monday, July 30, 2007
Admission : $10 in advance, $15 at the door
Ticket includes one drink and tour of the brewery.

The gallery will be open to public throughout the month of July as following :

Monday to Saturday
Open: noon to 6 pm
Sunday
Open: noon to 5 pm

If you wish to participate and submit pieces of art, it is not too late! The submission deadline is : June 1st (don't wait until the last minute!!). Please read the FAQ or contact us if you have questions.

We hope to see you there!

Daffodil Days began as a fundraising tea party in Toronto in the 1950s when volunteers of the event decorated tables with the brightly colored flowers. Symbolizing hope and faith that cancer could be beaten, the flowers quickly became the iconography of the Canadian Cancer Society and the Daffodil Teas were born.

Soon, Toronto restaurants were donating portions of their proceeds on the opening day of the fundraising event to the Canadian Cancer Society. As patrons paid their bills, volunteers from the Society handed out daffodils as a token of appreciation. Eventually, as the daffodils gained notoriety, the Canadian Cancer Society realized they could spur more revenues for research through sales of these lovely flowers.

During the first year of daffodil sales, the Canadian Cancer Society earned $1,200. The event was such a success that other provinces across Canada, as well as the American Cancer Society, adopted the idea. Today, the Canadian Cancer Society is the largest purchaser of British Columbia daffodils, supporting an entire enterprise.

Picture the Cure supports the Canadian Cancer Society and Daffodil Month. With your donation during the month of April, you will receive a limited edition daffodil thank you card with one of the 3 photographs in this article, kindly donated by our artists (please indicate in the Paypal form which picture you wish to receive).

 

Top photograph by Dawn M. Armfield
Bottom photographs by Maina Donaldson