Elsie Webb has been volunteering with Canuck Place for more than 10 years.
She was drawn to work with the children’s hospice when a friend’s baby was born with a rare chromosomal disorder and died at 10 months old. Webb says the family “fell apart” as there weren’t enough supports in place at the time.
Then Canuck Place opened.
“And I said I will volunteer there because this is so important,” recalls Webb. “The work that they do is just incredible and it’s so very important and much needed for the families.”
Volunteering is something Webb has committed to in many ways over the years. As well as regularly volunteering at Canuck Place, Webb is also a team leader for the Canadian Cancer Society’s annual daffodil campaign, which runs throughout April.
A North Vancouver resident, Webb leads a team of about 20 volunteers and can usually be seen collecting donations for the campaign in Edgemont Village. She says she is humbled by the stories people share with her while she is out in the community.
“The people in Edgemont are really, really generous,” she says. “It’s just lovely.”
Webb also volunteers with the society’s Daffodil Ball and Daffodil Dash, which also take place in April. For the past six years she has also volunteered a Camp Goodtimes, a medically supervised camp for kids with cancer and their families.
Webb lost a friend to breast cancer in 2011, so has a personal connection to the cause as well. For her work, Webb received a community volunteer award in 2014, and a national volunteering award from the Canadian Cancer Society in 2015.
“I’ve always had a passion for families and things they go through and I’ve always enjoyed giving back,” she says of why she continues to volunteer, adding she has never had a negative experience with any of her volunteer work.
“The people are just incredible, they’re extraordinary,” she notes.
Webb says she knows that volunteers make a difference and has seen that in action over the years. Giving back can be both humbling and rewarding, and she encourages others to give it a try.
While working closely with sick kids may not be suited to everyone as it can be emotionally challenging at times, Webb says participating in a program like the daffodil campaign is something anyone can do.
“All you have to do is just be there and put a smile on.”
