Finding ways to become involved; Toronto Caribbean Newspaper and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated volunteer at the CIBC Run for the Cure, 2019

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

There was a time that the first thought that came to mind when a person heard the word cancer was, “Does this mean that I am going to die?” It is a word that has been dreaded and feared by many, and anyone who is reading this can acknowledge a person in their life who has been directly or indirectly affected by this disease. Regardless if you are an individual who subscribes to conventional ways of dealing with cancer, or complementary and alternative treatments, there has always been a push to explore ways in which to give a person who has been diagnosed with cancer some feeling of control over their health situation.

In 1992, a small group of volunteers decided that they were going to find a way to control the narrative by beginning a movement in Toronto’s High Park. It brought together 15,000 people to raise awareness and $85,000 for breast cancer. What this small group of volunteers did not recognize at that time was that they had started a movement that would become Canada’s largest single-day, volunteer-led event in support of the breast cancer cause, the CIBC Run for the Cure.  In 1997, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation began their partnership with CIBC, and today, the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure has over 80,000 participants (both in the 1K and 5K all ages run/walk) and raises $16 million annually in communities all across Canada.

I received an email from Lisa Wilkinson, President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated (Toronto Chapter), asking Toronto Caribbean Newspaper if they wanted to participate in one of their community outreach projects. This is why on Sunday, October 6^th, 2019, I made the trek downtown to join with the sisters to volunteer at the CIBC Run for the Cure. The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated established their first Canadian chapter on April 14^th, 2018, and since then, they have been making their mark here in Toronto. Their goal was not only to establish, and strengthen Greek Letter Organizations here in Canada, but to also carry on the legacy of community involvement and sisterhood. They have done this by following the five major programs of the sorority also known as the organization’s Five-Point Programmatic Thrust that includes: Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement.

Along with all the work that is done internally, they have also found ways to network with members of the community who are not sorority members by including them in initiatives that fall under each of the Programmatic Thrust. As breast cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women, it was only natural that members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated would be involved in an event that gives families, friends and supporters the opportunity to join together to honour and celebrate loved ones fighting breast cancer.

When I arrived, the team that would be helping that day was already there. Lisa had sent me all the information I needed to volunteer for the Run, and lucky for me, the Delta’s had decided to volunteer at the Food Tent. At the Food Tent, volunteers were responsible for handing out: bagels, apples, and a variety of protein bars to participants of the 1K and 5K run/walk. As I walked towards the tent, I saw Nelly Meira (Program Planning and Development Chair) speaking with Janelle McCarthy (Toronto Chapter Member) and Carolyn Smith (Cleveland Chapter Member). As soon as they saw me, they came over and gave me hugs, and introduced me to the other helping hands that had joined them that day.

Janelle McCarthy explained to me that when the organization participates in events like this, they like to invite other Greek Letter Organizations to join them. That day they were joined by Veronica Nnensa (Sigma Gamma RHO Sorority Inc.), and some brothers from the Canadian Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Claude Olugbala and Philip August as well as Nolan L. Fontaine from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. I had a lot of fun because the entire crew made me feel like I was part of the family, even though I had just met some of them that day. I had a chance to steal Nelly away before the rush of runners came to the tent, and I inquired about some of the other work that they had done this year. “This sister had a wonderful time volunteering at the Margaret Housing (formerly known as Margaret Frazier Housing). They provide housing and support services for individuals facing mental health challenges. Two weeks ago, we went to Margaret Housing and donated personal care items; we provided nail treatments and helped serve dinner. We saw the need that there was for understanding and support, and we support the holistic model that is being used at Margaret Housing to empower individuals who are suffering from varying mental illnesses.”

Overall, I had a great day with the team, and I encourage members of our community to take a more active role working with organizations that they may not have considered working with before. You never know what you will learn, and the memories that are gained are priceless. For more information on how you can become involved with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated outreach programs, contact Nelly Meira at GTAACPrograms@gmail.com.