Stories Along The Way

Look what daffodils do

2012-04-27T23:53:50Z

In addition to all of the videos, another big project I took on for the Canadian Cancer Society's daffodil pin campaign was writing nine stories for an insert that appeared in all Postmedia Papers in the western provinces today for Daffodil Day.

The stories I wrote appear on pages three through six, and can be read by clicking on the image below.

There is hope on the horizon...

2012-04-27T23:17:37Z

Daffodil Month has somehow slipped away from me. But I knew that I had to make the time to share with all of you at least one more video that I shot and produced for the Canadian Cancer Society. And I knew that I had to share this story with all of you today — Daffodil Day.

Today, the Canadian Cancer Society urged everyone across the country to wear the daffodil pin to show our collective support for the two in five Canadians who will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. I’ve been wearing my daffodil pin all day in honour of my grandfather, who passed away from prostate cancer eight years ago, and in honour of my childhood friend, who passed away from leukemia 21 years ago. But I also wore it to show my support for all those who are currently fighting.

As Christine McCourt says in this video, the daffodil is a small but powerful symbol of hope: "There is hope on the horizon. As dark as it may seem, things will get better," she says.

Like many people who have been touched by cancer, Christine's story is heartbreaking. Despite her devastating loss, Christine is perhaps the warmest and most welcoming woman I have ever met. And she is determined to do everything she can to fight back against cancer in honour of her late husband, Jon.

You can watch the remaining videos that I shot for the daffodil pin campaign here.

'You can hurt us, but we will win!'

2012-04-14T17:37:30Z

In the latest video that I shot and produced for the Canadian Cancer Society daffodil pin campaign, Michilynn has a strong message for cancer — one that I think a lot of us can agree with: "You can hurt us, but we will win." Have you got your daffodil pin yet? You can find a daffodil pin location here.

New daffodil videos

2012-04-12T23:34:25Z

Here are two more videos that I shot and produced for the Canadian Cancer Society daffodil pin campaign. Randy Chevrier, a long snapper with the Calgary Stampeders, and Angela Davidson, a CancerConnection volunteer, both talk about how cancer has affected their lives and what the daffodil pin symbolizes.

For those of you who don't know, CancerConnection is a telephone, peer support service that the Canadian Cancer Society offers free of charge to adults at any stage of their cancer journey. The service is also available to caregivers. You can learn more about it here.

Who Bret "The Hitman" Hart wears the daffodil for

2012-04-10T02:00:28Z

In this video, Bret "The Hitman" Hart talks about wearing the daffodil pin for his cousin, who is currently fighting leukemia. The former Stampede wrestler talked so openly about his cousin's cancer battle and his genuine hope for a cancer-free future.

Who Kirstina wears a daffodil for

2012-04-05T02:23:07Z

Here's another video that I shot and edited for the Canadian Cancer Society for its daffodil pin campaign. Kirstina is just eight-years-old and is watching her friend battle cancer for the second time. Watching a child talk about cancer is simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting — no child should ever have to endure the pain of cancer, but it's refreshing to see their genuine optimism that things will get better.

Kirstina's story is one that I really relate to. My friend passed away from leukemia just a few weeks before my seventh birthday. It will be twenty-one years later this June, and I can still vividly remember the day that my mom picked me up from school and told me that Tanya had passed away. I still remember the song that was playing at her funeral (Wind Beneath my Wings by Bette Midler — I still cry every time I hear it). I remember knowing she was sick and that's why she lost her hair and missed a lot of school. But the one thing that I remember most is the summer day we spent chasing after and catching butterflies in a field along with our siblings. That's how I choose to remember Tanya — not as a cancer patient, but as a friend!

You can see more of the videos I produced here.

Who are you wearing a daffodil for?

2012-04-04T03:18:15Z

I kicked of my New Year with a fairly significant change — I made the switch from journalism to communications. I started my new job with the Canadian Cancer Society in January and have been wonderfully busy since. My first big project is just starting to roll out, which has me very excited. I have shot and edited a series of brief videos in which people talk about why they're wearing the daffodil pin this month (which is Daffodil Month). First up is Tom, a three-time cancer survivor. Stay tuned for other videos through April!

Story — Red Deer police welcome tougher drunk-driver laws

2011-11-24T19:45:37Z

The Alberta government recently introduced tough new impaired driving legislation. Here is the story I wrote for the Red Deer Advocate, talking to various organizations to see what they had to say about the proposed bill.

Page Design — Veganism

2011-11-24T19:34:56Z

I'm responsible for the creation of the Sunday LIFE edition of the Red Deer Advocate, which always entails laying out at least one full-page feature. The image above is a recent example of a page I designed for the paper.