Allen (Al) Goudie first encountered cancer at age 31 when one of his best friends was diagnosed with the disease.
“His illness and death affected me profoundly. Until then, I thought cancer was a disease for old people and that my friends and I were immune from such diseases,” Al says.
Cancer has affected several of Al’s friends and family throughout his life. In response, Al began volunteering at the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) in Saskatchewan.
“Cancer touches everyone, either directly or indirectly,” Al explains. “When I was offered the opportunity to volunteer at CCS, I jumped at the chance. Volunteering was something I could do to help the organization that does so much good."
For nearly twenty years, Al held many roles with CCS, including honorary solicitor and president of the Saskatchewan division. He also helped bring a call centre for the CCS Cancer Information Helpline to Regina in 1995, a service that is still incredibly important and helps tens of thousands of Canadians every year.
“There was a need across Canada for more information about cancer,” Al recalls. “People needed somebody to talk to.”
Another one of Al’s roles with CCS was as chair of the Planned Giving Subcommittee, which manages future charitable gifts from donors. In this position, he learned about the many types of gifts that donors can provide to CCS. Al decided to give a gift of life insurance, where the owner of a new or existing policy can donate the policy to charity or name the charity as beneficiary.
“Naming CCS as a beneficiary each year as I write my cheque to pay the premium, I have the satisfaction of knowing that someday this gift of life insurance will help make a difference,” Al explains. “As a bonus, I get a tax receipt for the premiums paid.”
"Planned giving allows people to give significantly more than they might give if they were just writing a cheque out of their savings account,” Al says.
Al has also become involved with CCS through Relay for Life, where he spoke to volunteers as the Division President. In 2001, he received an honorary Life membership from CCS in recognition for his 30 years of service for the organization.
Understanding the impact that donations can have firsthand, Al continues to be an advocate for planned giving to support cancer research and support programs.
“A person’s quality of life can be extended many, many years, and that's thanks to the research that has been done through the money we’ve raised to fund those initiatives,” Al says. "If you give more, you feel better. You feel like you're really helping.”
We invite you to explore the various ways you can join Al in making a difference for people affected by cancer. Our team is here to help you understand your options and to answer any questions you may have about estate and gift planning at the Canadian Cancer Society.