WICC BC was founded in 2002. Following its first Annual Candlelight Ball and Silent Auction in April 2003, it assisted in promoting and organizing the CCC’s signature community fundraiser, “Relay for Life” in June 2003.
(l to r, A. Taylor, M. Madryga. J. Domingo & M.DaCosta)
As an employee of AXA Pacific, one of the co-founders of WICC BC, Janice seized this opportunity to get involved and support a cause which was to become her passion for the next 15 years. In a very short time, she formed a team of seven co-workers called WICC BC “Friends For Life,” which became an annual participant of the Coquitlam Relay for Life. Initially recruiting colleagues from AXA Pacific, Janice gradually spread the word through her industry contacts and recruited brokers and suppliers into the fold. Her team members were encouraged to involve their families (Janice was all about family), thus expanding the reach of the team and its fundraising effectiveness.
Janice made sure her team was taken good care of each year. She was very persuasive in securing corporate donations towards lunches and refreshments, and even a tent in the event of rain. Corporate donations also helped with employee registration fees, so that every penny of the funds raised could go towards the Canadian Cancer Society.
Janice’s energy seemed to know no bounds. In 2006, she and her colleagues decided a “gimmick” was needed to attract people to their annual “Pub Night,” an event initiated to help raise funds for the Relay for Life. As a result the rock band AXAnation was born with Janice as the band’s bass guitarist, and involved husband Ed, son Darren, as well as key AXA Pacific associates. The band was a great draw, and “Pub Night” generated some $9,000 per year in addition to funds raised from other activities of the group during the year.
Janice was also at the forefront of other fundraising initiatives introduced by WICC BC, promoting and handling orders for discounted Purdy’s chocolates and Cineplex theatre tickets for company employees, and helping with the annual WICC BC Friends For Life Annual Valentine’s Day Luncheon. There appeared to be no task too big or too small that she would not take on.
However, it was with the Relay for Life fundraiser that Janice appeared to have found her own special calling, and she persevered year after year, constantly aiming to do more despite her own challenges with cancer. As a result of her efforts, in 2011 the WICC BC Friends For Life Team was the recipient of the Canadian Cancer Society National Relay for Life Team Award for Excellence. This annual award is given to a team that embodies the spirit of Relay for Life (celebrate, remember, fight back) and serves as a model for other teams in terms of revenue generation.
This very year, Janice was dreaming up new ways to raise additional funds and generate more interest in the upcoming Relay for Life event. Using her certified fitness instructor status, she organized and directed “An 80’s Retro Workout – Let’s Get Physical” in April which generated over $1,200 towards the fundraising efforts of the Relay for Life team in June 2017.
Since its inception in 2002, WICC BC has donated more than $1.4 million to the CCS BC & Yukon Division to benefit innovative research towards cancer prevention and patient support programs. Of that amount, $207,000 is attributable to Janice’s hard work and perseverance year after year organizing fundraising activities with her WICC BC Friends for Life Team.
Janice had tremendous energy, spirit, and optimism despite her physical challenges. She was a very special and competitive woman who was constantly motivated to do more, and tireless in her enthusiasm, leadership and commitment to the causes she supported. She, and her guiding spirit, will be sorely missed by all her industry colleagues and associates, and her many, many “Friends For Life.”