This week is all about our volunteers! From British Columbia to Newfoundland, these are the people at the very heart of our organization who enable us to make advancements in Crohn’s and colitis research and awareness. For this year’s Volunteer Appreciation Week, we want to make sure they get the recognition they deserve by shining a spotlight on their work.
Donna Doman has driven the success of the Gutsy Walk raffle table over the past five years as the Prize Captain for the Kitchener and Winnipeg Gutsy Walks. She first participated in Gutsy Walk fourteen years ago after her daughter was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Excited by the opportunity to make a difference and inspire others–whether it is a friend, coworker or caregiver–to get involved, she made the decision to take the lead on running the raffle table.
Committed to making an impact, Donna raises awareness about Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s mission while proactively and relentlessly reaching out to local businesses for prize donations, and while doing so, she’s inspired many members of the community to volunteer for Gutsy Walk.
It is through her strong work ethic, positive attitude and collaborative nature that she has been able to make the raffle table a great success!
Why did you become involved with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada?
"My daughter became very ill six years ago, so I felt compelled to support finding a cure. I thought the raffle table at Gutsy Walk was a great way to get involved, and that we could raise even more money if we found better prizes, so I jumped right in. I do a lot of work personally soliciting for donations by going to stores, writing letters, and requesting in-kind donations. I have built great relationships with vendors, and I always make sure to send thank you letters to our proud supporters to acknowledge the tremendous impact their contributions have made. In turn, we have raised a lot of money at the raffle tables. I also found, by going out in-person, that I have met many people who have a personal connection to Crohn’s or colitis, and therefore, are happy to donate to the cause."
What is your favourite part about volunteering?
"I am very dedicated to finding a cure. It breaks my heart that people are suffering. My daughter is in remission, and I feel very lucky. For many people, their medications might not work, and I do not want that. I want people to have healthy bodies and to live well. I volunteer so that we can find a cure."
To all our volunteers—thank you for your hard work and dedication! Stay tuned for more volunteer spotlights coming up this week. In the meantime, you can read the stories of the other volunteers we interviewed here.