Alberta Cancer Foundation

Volunteer Spotlight: Vinisha Pandya

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Our volunteers play a vital role in creating more moments for Albertans facing cancer. By helping at events, or offering their professional talents in our offices, their hard work allows us to invest more time and effort into our vision of a cancer-free future. Today, we recognize Vinisha Pandya.

Vinisha on her graduation day with her sister Kritika.

Vinisha Pandya is one of our valued volunteers in Edmonton. She has been volunteering with the Alberta Cancer Foundation since September 2020 and has given over 20 hours of assistance as the Legacy and Tribute Volunteer within Planned Giving.

“Vinisha has been instrumental in getting legacy information to prospective donors and sending notes to memorial donors. She has even followed-up with prospects on phone conversations and has done a stellar job,” says Christy Soholt, Manager of Planned Giving at the Alberta Cancer Foundation and Vinisha’s supervisor.

When asked what motivated Vinisha to volunteer at the Alberta Cancer Foundation, she says, “During my time as a student at the University of Alberta, I had the opportunity to take classes and learn about cancer and cancer research. I was interested in the cellular basis of cancer as well as the impact it has on individuals, families (including my own) and the world,” she says.

“I wanted to start contributing in some way, no matter how small it may start off to the fight against cancer. The Alberta Cancer Foundation gave me a great starting point to volunteer and contribute to the bigger picture. Someday, I hope to contribute to cancer research directly.”

Through her experience volunteering, Vinisha has learned how valuable it is to establish relationships with donors, understand why this cause matters to them and appreciate and acknowledge them tenfold for their contributions.

“The highlight of volunteering at the Foundation has been the people! Working with the staff has been wonderful and a good change from being at home during this pandemic,” says Vinisha.

Her supervisors can’t say enough positive things about Vinisha and the impact she helps make, “Vinisha has been so amazing. She is so willing to help with any task, always does so with a smile and a “happy to help” attitude, and puts in so much effort. She’s friendly and polite on the phone, organized with the many large tasks I give her and has enabled us to do more than we could have without her,” says Christy.

When asked what her favorite place to visit is in Alberta, she says she has many but the top contender is Drumheller. “I have so many fond childhood memories there. It was usually a short trip, but my sister and I were so interested in dinosaurs and exploring, that our parents kept taking us back,” she says.

There are no words to say how much our volunteers, our donors, and their continued support mean to us. We are so grateful for their commitment and would like to thank them for their contribution. Volunteers like Vinisha make it possible for us to support Albertans facing cancer. We are grateful to her and our group of dedicated volunteers for their passion and commitment.

Inspired by Vinisha Pandya and her story? You can share yours too! You never know whose life you could change simply by talking about your own, share your story today.
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