This is our first annual fundraising campaign, running from October 2007 to February 2008.

With the online format, you can at anytime join the fun - pick a dare, pick a target fundraising amount and register as an individual or get a team together. Introduce your Dare to Care involvement via email to your friends, family and colleagues. They can easily check out your personalized webpage and donate online, or contact our office for other payment options.

We also have a Dare to Dip Polar Bear Swim on January 1. Consider getting wet for a good cause - stay tuned for more details. Volunteers are needed for this event (see Volunteer Registration button).

What positive difference will your participation make?

Your support will help the Family Caregivers' Network Society in our ambitious goal to raise $30,000 and increase our reach to the over 60,000 unpaid family caregivers in Southern Vancouver Island. We currently reach almost 20,000 (a whopping 290% increase in 4 years), but we simply need to reach more. The number one thing that people tell us is, 'I wish I'd know about you sooner'. We are listening. One of the funding priorities is to expand our communications efforts so that more people can take advantage of existing programs and services.

A second area of need is the employment sector - more and more people are facing the challenge of balancing work, family and caring for an aging parent (and feeling the stress of being 'sandwiched'). More than one in four caregivers have quit their jobs, retired early, turned down a promotion or experienced other job changes. (Decima, 2002). We want to strengthen our links to employers and employed caregivers to help get this issue on the agenda. Solutions include flexible hours, paid timeoff, or specific elder-care benefits. We offer 'brown bag' luncheon seminars tailored to employed caregivers.

The Dare to Care campaign is also an opportunity to have fun and a live a little on the edge as we face a dare or share in someone else's challenge.

Thank you for your support!