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There are many different reasons people start volunteering: a chance to give back to the community, to help make a difference in people¡¯s lives, or for a chance to meet new people. For?Megan Leslie, a sustainability consultant in our Vancouver office, it was all of the above.

Moving from Nova Scotia to Vancouver, Megan was looking to get involved with the community and to make some friends. This led her to?, as she has personal connections with the disease. ¡°I have friends with kids who are affected by cystic fibrosis (CF), so it was a no-brainer,¡± said Megan. ¡°I contacted CF Canada, and before you know it, 17 years of volunteering have gone by.¡±

After volunteering with CF Canada for a while, it became a family affair. Her then boyfriend, now husband, became involved with the organization through his photography skills. CF Canada has three big annual fundraising events, and Megan, along with her husband, volunteers with all of them. ¡°I¡¯ve been on the organizing committee for one of the events for many years,¡± Megan said. The CF Canada chapters host a fundraising walk the last Sunday in May, which also happens to be Cystic Fibrosis Month. Shortly after this event is the annual bike ride where all fundraising efforts are in support of CF Canada. Early November brings the annual gala where hundreds of people can participate in the live and silent auctions.?

¡°Seeing the families and kids that are affected by CF keeps you wanting to be involved,¡± said Megan. ¡°Every event you attend and the stories you hear are emotional, and it keeps you motivated.¡± Cystic fibrosis is known to be the most common fatal genetic disease affecting children and young adults. Currently, there is no cure. With 50 volunteer chapters across the nation, CF Canada and its volunteers are working tirelessly to raise funds, promote public awareness, and support those affected.?

For the past eight years, Megan has been applying to Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s community engagement program Dollars For Doers¡ªan initiative that encourages employees to volunteer in their communities and then boosts the value of charitable contributions with a cash donation. Megan has brought in $4,000 to Cystic Fibrosis Canada through our Dollars For Doers program. ¡°It¡¯s great that Â鶹´«Ã½ supports charities that are important to their employees,¡± Megan said. ¡°It makes me believe Â鶹´«Ã½ appreciates the volunteer work that I¡¯m doing.¡±?