Thieves target daffodil donation boxes for cancer

Thieves in Metro Vancouver are targeting the Canadian Cancer Society's daffodil donation boxes, which raise money for cancer research. (CTV)

The Canadian Cancer Society’s daffodil pins represent the fight for cancer, but now thieves are stealing the pin’s collection boxes to make a quick buck.

This year 27 daffodil pin donation boxes have gone missing in Metro Vancouver, with eleven of those from Chilliwack, according to police. The cancer society estimates it’s lost up to $10,000 in donations.

The thefts have outraged one woman, who is still grieving for the recent loss of her son’s friend from cancer this month.

“It’s terrible that someone can actually do that. They are heartless,” said Lisa Polden, manager of a liquor store that also collects daffodil donations.

Polden’s friend, 18-year-old Patrick O'Brien, died of cancer of the spine just months before high school graduation.

”They're stealing from people that are supporting the fight for cancer,” said Polden. “They're stealing from the people that have experienced something of cancer in family, friends, loved ones.“

Barbara Kaminsky with the Canadian Cancer Society said there have not been similar thefts in the past.

“Hopefully this is an isolated event this particular year and it wont happen again but we'll review it and see what needs to be changed,“ said Kaminsky.

For now, RCMP are asking businesses to secure their donation boxes to the counter.

“Unfortunately the people who victimize and create these thefts are looking for opportunities to steal these,” said Cpl. Len Van Nieuwenhuizen with the Chilliwack RCMP. “They will distract the business owner and employees and steal those donation boxes,”

Police have surveillance tape of one of the thefts but have not yet identified the suspect.

With a report by CTV British Columbia’s Shannon Paterson