A local woman will be focusing her charitable efforts on local cancer patients as the Whitehorse office of the Canadian Cancer Society gets set to close.

Geraldine Van Bibber, a former commissioner and current chancellor at Yukon College, said this morning she is organizing meetings with various officials about setting up some sort of local effort for Yukoners dealing with cancer.

The society plans to close its Whitehorse office when its lease ends in May, with Yukon inquiries set to be dealt with from Vancouver.

Earlier this month, Van Bibber hosted a meeting to look for ways to help keep the local office open.

Approximately 40 people attended that session at the Westmark Whitehorse Hotel.

"I learned a heck of a lot more about the Canadian Cancer Society (and other organizations that raise money for cancer research,” Van Bibber said in an interview about what came out of the meeting.

She noted after listening to the good cross-section of people who attended the meeting, she would rather channel her energies into fund-raisers that would directly support local cancer patients instead of supporting "a big machine”.

While the cancer society and other organizations do a "marvelous job” raising cash for research work, Van Bibber said, she would like to have her energy go directly to the Yukon effort.

"Let's raise Yukon money for Yukoners,” she said.

It was more the general discussion at the meeting that saw her move her efforts more locally rather than focusing on keeping the local cancer society office open, she added.

As she pointed out that decision was made a long time ago and isn't likely to be reversed.

By fund-raising for locals, she noted, that money will be better able to go where patients may need it most such as having a family member join them when they go Outside for treatment.

Just how those fund-raising efforts will occur is still unknown.

Van Bibber pointed to the possibilities of working with the Yukon Hospital Foundation or others, but said discussions still haven't happened.

She and a core group of individuals are still working on setting up meetings with various parties about how the local effort might happen.

There's just been a general discussion at this point, she said, noting the core group will likely meet again within the next several weeks.

Van Bibber said she also welcomes any ideas.

Those interested can get in touch with her at gvb@northwestel.net.