April 2008

Cancer Awareness All Year Long

“Research saved my life,” says two-time cancer survivor Ian Hazenberg. The active and healthy husband and father of four was diagnosed with advanced kidney cancer in April 2004 and successfully treated. But fifteen months later, the cancer returned and this time Ian was told he had no more than two years to live.

When his BC Cancer Agency doctor offered him an experimental drug being studied in a clinical research trial, Ian jumped at the chance. Today, almost three years later, Ian is still beating his cancer. “I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for this research,” he says.

April is known across Canada as Cancer Awareness Month, but we know cancer touches the lives of British Columbians all year long. Every day, people like Ian Hazenberg are helped by the BC Cancer Agency through screening and prevention, diagnosis, research, treatment and rehabilitation. It is thanks to the standard-setting, year-round work of all BC Cancer Agency staff that British Columbia has the best cancer outcomes in Canada.

You can support the work of the BC Cancer Agency, not just this month but every month, by becoming a Partner for Discovery. Your automatic monthly donation to the BC Cancer Foundation will provide continuous funding of potentially life-saving research and enhancements to care for cancer patients like Ian.

For more information about becoming a Partner for Discovery or to make a donation, please call the BC Cancer Foundation at 604.877.6040 (1-888-906-2873 toll free) or visit http://www.bccancerfoundation.com/

Thanks for your support!

Nick H. Locke
President and CEO (interim)
BC Cancer Foundation