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New Precision Radiotherapy equipment - a first for B.C. funded through unique fundraising event
One World One Heart - a non profit organization - will fundraise for new Precision Radiotherapy equipment through An Evening of Nostalgia for Cancer Cure event.
May 11, 2005, Vancouver, B.C - The BC Cancer Foundation, with a lot of help from the community, is planning to acquire a new radiotherapy technology known as IPlan Stereotaxy for use by the BC Cancer Agency. Currently this technology is not available in British Columbia. On May 27 at the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel a group of renowned Chinese performing artists including Thelma Leung, Michael Remedios, Michael Samson and Vikky Samson of the original Topnotes, will entertain a crowd of over 600 at a fundraising dinner, live auction and raffle organized by One World One Heart, a group of volunteers from the Chinese community in Vancouver.
"We wanted to turn our focus this year to an event that would help cancer patients and their families," said Bonita Chan, one of the event co-chairs and founder of One World One Heart, which has previously raised $150,000 for community projects in China. "My own family has been personally touched by cancer and we wanted to make a difference and help alleviate the suffering of both patients and their families."
"There is a lack of awareness in the Chinese community of who the BC Cancer Foundation and BC Cancer Agency are and what they do. We wanted them to know about the world-class care and research provided here in B.C. through the BC Cancer Agency," adds Lydia Ma, co-chair of the event, billed as An evening of Nostalgia for Cancer Cure.
Currently some elements of precision radiotherapy are available in British Columbia, but only for the treatment of brain cancers. The purchase of a new technology package will allow physicians at the BC Cancer Agency to improve the treatment in patients with other cancers that are known to be curable with radiotherapy.
"Patients who are not currently considered suitable for precision radiotherapy may be good candidates for future research using this very advanced equipment," says Dr. Michael McKenzie, a radiation oncologist at the BC Cancer Agency and one of the physicians who would use the new equipment with patients. "The benefit to the patient is a more effective and less toxic treatment for the patient," says Dr. McKenzie.
An Evening of Nostalgia for Cancer Cure proceeds will provide the final amount currently being fundraised through the BC Cancer Foundation to make precision radiotherapy a reality in British Columbia.
Business class tickets to Hong Kong, supplied by Cathay Pacific Airlines are the first prize in a raffle, with tickets available only at the dinner on May 27. Dinner tickets are
$500, $350, and $250 and may be purchased by calling: 604 880 7070 or at owoh@shaw.ca
The BC Cancer Foundation is an independent charitable organization that raises funds to support research and care at the BC Cancer Agency, throughout British Columbia.
For information: or to arrange interviews with Dr. McKenzie or Bonita Chan or Lydia Ma, or any of the performing artists, please call: Penny Noble APR director of marketing and communications, BC Cancer Foundation: 604 707 5902
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