Supporting Research and Care

Donations to the BC Cancer Foundation provides important contributions solely to the BC Cancer Agency for research breakthrough which will lead to better care and to the newest and most innovative treatments being available to Southern Interior residents. Donations also provide and support enhancements to care and treatment in the Southern Interior.

How you can help
Your support means so much too many cancer patients in the Southern Interior and one of the best ways to help is through a financial donation. Or join the many businesses, community groups, schools and service clubs who help us every year by holding a special “third-party” fundraising event. Fundraising with friends, family or coworkers is a great way to support the work of the BC Cancer Foundation.

Palliative research
Palliative research will be undertaken in the new hospice facility by researchers at the BC Cancer Agency, Southern Interior in partnership with others in the community thanks to the generosity of donors to the BC Cancer Foundation. (See full story on Hospice Campaign from Progress).

Supplemental funding for research in the Southern Interior
A new supplemental fund to enhance Southern Interior employees work-related skills and knowledge has been established. Preference is given to learning activities that provide the greatest educational benefit and support for employees to fulfill the BC Cancer Agency’s mission. Funds to date have included research posters presented a Provincial, National and International Cancer Conferences or Forums. (See Research Report 2006-2006)

Improving patient care
Bone Marrow Transplant Outreach Clinic
Bone Marrow transplant patients in the Southern Interior no longer have to travel to Vancouver for all their follow up visits, thanks to funds raised for the BC Cancer Foundation by Sindi Hawkins & Friends annual golf tournament. Sindi, a bone marrow transplant recipient herself, committed $250,000 from the tournament. (See full story)

Prostrate Brachytherapy treatment close to home
Through the generous support of donors over $250,000 was raised to purchase specialized equipment to make brachytherapy planning possible in Kelowna. Treatment available for prostrate cancer in the Southern Interior includes external beam radiation which can invole multiple visits, or surgery, so the treatment is often long. Brachytherapy treatment only takes two days and was previously only available in Vancouver the acquisition of planning equipment means patients will only to travel once to Vancouver for the implant. The next phase of the procedure will be opening in Kelowna soon.

Patient Comfort Care
Donations to the BC Cancer Foundation, Southern Interior have purchased age appropriate supplies for councillors working with children of cancer patients, tube feeding adaptors, portable pain pumps, positioning breast boards, foam leg supporters, new patient orientation video to name a few.

To support any of these programs please contact Cynthia Waldek-Peters at  cwaldekpeters@bccancer.bc.ca or make an online gift here.