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Thrifty Foods donation gives Vancouver Island students opportunity for “life-changing” summer job researching cancer
BC Cancer Foundation High School Internship Program expands beyond Victoria with new endowment from Thrifty Foods
June 3, 2008, Victoria - Four years ago Navraj Chima had the summer job of his lifetime conducting cancer research in a state-of-the-art research centre in Victoria as one of the first participants in the BC Cancer Agency’s High School Internship Program. Now, thanks to a donation from Thrifty Foods, Grade 11 students throughout Vancouver Island will have a chance to apply for the same opportunity he had.
Thrifty Foods has announced a donation of $25,000 to the BC Cancer Foundation to establish the Thrifty Foods Cancer Research Endowment Fund to support the high school summer internship program and ensure opportunities are available for aspiring young people today and into the future from across Vancouver Island.
“Nothing beats hands-on research in a real lab alongside real scientists. It was a phenomenal, life-changing experience,” says Navaj Chima. The 21-year-old, who was 17 at the time of his internship, is now in his third year of micro-biology at the University of Victoria. “Many of the experiments I conducted and techniques I learned during my internship were so cutting edge, I still haven’t done them again, even after three years of university,” he says. His summer with the BC Cancer Agency was a major influence in his decision to pursue a career in either medical or health research.
Thrifty Foods Vice President of Marketing and Communications Malcolm Webster said, “I’m confident this scholarship fund will help ensure that cancer research on Vancouver Island at the BC Cancer Agency remains as leading edge as anywhere else in the world. Thrifty Foods is committed to investing in youth and in our community.”
“It is a fitting tribute for Thrifty Foods to continue its strong tradition of support for the BC Cancer Foundation and establish this scholarship which ensures the internship program can continue,” says Dr. Brad Nelson, director of the BC Cancer Agency’s Trev & Joyce Deeley Research Centre, which is celebrating its fifth year of operation.
“These students will be exposed to everything that we do here at the research centre,” Dr. Nelson says. “It is extremely important young people get a taste of what research is all about so that today’s researchers have someone to pass the torch on to. This will benefit all of us terrifically today and into the future.”
Laura Walsh, senior director of development with the BC Cancer Foundation on Vancouver Island is excited to encourage high school students from throughout Vancouver Island to participate in the internship. “Thanks to the generosity of Thrifty Foods we will be able to continue to offer this once in a lifetime opportunity for young people,” she said. “The Thrifty Foods donation will establish an endowed fund and ensure the continuity of this vital educational program.”
The BC Cancer Agency’s High School Internship Program, now in its fifth year, is the only one of its kind in Canada. It is designed to offer Grade 11 students the opportunity to learn about cancer research through an eight-week internship, working with some of British Columbia’s top cancer researchers. Each student who completes the internship receives a $3,000 bursary from the BC Cancer Foundation towards their studies once they are accepted into a post-secondary institution.
And for the students who benefit from the program like Navraj Chima, the Thrifty Foods donation was good news. “I think it is wonderful that Thrifty Foods is helping other students to have the same opportunities I had,” he says. His summer experience has inspired him and former fellow intern Jenny Chu to volunteer with the BC Cancer Foundation. “I am now part of a Youth in Philanthropy committee to help young people raise funds and put on events for the BC Cancer Foundation” he says. “When I signed up for the program I was excited but I had no idea what kind of an impact it would have on my life. The chance to interact with doctors and other caregivers at the BC Cancer Agency’s Centre as well as the researchers was just amazing.”
To support the high school internship program or other cancer research programs through the BC Cancer Foundation, contact Laura Walsh, Director of Development, BC Cancer Foundation, Vancouver Island at 250 519 5554.
For information on the High School Internship Program please contact Ann-Marie Braithwaite, Program Co-ordinator at 250-519-5700.
Established in 1935, the BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to care at the BC Cancer Agency throughout B.C.
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For information:
Penny Noble, Senior Director, Public Affairs
BC Cancer Foundation: 604 707 5902, cell 604 805 5637
pnoble@bccancer.bc.ca
Laura Walsh, Senior Director, Development, Vancouver Island
BC Cancer Foundation: 250 519 5554, cell 250 480 9617
lwalsh@bccancer.bc.ca
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