|
MAXIMUS Canada donation to BC Cancer Foundation funds unique research and furthers an employee’s goal of helping others
Cancer survivor employee and employer work together in the fight against cancer
September 9, Victoria - “It was very scary,” says MAXIMUS Canada’s Contact Centre Supervisor Janice McLean, remembering the day she learned she had colon cancer. “I could see it right there on the screen while I was having a colonoscopy.”
Although she was nervous, the 48 year-old single mother’s fears were put to rest as soon as she entered the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Island Centre in Victoria. “It is so warm and welcoming. The people at the BC Cancer Agency are just fantastic, the minute you walk in there they make you feel so safe,” she says.
While undergoing treatment Janice opted to participate in the unique PREDICT program where every new patient referred to the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Island Centre has the option to donate blood to be used for research. “For me it was just a total no-brainer, I just wanted to do anything I could to help others who might have cancer in the future,” Janice said.
Janice has been working for the Medical Services Plan for over 30 years. Little did she know that all her service to the public would come back as support by her employer for herself and others impacted by cancer. Or that the funding would be for the very research program in which she is participating.
To support the PREDICT program and some other initiatives, MAXIMUS Canada has announced a donation of $30,000 to the BC Cancer Foundation to be used to purchase a much-needed freezer for the PREDICT research project, as well as a blanket warmer and phlebotomy chair. The blanket warmer and chair will enhance patient comfort for those patients involved in PREDICT and immune-based research trials. Additionally, the donation from MAXIMUS Canada will support a new patient and public education display unit.
“I am pleased to make this donation from MAXIMUS Canada on behalf of our employees; in particular those who have already succumbed to this terrible disease and those who are currently fighting against it. During my tour of the BC Cancer Agency’s research and treatment facilities, I was very impressed with the work being done there and pleased that we can contribute towards its ongoing success,” said Duff Lang, President of MAXIMUS Canada.
Other MAXIMUS Canada employees affected by cancer include one of Janice’s close co-workers, who passed away from bone cancer. “I think it is just fantastic what MAXIMUS is doing,” Janice says. “Supporting their employees like this shows they are really behind us,” she says.
“This donation from MAXIMUS Canada to the BC Cancer Foundation is important to our research here on Vancouver Island. We will be able to purchase vital equipment for research involving patients. As well, we are excited to be able to purchase a public education display unit that will help us provide outreach to patients, students, families and the wider community," said Dr. Brad Nelson, head of the BC Cancer Agency’s Trev & Joyce Deeley Research Centre.
The display unit would be installed in the lobby area of the BC Cancer Agency’s Deeley Research Centre and would be used for patient tours, high school and university co-op students, patient volunteers (for various research projects and the Tumour Tissue Repository) and other educational uses.
To support cancer research on Vancouver Island at the BC Cancer Agency contact Laura Walsh, Senior Director of Development for the BC Cancer Foundation on Vancouver Island, at (250)- 519-5554.
Established in 1935, the BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency, throughout British Columbia.
MAXIMUS Canada is a subsidiary of MAXIMUS INC, a leading government services company devoted to providing program management, consulting, and information technology services to government clients. It is based in Victoria, BC.
MAXIMUS INC., headquartered in Reston, Virginia, has been committed to the mission of "Helping Government Serve the People" for more than 30 years. Its continued success and growth serves as a testament to its uncompromising commitment to delivering quality to government clients and the citizens they serve. MAXIMUS Inc. has more than 6,000 employees located in more than 220 offices in the United States, Canada, Australia, and England. Additionally, MAXIMUS Inc. is included in the Russell 2000 Index and the S&P SmallCap 600 Index.
-30-
For more information:
Penny Noble, APR
Senior Director, Public Affairs, BC Cancer Foundation
Phone: 604.707.5902
Cell: 604.805.5637
E-mail: pnoble@bccancer.bc.ca
Laura Walsh,
Senior Director of Development, Vancouver Island, BC Cancer Foundation
Phone: 250.519.5554
Cell: 250.480.9617
E-mail: lwalsh@bccancer.bc.ca
John Kirby,
Vice President, Business Development, MAXIMUS Canada
Phone: 250.405.3706
Cell: 250.480.9617
|
