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“I speak about cancer. I ride my bike. I do these things because I want to change the story. I want a different ending.”
In 2008, Patrick Sullivan lost his young son Finn to an extremely rare form of cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma. A few months later, he was approached by two close friends: “They told me about this fundraising bike ride to Seattle, the Ride to Conquer Cancer. They wanted to put a team in it – and do it in honour of Finn. That was the start of Team Finn.”
Every member of Team Finn is inspired by a little boy who lived every moment of his short life to the fullest. Their distinctive pink jerseys read “Run. Jump. Bounce. Dance. Sing. Love. Smile. Ride,” words that celebrate Finn’s approach to every day.
Finn showed how to live life with courage and joy, and his example has helped Team Finn achieve extraordinary success in raising funds for the BC Cancer Foundation. In just three years, they have raised over $1 million to support cancer research. As Finn’s father says, “Doctors couldn’t change Finn’s story. ‘Incurable’ was his ending. If I could change that for somebody else, then every moment of time is worth it.”
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“I speak about cancer. I ride my bike. I do these things because I want to change the story. I want a different ending.”
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BC Cancer Foundation’s Innovation Support Fund Accelerating Cancer Discoveries in BC
January 17, 2012
Kelowna, B.C. – High priority cancer research programs receive an additional boost of over $475, 000 for new technology from the BC Cancer Foundation’s Innovative Support Fund. This investment supports leading-edge research already underway thanks to the $18.6 million in annual funding to BC Cancer Agency researchers and clinicians in 2011.
“I’m inspired by our donors and their commitment to the power of research,” says Douglas Nelson, President and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation. “Their generous support is accelerating discoveries that make significant improvements in the lives of cancer patients in B.C.”
Funding will help researchers at the Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior estimate breast density from digital mammograms. Breast density estimates can be used as a biomarker in forecasting breast cancer prevention therapies as well as predicting breast cancer risk.
Dr. Rasika Rajapakshe believes that this investment in state-of-the-art technology will have long term benefits for breast cancer patients as researchers and clinicians will have the right tools to better predict breast cancer risks, outcomes and prevention therapies.
The Innovation Support Fund provides province-wide funding for the purchase of new and enhanced equipment that may not otherwise be accessible through granting agencies. The goal is to help BC Cancer Agency scientists remain competitive, current and strategic—and to continue improving patient outcomes.
“On behalf of the BC Cancer Agency I want to express our sincere appreciation to the BC Cancer Foundation donors for generously providing funds for this important initiative. You are helping researchers remain competitive in their ongoing efforts to solve the cancer problem,” says Dr. Samuel Abraham, Vice President of Research at the BC Cancer Agency.
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BC Cancer Foundation's Innovation Support Fund:
Vancouver Island [Vancouver Island, news release -PDF]
Vancouver [Vancouver, news release - PDF]
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Allison Colina, Communications Specialist
e. allison.colina@bccancer.bc.ca
t. 604-707-5934
c. 604-802-6984