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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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A birthday gift that will enhance each cancer survivor’s journey in B.C.
November 02, 2011
VANCOUVER, B.C. – The path ahead for B.C.’s cancer survivors is about to get brighter thanks to a special gift Gordon Diamond made to the BC Cancer Foundation today.
In honour of his wife’s 70th birthday, Gordon Diamond generously donated $1 million for the Leslie Diamond Chair in Cancer Survivorship. The new Chair represents a significant partnership toward improved cancer survivorship between the BC Cancer Agency, Simon Fraser University and the BC Cancer Foundation. “My gift to the BC Cancer Foundation is in honour of Leslie and all the wonderful things in life we’ve been able to do over the last 33 years since she’s survived cancer. For many, life after cancer presents challenges and, it is my hope that all families on a cancer journey will have the chance at a long and healthy life after treatment, and that is why I have supported this Chair,” says Mr. Diamond.
The Diamond family’s gift boosts the Chair’s support to $5-million in funding from the BC Cancer Foundation and Simon Fraser University, which will sustain learning first-hand from British Columbian cancer patients what challenges they face as they complete treatment. By leading research the Chair will better understand how the needs of tens-of-thousands of B.C. cancer survivors can be best addressed.
“The commitment from the Gordon Diamond family toward improved survivorship is inspiring. We are proud to be a part of the Leslie Diamond Chair in Cancer Survivorship—a partnership that is sure to improve the lives of thousands of cancer survivors in BC for decades to come,” says Douglas Nelson, president and CEO, BC Cancer Foundation. “On behalf of the BC Cancer Foundation and our donors, I’d like to thank Gordon and Leslie Diamond for their significant gift.”
Dr. Samuel Abraham, vice president of research at the BC Cancer Agency explains the implications of the emerging research field in survivorship. “Research has led to significant strides in the way we treat cancer, thereby improving patient outcomes. There are now a significant number of people living long after initial diagnosis and treatment of their disease. This Chair sets us on the right path as we research and better understand survivors’ needs, concerns and challenges,” says Dr. Abraham.
As a member of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University (SFU), the Chair will be immersed in a multidisciplinary environment, adding value as they assess and develop programs that aid survivors and their families. “This gift supports our mission to be Canada’s most community-engaged research university,” says SFU president Andrew Petter. “Working with our partners at the BC Cancer Agency and a network of cancer researchers throughout the province and world, the Chair will mobilize research to improve the lives of cancer survivors and their families.”
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For more information, please contact:
Allison Colina
e. allison.colina@bccancer.bc.ca
t. 604-707-5934
c. 604-802-6984