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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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Expansion set to begin at BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Island Centre thanks to Alex A. Campbell’s legacy of giving
November 02, 2011
VICTORIA, B.C. – Alex A. Campbell’s philanthropic spirit and commitment to improved cancer care will live on as construction to expand the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Island Centre is set to get underway in early December.
As Chair of the BC Cancer Foundation’s Inspire the World Campaign, Mr. Campbell led a two-year whirlwind initiative that raised $10 million for the centre’s expansion. The Inspire the World campaign launched in September 2009 with a $1 million lead gift from Mr. Campbell and his wife Jo—helping to inspire Vancouver Island residents to channel their philanthropic spirit. Their goal: to transform patient care at the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Island Centre with a major renovation and expansion of the facility.
“What a fitting tribute to the Campbell family to have this project starting imminently,” says Douglas Nelson, president and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation. “Mr. Campbell was the inspiration in our Inspire the World campaign—he motivated countless others to help us reach the $10 million fundraising goal. On behalf of all Vancouver Island cancer patients, I thank each donor who contributed to this state-of-the art expansion.”
“Vancouver Island cancer patients and their families will benefit from the expanded cancer centre once it is completed,” says Oak Bay – Gordon Head MLA Ida Chong on behalf of Health Minister Michael de Jong. “It honours the philanthropic legacy of Alex A. Campbell and his family.”
The BC Cancer Agency is widely respected for its integrated model of leading-edge cancer care and innovative research. Within the new space will be a state-of-the-art patient and family support centre to be named the Alex & Jo Campbell Patient and Family Support Centre, honouring the Campbells for their generous gift and dedication to the BC Cancer Foundation’s fundraising campaign, the BC Cancer Agency, and all cancer patients on Vancouver Island.
“Thank you to BC Cancer Foundation donors for their generosity,” says Brian Schmidt, Interim President, BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. “The expansion will enable us to integrate care with the best cancer therapies available, as well as the emotional and psychological support needed before, during and after treatment—and ultimately enhance patients’ experience.”
The construction contract was awarded to Vancouver Island based Farmer Construction Ltd. Construction is anticipated to be complete in late 2012.
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Media Contacts:
Allison Colina
t. 604-707-5934
e. allison.colina@bccancer.bc.ca
Laura Walsh, BC Cancer Foundation Vancouver Island
t. 250-519-5554
e. lwalsh@bccancer.bc.ca