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Just over a year ago, Jackie Ellis had a week that changed her life. The athletic Vancouver resident had been troubled by shortness of breath, tightness in her chest and a racing heartbeat for several months. Finally, on Thursday, July 29, 2010, she was given a diagnosis: lymphoma. Within the next four days, she’d met several specialists, had two biopsies and a CT scan. By Tuesday, she had started her first round of chemotherapy: “I still can’t get over how quickly I was treated and how well I was cared for.”
While getting her chemo, Jackie recalls, ”I could see the BC Cancer Agency Research Centre across the street. I would pray that some brilliant scientist would make a discovery that might help me.” And they did.
Researchers in the Centre for Lymphoid Cancer – a team led by Dr. Randy Gascoyne and Dr. Christian Steidl – found a critical genetic mutation in the same type of lymphoma Jackie had. This will speed development of new treatments, such as targeted chemotherapy for individual patients.
Jackie celebrates her good health by returning to the things she loves, like riding her bike on the Stanley Park Seawall and entertaining her many friends. And she remains impressed by the close collaboration between BC Cancer Agency researchers and clinicians as supported by the BC Cancer Foundation: ”It’s inspiring.”
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"I would pray that some brilliant scientist would make a discovery that might help me.” And they did.
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Special Occasions
created by bccf on May 12, 2011
Make your wedding or next special occasion even more meaningful and make a difference in the lives of people affected by cancer. Consider a gift to the BC Cancer Foundation when you are planning a wedding, birthday, retirement, anniversary, or to celebrate a holiday.
How can I make an online gift for a special occasion?
You can easily make your special occasion donation online.
You can also create an online fundraising page to celebrate your, or someone else’s, special day. Personalize it with a photo, add a special message and invite friends and family to visit your page to leave a comment and make a donation.
You may also search for an online fundraising page to view, donate or leave a message.
For more information or for assistance in creating a page celebrating your special occasion, please contact Alexis Martis at 604.877.6203 or email alexis.martis@bccancer.bc.ca
In Celebration Wedding Program
The BC Cancer Foundation’s In Celebration Wedding Program provides a unique opportunity to honour your guests and bring added meaning to your wedding day as you help make a difference in the lives of people affected by cancer.
In lieu of wedding favours:
Table card (10 cm x 15 cm) with optional white envelope: The card can be elegantly displayed on guest tables to inform them of your donation in their honour. Couples either choose to provide one or two cards per table. You can imprint your own personal message on cards to reflect your reasons for supporting BC Cancer Foundation. See samples.
Certificate (21.5 cm x 28 cm): The certificate can be displayed as a centrepiece on each of the guest tables or displayed beside the guestbook or on the gift table. The certificate announces to your guests that you have made a donation in their honour. See samples.
The recommended donation is $3–10 per guest. Please allow two weeks for printing of the cards or certificates.
In lieu of wedding gifts:
Request that your guests make a donation, in your honour, to the BC Cancer Foundation in lieu of wedding gifts. You can also create an online wedding page for this purpose (below).
Donation request card (13 cm x 8 cm): A donation request card can be included with your wedding invitation to inform guests that you would prefer a donation be made to the BC Cancer Foundation in lieu of a wedding gift. See donation request card samples.
Create your own online wedding page: Invite your guests to make a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation as their wedding gift to you. The Foundation will notify you of the donations made in honour of your special day. View sample wedding pages by using the search function below.
Find an online wedding page: Search for a couple's online wedding page to make a donation in honour of their special day.
To request a sample package or to place an order, please contact Alexis Martis at 604.877.6203 or email alexis.martis@bccancer.bc.ca.