$400,000 Raised for Pancreatic Cancer Research at 8th Annual Glotman-Simpson Cypress Challenge

Vancouver, B.C. – Over 600 cyclists took to Cypress Mountain in the 8th Annual Glotman Simpson Cypress Challenge on Sunday, raising an incredible $400,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation. The event has raised over $1.6 million to tackle one of the deadliest forms of cancer: pancreatic.

This year’s event was held in memory of Darren Latoski, a well-known B.C. businessman who was diagnosed in 2012 and passed away just one year later.

Ten- year-old Ella Latoski, her little brother Noah and mom Cyndi powered up Cypress with big sister Kate cheering them on. The Latoski family is determined to see pancreatic cancer treatments improve so children like Kate, Ella and Noah don’t have to grow up without a parent.

Cyndi Latoski says, “Darren didn’t want to leave and let us go, he wanted to help the Glotmans because they were doing something impactful,” of the cause that’s so near to her heart. Now, she imagines a future where her three children can meet someone with pancreatic cancer who’s in remission thanks to their efforts and the work of the BC Cancer Agency researchers.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in B.C. and across the country. This year alone aapproximately 600 British Columbians will hear the words, “you have pancreatic cancer.” Right now, most patients do not survive the first year post-diagnosis.

Geoffrey Glotman started the event in 2008 after losing his mother-in-law to pancreatic cancer.

He says, “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of Cypress Challenge corporate sponsors, donors and the over 600 individuals who cycled. By supporting the BC Cancer Foundation and BC Cancer Agency, the Cypress Challenge is giving hope to those affected by pancreatic cancer.”

Research efforts, supported by the BC Cancer Foundation and the annual Glotman Simpson Cypress Challenge are making a difference. Researchers are rapidly expanding their knowledge into the biological causes of the disease while new drugs are in development and clinical trials are expanding and looking at a patient-by-patient genomic approach to diagnosis and treatment.

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For more information, please contact:

Allison Colina, Communications Manager
BC Cancer Foundation
e. allison.colina@bccancer.bc.ca

The BC Cancer Foundation is the bridge that connects philanthropic support and research breakthroughs in cancer knowledge. As the fundraising partner of the BC Cancer Agency and the largest funder of cancer research in this province, we enable donors to make contributions to leading-edge research that has a direct impact on improvements to cancer care for patients in British Columbia. We fund with the goal of finding solutions. Visit www.bccancerfoundation.com to make a donation or to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.