90 Years of Discovery and Hope in B.C.: Finding A New Purpose in Philanthropy 

Long-time donors to the BC Cancer Foundation are driven by a deep commitment to give in ways that are meaningful to themselves and their families — financially, but also by investing their time and energy to rally their communities to make a difference.  

“Fundraising to advance cancer care in B.C. opened up a whole new part of my life,” says Elizabeth Laugharne. At 101 years old, Elizabeth has been a monthly donor since 1995 — making her one of the Foundation’s most consistent, and possibly most senior, donors.

After a career in nursing, she retired in Victoria and was as surprised as anyone when, in her 70s, she began a whole new chapter in life as chair of the building committee for BC Cancer – Victoria.

During her eight decades in health care, Elizabeth has seen significant change. She was only 11 in 1935 when the BC Cancer Foundation was founded — but she does remember prior to 2001 when cancer treatment on the Island was “trying to function in spare rooms in the hospital.”

“It was a major challenge to provide for patients and retain specialists who were working in impossible situations,” she says.

A cancer survivor who has lost loved ones to the disease, Elizabeth says of all the ways she’s helped fuel cancer care in B.C., her 30-year commitment of small monthly donations is the most rewarding.

“Researchers and patients depend on the steady, reliable support of people like me.”