$905,005 raised at BC Cancer Foundation’s Jingle Mingle accelerating immunotherapy clinical trials

The funds raised will go towards accelerating immunotherapy clinical trials.

VICTORIA, B.C. – The BC Cancer Foundation’s annual Jingle Mingle, presented by Proline Property Management, raised an astounding $905,000 to directly advance immunotherapy research at the BC Cancer Agency’s Trev & Joyce Deeley Research Centre (DRC) toward the clinical trial phase. 

The generosity of guests shimmered throughout the enchanting evening with gifts to support T cell production infrastructure at the BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Island Centre, a critical component for immunotherapy clinical trials.

Kicking off the holiday season of giving, Danny and Sandy Jadresko of Woodsmere Holdings Corp, made a $150,000 gift in the Jingle Mingle live auction, initiating a wave of support totaling over $600,000, including $100,000 gifts from both Jo Campbell and David Black. The Jadresko’s, longtime supporters of the BC Cancer Foundation, are inspired by the research taking place in their own community. Accompanied by their children who they wish to follow their philanthropic lead, Danny said, “I feel excited and proud to have seen the growth of the immunotherapy research program and now we are so close to clinical trials.”

Under the leadership of Dr. Brad Nelson, Director of the DRC, groundbreaking cancer research has advanced from a concept to compelling scientific proof that enhancing the body’s natural immune response to cancer through adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) can have life-saving effects. Jingle Mingle funds will directly support the construction of a clinical-grade T cell production suite, where scientists will culture patients’ T cells in a safe and sterile environment for clinical trials.

“With a decade of support from Vancouver Island donors, we are on the cusp of delivering truly personalized immunotherapy to cancer patients in the clinic, and tonight Jingle Mingle guests have ensured that the BC Cancer Agency has the highly specialized infrastructure to continue their groundbreaking work in Victoria,” says Douglas Nelson, President & CEO, BC Cancer Foundation.

Following the Jingle Mingle excitement of mystery boxes, live auction and holiday cheer, was the annual Jingle Dinner Party, featuring a fine dining experience. The gourmet meal and wine pairing experience at the Fairmont Empress was complete with live entertainment by members of the Dave Cormier Band.

The BC Cancer Foundation’s Jingle Mingle has raised over $3 million in its eight year history, setting the stage for an exciting immunotherapy clinical trials program at the BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Island Centre. #jinglemingle

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Media enquiries:
Allison Colina
Communications Manager
e. allison.colina@bccancer.bc.ca
t. 604-707-5934

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 charitable 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.