BC Cancer Foundation: Proudly Supporting Leadership in Research and Care

The BC Cancer Foundation’s partnership with the BC Cancer Agency is made possible by the generosity of more than 115,000 donors. This partnership is yielding incredible results, expanding the global understanding of cancer and dramatically improving the lives of cancer patients in B.C., who now have some of the best outcomes in the world.

The BC Cancer Agency is leading the world in new cancer research discoveries, thanks to teams of brilliant researchers and clinicians, cutting-edge technology and strong, visionary leadership.

As Chair of the BC Cancer Foundation Board of Directors, I have seen these life-changing results first-hand. Thanks to BC Cancer Foundation donors,

• BC Cancer Agency researchers were the first in the world to decode the genetic make-up of triple negative breast cancer, proving it is not one uniform subtype of breast cancer, but a complex mixture of cells;

• lymphoid cancer researchers are leading a major multi-year project to design a personalized treatment delivery system based on the genetic profile of each lymphoid cancer patient and make this the standard of care for patients in the future;

• scientists from the Genome Sciences Centre have partnered with Agency clinicians to create the Personalized Onco-Genomics Program, a world-first initiative to uncover genomically-based treatment solutions for patients facing rare and hard-to-treat cancers;

• researchers at the Deeley Research Centre on Vancouver Island have proven that the immune system can play a vital role in mounting a strong response to eliminate cancer and prevent it from recurring in the future.

None of these achievements would be possible without excellent leaders at the helm. By recruiting superstars to the BC Cancer Agency, we have built a high-calibre team that is making incredible strides each day to ensure that cancer becomes a manageable disease for British Columbians and millions of people around the globe.

One of the primary responsibilities of the BC Cancer Foundation’s board is to invest donations entrusted to the Foundation into research projects with the greatest promise and the highest priority to improve the lives of cancer patients in B.C.

Accountability and transparency are the roots of strong governance within any organization. The BC Cancer Foundation’s ongoing efforts to be a leader in these areas is evidenced by being named a top charity pick from Charity Intelligence, a national independent analyst on charities. The BC Cancer Foundation has also received full accreditation under Imagine Canada’s National Standards Program for nonprofit organizations based on the strength of its governance processes, fundraising excellence and financial accountability.

As president and CEO of the Business Council of British Columbia, I work with 250 of the leading companies in B.C. and can say with confidence that the BC Cancer Foundation is on par with many of those companies, from the way we manage our finances to the talented and skilled staff and the integrity of my fellow board members in the decisions we make. It is a privilege and a huge responsibility.

Thank you to all our donors across the province for being our partners in discovery.

Greg D’Avignon
Chair, Board of Directors
BC Cancer Foundationann

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