BC Cancer Foundation’s 2014 Discovery Luncheon—Abbotsford raises $50,000 to advance cancer treatment options in B.C.

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – The BC Cancer Foundation’s 2014 Discovery Luncheon—Abbotsford, presented by Scotiabank, raised an amazing $50,000 to support the High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy program at the BC Cancer Agency Abbotsford Centre.

The second annual Discovery Luncheon celebrated the importance of research happening each year at the BC Cancer Agency Abbotsford Centre. The Abbotsford Centre is a key participant in the progression of cancer clinical trials in British Columbia, which will help change the future of care through advancements in treatment options.

“While many families in B.C.—and here in Abbotsford—will be touched by cancer, outcomes are improving and new discoveries are expanding our knowledge of cancer biology like never before,” said Gordon Stewart, Associate Director at BC Cancer Foundation. “With the support from today’s event, Abbotsford’s High Dose Rate brachytherapy program will become a model for all BC Cancer Agency sites across the province and will ensure that patients from the community receive the highest standard of care.”

HDR brachytherapy has proven very effective in treating both prostate and breast cancer thus far. Philanthropic support from the 2014 Discovery Luncheon will enable Abbotsford’s brachytherapy program to directly impact patient care at the Abbotsford Centre and for the thousands of cancer patients across British Columbia.

David Holmberg Sr., two-time cancer survivor and well-known member of the Abbotsford business community, is no stranger when it comes to philanthropy. He and his wife Lee, who lost their son David Jr. to brain cancer four years ago, made a generous gift of $100,000 two years ago to enable the Abbotsford Centre to acquire cutting-edge radiotherapy equipment. Then, at last year’s Discovery Luncheon, the Holmbergs made a matching gift of $17,000 in support of clinical trials.

At today’s event, their generosity continued with a matching gift of $27,000.

“Anything we can do to help move research forward is extremely important,” said Holmberg Sr. “I can’t stress enough how vital it is to support the BC Cancer Agency and the tremendous work that they do.”

Last year, the Discovery Luncheon raised an amazing $35,000 to support the clinical trials program at the Abbotsford Centre. Clinical trials provide new hope for patients by translating results from the lab or clinic into more effective treatment possibilities, and are integral tools for improving our understanding of cancer and testing the effectiveness and safety of new drugs.

Funds raised this year will ensure local patients benefit from continued advancements, specifically through progress made from clinical trials taking place in Abbotsford.

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Media enquiries please contact:

Melissa Serraglio
Communications Coordinator
BC Cancer Foundation
e. melissa.serraglio@bccancer.bc.ca
t. 604.707.5946   

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.

The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. For more information, visit www.bccancer.ca.