BC Cancer Foundation’s 2015 Discovery Luncheon – Kelowna Raises $104,000 to Support Next Evolution in Cancer Care
November 11, 2015
Found in News
KELOWNA, B.C. – The BC Cancer Foundation’s 2015 Discovery Luncheon – Kelowna raised an amazing $104,000 to support the BC Cancer Agency’s Personalized Onco-Genomics (POG) Program.
The fifth annual Discovery Luncheon celebrated the importance of discovery research happening each year in Kelowna at the BC Cancer Agency Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior.
“While over 26,000 British Columbians will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone, breakthroughs in research continue to increase our knowledge and provide new hope for patients,” said Erik Dierks, Vice President, Development, at the BC Cancer Foundation. “Support from today’s Discovery Luncheon will help further propel the BC Cancer Agency’s POG program, with new treatment solutions waiting to be unlocked.”
The first and only program of its kind in the world, POG is leading the way to personalized medicine for patients in B.C. Philanthropic support from the 2015 Discovery Luncheon will enable the program, one of the BC Cancer Agency’s most promising research initiatives, to uncover new treatment options that could greatly improve the quality of life of life for patients in Kelowna and across the entire province.
Brain cancer patient Sean Connor spoke at the event about the importance of supporting research.
“I am here because I believe POG will help me move forward, and that further research is always needed,” he said.
Continuing his streak of generosity, Tom Budd, with the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation, made another matching donation of $20,000, ensuring local patients will benefit from the latest advancements in treatment options.
In advance of today’s event, an anonymous $100,000 donation was also made towards the POG program.
Funds raised this year will ensure local patients benefit from continued advancements through the POG program.
Special thanks to event sponsors BMO Bank of Montreal and Sentes Automotive Group.
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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.
