BC Cancer Foundation’s Jingle Mingle Poised to Advance Patient Navigation Research on Vancouver Island
November 23, 2012
Found in News
Victoria, B.C. – The BC Cancer Foundation’s Jingle Mingle — Victoria’s holiday cocktail party of the year— will raise funds for patient navigation research, set to improve each patient’s cancer journey on Vancouver Island.
Patient navigation sees patients and families collaborating with care-givers to negotiate the maze of treatments, services and potential barriers they encounter on the cancer journey. Navigation has a significant impact on patient quality of life. Shaun Lorhan, navigation research lead at the BC Cancer Agency, is focused on improving the patient experience as they traverse the cancer care environment.
“Patient navigation is a fundamental component of patient care, and Jingle Mingle guests will help us embark on research projects to determine the best navigation models for our patients,” says Lorhan. The patient navigation research program offers a significant opportunity to establish new, evidence-based knowledge and standards of care that will serve as a model for other centres around the province.
Over 18 months ago Laurene Clark was told she should get her affairs in order and enjoy her remaining time as the average survival for her type of cancer is nine to 18 months. After receiving treatment at the BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Island Centre, her tumour is no longer detectable.
Clark has been down this path before—the Jingle Mingle committee member has a long history with cancer, having experienced three diagnoses and multiple rounds of treatment over the past 16 years. “Supportive care is one of the critical ways in which we can assist people with cancer on an ongoing basis,” says Clark, who strongly believes in the value of patient navigation research.
Clark, Jingle Mingle Chair Bonnie Campbell, and fellow committee members have fashioned an incredible evening of cocktails, delectable bites and a luxurious auction to take place at the Fairmont Empress Hotel on November 29th. A brand new 2012 Hyundai Accent, courtesy of Victoria Hyundai, will be on the bidding block supporting research and the opportunity to enhance the daily journey of cancer patients on Vancouver Island.
“The BC Cancer Foundation is looking forward to building on the success of the 2011 Jingle Mingle and Jingle Soiree which raised over half a million dollars for innovative research at the BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Island Centre,” says Douglas Nelson, President & CEO, BC Cancer Foundation.
Tickets for Jingle Mingle are $150 per person; tickets for the Jingle Soirée—an intimate dinner following the cocktail party—are $500 per person with a partial tax receipt available for each event. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the BC Cancer Foundation at 250.519.5550.
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Media contact:
Allison Colina
t. 604-707-5934
e. allison.colina@bccancer.bc.ca
