BC Cancer’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Paris-Ann Ingledew

BC Cancer’s new chief medical officer on how donor support is expanding research, treatment and access to care across the province.    

You’ve worked at three of BC Cancer’s six centres. How does that perspective shape your leadership today?    

“Having worked at BC Cancer – Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver I can say with certainty that every centre has its own unique culture and attributes, but all are connected by a common thread of applying research, technology and innovation to ensure the best care for all patients.  In addition to working at these centres, I also grew up in Kelowna, a community served by one of our centres.  As we open new cancer spaces across B.C., I am excited to bring exceptional world class care to many more patients closer to home.”  

Why is the BC Cancer Foundation’s partnership so important to BC Cancer?     

“It’s essential. Government funding allows us to deliver standard of care, but philanthropy helps us move faster, think bigger and drive meaningful change. Cancer care is challenging, but the Foundation’s dedicated donor community are a bright light that inspires and motivates us in our work.”   

Can you share examples of donor-funded advances that are changing care?    

“Donor investment is helping BC Cancer expand immunotherapy and CAR-T therapy — one of the most promising areas in cancer care — while also advancing precision oncology, genomics and AI-driven research.   

The Foundation’s support in acquiring a Next-Generation PET/CT and cutting-edge precision radiation technologies is allowing us to deliver more accurate treatment, often in fewer visits with fewer side effects, which makes a meaningful difference for patients. These innovations simply wouldn’t be possible without philanthropy.”    

How does donor support help more patients across B.C. access leading-edge cancer care?   

“Donors help us create change on a system-wide level. One powerful example is the expansion of clinical trials. Donor support helps make trials available at BC Cancer centres across the province, so more patients can access leading-edge care closer to home. And when those trials succeed, they improve care not just in B.C. but worldwide.”