BMO Financial Group helps patients and families affected by cancer on Vancouver Island

June 14, 2010, Victoria, B.C. – BMO Financial Group announces a donation of $125,000 to the BC Cancer Foundation’s Inspire the World campaign. This gift will help support the creation of the BMO Relaxation and Exercise Studio in the newly renovated area of the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Island Centre. This space will provide a customized area for special exercise classes, which will benefit patients with various types of cancer. For example there will be upper body strength classes for breast cancer patients.

The Inspire the World capital campaign will fund the construction and renovation of 10,000 square feet of space in the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Island Centre, to create a state-of-the-art patient and family support centre, a predictive cancer research centre and a radiation innovation wing, and will also invest in leading-edge cancer research and programs. The BMO Relaxation and Exercise Studio will be built within the new patient and family support centre.

“BMO employees and customers on Vancouver Island will be very pleased that our gift supports the BC Cancer Foundation’s ambitious plans to transform the Centre in Victoria into a leading-edge cancer treatment and research facility,” said Mike Suzuki, Vice President, Vancouver Island District, BMO Bank of Montreal.

Nancy Payeur, for BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Island Centre said, “More than 4,000 British Columbians are diagnosed with cancer on Vancouver Island each year. Patients consistently tell their doctors at the BC Cancer Agency that they are very satisfied with the medical care they receive. However, patients are also expressing a great need for a dedicated space for exercise and relaxation classes.”

To learn more about the Inspire the World campaign, or to make a donation, please visit www.inspiretheworld.ca or call the BC Cancer Foundation at 250-382-4470.

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About the BC Cancer Foundation
The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority that provides a comprehensive cancer control program for everyone in B.C. and Yukon. For more information, visit www.bccancerfoundation.com

For more information:
Laura Walsh, CFRE
Campaign Director, BC Cancer Foundation
Email: lwalsh@bccancer.bc.ca
T: 250-382-4403
C: 250-480-9617

Laurie Grant
BMO Financial Group
Email: laurie.grant@bmo.com
T: 604-665-7596
C: 604-318-0735