Construction Begins on BC Cancer – Nanaimo

Construction is officially underway on the new BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo, marking a transformative step forward in expanding access to life-saving cancer care for patients across Vancouver Island. BC Cancer – Nanaimo is expected to open in 2028. 

The BC Cancer Foundation is proud to support its development through a $10 million fundraising campaign, aimed at equipping the centre with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technologies. 

“Today’s groundbreaking marks a major leap forward for cancer care on Vancouver Island,” says Sarah Roth, President & CEO, BC Cancer Foundation. “Through the BC Cancer Foundation’s $10 million fundraising campaign and the generosity of our donor community, we’re helping ensure BC Cancer – Nanaimo is equipped with the latest technology so more Island patients can receive world-class care, close to home, supported by their families.” 

With over half of the Island’s population living north of the Malahat, BC Cancer – Nanaimo will significantly reduce the travel burden for local patients. It will also expand BC Cancer’s overall capacity to deliver timely care across the Island. 

For the first time, radiation therapy will be available on Vancouver Island outside of Victoria. Nearly half of all cancer patients require radiation treatment, which often means travelling daily for several weeks. For those living up Island, this can be a physically and mentally exhausting and costly journey, especially during severe weather or wildfire season. The new centre will ease that burden by bringing care closer to home. 

BC Cancer – Nanaimo will also include a PET/CT diagnostic scanner, a CT simulator, and an oncology ambulatory care unit, among other critical services – bringing specialized care closer to home and allowing patients to remain near their support networks. 

Backed by strong community support, the Foundation is already more than a third of the way toward its $10 million goal. A generous $1 million matching gift from Mid Island Co-op, along with nearly 20 community-led events and leadership from supporters like Gordon Heys, has also helped drive growing momentum for the campaign. 

Read the full story in the Ministry of Infrastructure’s press release.