Discovery Luncheon – Kelowna raises record $177,000 to support critical Patient and Family Emergency Fund
November 15, 2018
Found in News
KELOWNA, B.C. – BC Cancer Foundation’s 8th annual Discovery Luncheon raised an amazing $177,000 to support the Patient and Family Emergency Fund at BC Cancer – Kelowna and help lessen the burden for those facing a cancer diagnosis.
“I am always so inspired by the sheer generosity of our donors in Kelowna and across the Interior,” says Sarah Roth, president & CEO, BC Cancer Foundation. “Cancer is hard enough. Through the Patient and Family Emergency Fund our donors are helping remove tremendous stress and bring new hope to families impacted by this disease.”
With a cancer diagnosis can come many additional burdens, such as having to travel for treatment or deal with added financial stresses that may arise.
The Patient and Family Emergency Fund is designed to help people cope with these barriers. From supporting accommodation and travel expenses for out of town patients, to speech therapy or emergency dental procedures related to care, donors are helping alleviate some of the hardships from an already stressful situation.
“Donor support helps to ensure that our patients’ choices are not limited by finances,” says David Greenshields, regional professional practice leader, Patient and Family Counselling, BC Cancer – Kelowna. “For many people, the Patient and Family Emergency Fund can be the difference between being able to undergo potentially life-saving treatment or not.”
Over the past eight years the Discovery Luncheon has supported the latest cutting edge research and enhancements to patient care taking place at BC Cancer – Kelowna. Today’s event was another example of how the generosity of donors is helping ensure families across the Interior can continue to have access to the latest in treatment and care.
No stranger to philanthropy, Tom Budd of The Thomas Alan Budd Foundation once again showed generous support by matching every donation made at the event.
Special thanks to event sponsors BMO Bank of Montreal, Sentes Automotive and the West Kelowna Daybreak Rotary Club.
To learn more, visit www.bccancerfoundation.com.
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Media enquiries please contact:
Melissa Rottare
Communications Coordinator
BC Cancer Foundation
t: 604.707.5900 ext 674834
e: melissa.rottare@bccancer.bc.ca
Cynthia Waldek-Peters
Director, Development, Kelowna
BC Cancer Foundation
t. 250.712.3910
c. 250.575.7651
e. cwaldekpeters@bccancer.bc.ca