Five Ways BC Cancer Foundation Donors Made a Difference in 2025

1. Donor Support Launches Life-Saving Radiation Trial

After a decade of living with Stage 4 breast cancer, which spread to her lymph nodes and bones, Violet MacLean was the first patient treated through SIMPLIFY, a BC Cancer – Prince Geoge-led precision radiation clinical trial made possible by $2.2 million in donor support, including a generous $500,000 donation from local philanthropists Selen and Anita Alpay.

2. Braving Iceland’s Winds to Drive Ovarian Cancer Research

BC Cancer’s compassionate care helped ensure Christian Jones’ wedding in Spain could go on just two months after his fiancé Hannah was diagnosed with cancer at just 29. After Hannah’s younger sister was also diagnosed, Christian took to his bike — and Iceland’s Westfjords — to give back and raise funds for ovarian cancer research.

3. Workout to Conquer Cancer Raises Record-Setting Revenue

More than 2,200 participants and 150 teams moved every day in May to raise an all-time high of $1.6 million in the 9th annual Workout to Conquer Cancer. Ready to move for a cause? Registration for the 2026 Workout to Conquer Cancer opens this January — mark your calendar and join the movement!

4. BC Cancer – Victoria Opens First Fully Donor-Funded Building

A major expansion to the BC Cancer – Victoria campus, the new Ernie & Yvonne Yakimovich Integrated Care and Research Pavilion, was achieved through the generosity of more than 2,100 donors who raised $11.3 million to fully fund the purchase and renovation of the building.

Named in honour of the Yakimovich family’s philanthropic leadership, the new space will home critical supportive care services and the BC Cancer – Victoria Clinical Trials Unit.

5. RBC Invests in Close to Home Cancer Care in Surrey

A new BC Cancer centre is Surrey is one step closer to being equipped with advanced technology — including PET/CT scanners, LINACs and MRI systems — thanks to a $1 million gift from RBC Foundation.