Honouring Brenda: A Legacy to Bring Cancer Care Closer to Home

“I said if they ever announce a BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo, I’ll donate $50,000,” Kim recalls. Now, with BC Cancer – Nanaimo set to open in 2028, he’s fulfilled that promise — and gone a step further by including the BC Cancer Foundation in his estate plans.

A Gift to Bring Care Closer to Home

Kim and Brenda Pirie believed in living life to the fullest. They travelled extensively — Bora Bora, Mexico, Baffin Island and beyond — making memories that became even more precious after Brenda’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2014. Now, Kim is honouring Brenda’s spirit of resilience by supporting cancer care close to home, including a gift in his will to the Foundation.

While Brenda’s journey was marked by incredible strength, the long trips from their Nanaimo home to BC Cancer – Victoria were challenging. Inspired by the community’s generosity in bringing Vancouver Island’s first PET/CT scanner to BC Cancer – Victoria in 2019, Kim was determined to do more.

A Legacy for Future Generations

Their daughter, Lindsay, witnessed the importance of accessible, high-quality care during her mother’s illness, which inspired her to pursue a career as a nurse in Nanaimo. “She called recently to say she saw trees being cleared for the new centre — it’s so exciting to see.”

BC Cancer – Nanaimo will not only ease travel hardships for thousands of patients from north of the Malahat, but also free up vital treatment space at BC Cancer – Victoria, ensuring more timely care across the Island.

Kim encourages his community to think about how they can ease the burden for future families — whether by supporting the new centre or advancing BC Cancer’s life-saving research.

“I have no doubts about the quality of care my wife received at BC Cancer. If you want to support cancer care, I tell people that’s the place to give to.”