Vancouver, B.C. – Cancer research and care will benefit from a local family’s efforts to honour their mother through the Sarabjit Gill Memorial Fund. Thanks to support from many in the community, the Gill family is nearing their goal of $75,000 raised in memory of their mother, benefitting the BC Cancer Foundation.
Within days of losing their mother to cancer, Mandeep and her siblings, Jag and Manpreet Gill, knew they wanted to honour Sarabjit and support cancer research, which will help others in their community who may one day face a cancer diagnosis. Sarabjit was known for her giving nature and the family is determined to carry on her legacy of helping others.
“Last year we were shocked to learn that our mom had a very aggressive cancer that had spread throughout her abdomen. Unfortunately, the cancer was so aggressive and had spread so far that there were no treatment options,” says Mandeep who expresses how devastated she and her family were to lose their mother just weeks after her diagnosis.
“We started the Sarabjit Gill Memorial Fund in our mom’s name to raise money for the BC Cancer Foundation,” she says. The fund will help to further molecular cancer research and studies into cancers of gynaecological origin.
Mandeep explains her family’s ultimate goal, “It is our hope that a cure for this terrible disease will be found and that no family has to suffer the untimely loss of a loved one.”
Family, friends and members of the community have come together to honour Sarabjit and her enduring strength, kindness and giving nature. Their generosity has astounded the Gills over recent months, as they quickly surpassed their original goal of $50,000 and are nearing their new goal of $75, 000, which will support cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency and Cancer Research Centre.
President and CEO of BC Cancer Foundation Douglas Nelson says, “I’m truly humbled by the community’s caring support for the Gill family and their efforts to honour Sarabjit. The Sarabjit Gill Memorial Fund will have a significant impact on future research and cancer care in the province.”
For those interested in more information about the Sarabjit Gill Memorial Fund and how you can help Mandeep and her family reach their goal, please visit: http://donate.bccancerfoundation.com/goto/SarabjitGillMemorialFund.
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For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Allison Colina
Communications Specialist
e. allison.colina@bccancer.bc.ca
