Jingle Mingle raises $650,000 to bring innovative therapies unit to Victoria

The BC Cancer Foundation’s 13^th annual Jingle Mingle, presented by Thrifty Foods, has raised an extraordinary $650,000 to bring an innovative therapies unit to BC Cancer – Victoria. These crucial funds, alon​g with the generosity of Foundation donors throughout the year means a new clinical trials unit will launch in Victoria.

Fueled by 325 generous Jingle Mingle guests, funds will support the launch of the unit, with a primary goal to create more clinical trials and provide greater access for more patients on the Island, and beyond.

Currently, there are six trials available in Victoria. With the inspiring philanthropic support from ​Jingle Mingle donors, BC Cancer can now quadruple this amount to 24 trials in the next two years, giving oncologists more options to better treat their patients.

“We are so grateful to the Victoria community for their support and thrilled to be able to launch a brand new innovative therapies unit that will change how we treat patients,” says Dr. Vanessa Bernstein, medical oncologist, Chair, skin cancer tumour group, BC Cancer.

Clinical trials represent the peak of innovative patient care, and a necessary step in the cutting-edge research that brings clinicians better treatments. In addition to providing new hope to patients and their families, clinical trials will spark change across the cancer landscape that will ensure the health of people facing cancer today, and for future generations.

At Victoria’s Fairmont Empress Hotel, the crowd was moved when Carla Thomson took the stage to speak about her 17-year-old daughter, Michelle Reilly, who is facing Glioblastoma Multiforme. Michelle has been gifted more time with her loved ones because of a tailored immunotherapy drug, which was found by BC Cancer’s research team.

"Funding an innovative therapies unit is an investment in the pinnacle of cancer research and care, and we're thrilled to build this foundation in Victoria, thanks to the generosity of our Island donors," says Sarah Roth, president and CEO, BC Cancer Foundation.

A festive ambiance filled the ballroom as guests enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, entertainment, a live auction and the chance to purchase a mystery box filled with various gifts donated by local businesses and artisans.

The BC Cancer Foundation’s Jingle Mingle has raised more than $8 million in its 13-year history, supporting BC Cancer’s brilliant clinicians and scientists to provide the Island community with world-class research and care today.

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