A Legacy of Love, Hope and Community

The new BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo will bring life-saving care closer to home for thousands of Vancouver Island patients. For Jim Turley, the importance of the new cancer centre is deeply personal—one that has inspired him to support its future through his estate plans.

Jim and his wife Marianne retired in 2018, selling their beloved Nanaimo flower shop, Turley’s Florist, after operating it together for 43 years. But their retirement took an unexpected and heartbreaking turn when Marianne began experiencing severe abdominal pain. In 2019, she was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer that had spread to her liver and other organs.

Travelling for Treatment

“Marianne’s condition required urgent, specialized care that only BC Cancer – Victoria could provide,” Jim recalls. “We normally enjoyed driving and at first the trip wasn’t too bad. But as the months went on, I could see it was getting harder and harder on Marianne, even if she wouldn’t say it.”

The couple made the 110km drive almost every Friday for a year.

Jim was struck by how many familiar faces from Nanaimo he saw at BC Cancer – Victoria. In fact, half of all cancer cases diagnosed on the Island are from north of the Malahat, meaning thousands travel to Victoria each year for care.

“Knowing how hard it was for us, I can’t imagine what it’s like for people from Campbell River or more northern communities, or those without someone to drive them down.”

For Jim, the new BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo isn’t just a convenience, it’s a necessity. “Our community is aging and that’s when health issues, including cancer, are more likely. The new BC Cancer centre is an extremely positive change for us.”

It will also increase Vancouver Island’s overall capacity to deliver timely cancer care for patients on every part of the Island.

Planned Giving: A Legacy of Hope

Marianne passed in 2021, leaving Jim committed to honouring her memory and fulfilling her wish that “life will go on” after she was gone.

“She was a determined woman, dedicated to our family and causes that would better our community. While her treatment wasn’t successful, we were grateful for BC Cancer’s compassion and care. She saw supporting BC Cancer Foundation as a way to give back and help other families that will face this awful disease.”

The Turleys, as small business owners, saved diligently in their RRSPs, knowing they wouldn’t have a corporate pension to rely on. “Sadly, we didn’t get to enjoy the retirement we had planned. Between the sale of the flower shop and both our lifesavings, I have more than I realistically will use in this lifetime.”

With their three children now professionally successful, Jim has decided to leave a significant portion of his estate to the BC Cancer Foundation to lessen the tax impact on his heirs and support a cause close to his heart.

“It gives me peace of mind knowing the work in Nanaimo will continue after I’m gone,” says Jim who also sits on the Foundation’s Nanaimo Advisory Council – a group of advocates raising awareness for the importance of donor support for the new centre. “And I know Marianne would be pleased her lifesavings will help ensure future families won’t need to make that difficult journey.