Hope Couture raises $1.5 million to Create New Possibilities for Hard-To-Treat Cancers in BC

Vancouver, BC – Today, the BC Cancer Foundation’s inaugural Hope Couture fundraising event raised an incredible $1.5 million to support the purchase of a state-of-the-art Vero™ machine, a $6.5 million technologically-advanced radiotherapy system. One of the first machines of its kind in Canada, the VERO^TM will be located at the BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Centre.

Fashion met cause at Hope Couture! The elegant, sold-out fashion show and luncheon event was held at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver with over 400 Vancouverites in attendance. Vancouver’s boutique retailers, Bacci’s and Boboli, presented fashions from the collections of Lanvin, Céline, Chloé, Etro, Valentino, Stella McCartney and more.

“We are pleased to support the brilliant care providers at the BC Cancer Agency by providing them with critical funds to acquire the VERO^TM, an innovative tool to help continue their life-saving work,” says Hope Couture committee member Jane Young.

Each year many British Columbians are diagnosed with cancers that are difficult to treat such as lung, liver, pancreas, and brain cancers. Funds raised through Hope Couture presented by Peterson will add to the powerful tools already available for radiation therapy. The VERO^TM machine is the most technologically advanced linear accelerator-based radiotherapy delivery system on the market today. This machine is truly innovative because it is able to deliver precise treatment to tumours that would not be possible to treat otherwise through traditional radiation therapy.

“Hope Couture has provided us with a tremendous opportunity to advance cancer treatment and research at the BC Cancer Agency,” says Dr. Roy Ma, Radiation Oncologist at the BC Cancer Agency. “Bringing the VERO^TM to B.C. will create an unequalled opportunity to help improve outcomes for cancer patients in British Columbia. Having VERO will enable the building of a clinical research program, acquiring knowledge from evidence-based practice that can be shared world-wide,” adds Dr. Ma.

Speaking to the event attendees Douglas Nelson, President and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation thanked the Hope Couture committee and presenting sponsor Peterson, for their generous contributions, “Your commitment to supporting the BC Cancer Agency is unyielding. With the $1.5 million raised today toward the VERO^TM machine, you have created whole new possibilities that previously did not exist for hard-to-treat cancers,” he said.

While the scene was set for the next season of haute couture in Vancouver, hundreds of generous supporters ushered in a new era in cancer treatment that will give B.C. families more life-saving treatment options.

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Media contact:

Monica Bisal
Communications Specialist
BC Cancer Foundation
t. 604-707-5934
e. monica.bisal@bccancer.bc.ca

The BC Cancer Foundation is the bridge that connects philanthropic support and research breakthroughs in cancer knowledge. As the fundraising partner of the BC Cancer Agency and the largest funder of cancer research in this province, we enable donors to make contributions to leading-edge research that has a direct impact on improvements to cancer care for patients in British Columbia. We fund with the goal of finding solutions. Visit www.bccancerfoundation.com to make a donation or to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.

The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. For more information, visit www.bccancer.ca.