Established in 1935, the BC Cancer Foundation is an independent charitable organization that raises and stewards resources to directly support breakthrough research and compassionate care at the BC Cancer Agency throughout the province of British Columbia

British Columbia

British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...

. With the best cancer survival rates in Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

, the BC Cancer Agency

BC Cancer Agency

The BC Cancer Agency is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority in British Columbia, Canada.-Mission:The Agency has a three-part mission:* To reduce the incidence of cancer.* To reduce the mortality rate of people with cancer....

 has become a model for cancer

Cancer

Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...

 care and control around the world.

Locations

The BC Cancer Foundation has offices in all five of the BC Cancer Agency’s treatment centres including the Fraser Valley (Surrey), Southern Interior (Kelowna), Vancouver Island (Victoria), Abbotsford and Vancouver.

Fundraising

The BC Cancer Foundation funds more cancer research in B.C. than any other charitable organization. Donations to the BC Cancer Foundation directly support research at the BC Cancer Agency including support for salaries, for construction of the BC Cancer Agency’s Research Centres in Vancouver

Vancouver

Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...

 and Victoria

Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...

, and for equipment. In addition to funding basic research at the BC Cancer Agency, the BC Cancer Foundation also provides funds for clinical research, prevention and enhancements to patient care.

BC Cancer Foundation's Signature Fundraising Events:
The Shopper’s Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers (www.endcancer.ca)
The Ride to Conquer Cancer (www.conquercancer.ca)
The Underwear Affair (www.uncoverthecure.org)
Inspiration Gala (www.bccancerfoundation.com)

In 2009, the BC Cancer Foundation provided the BC Cancer Agency with nearly $33 million dollars.

Events

The BC Cancer Foundation is the beneficiary of major fundraising events including: The Weekend to End Women's Cancers, a two-day, 60-kilometre walk through Vancouver streets in support of breast cancer research and enhancements to care at the BC Cancer Agency raised over $19 million dollars to date. The 2010 BC Cancer Foundation’s The Underwear Affair, a 10-kilometre run/5-kilometre walk through Vancouver raised $552,000 to support prevention and early detection at the BC Cancer Agency of the seven below-the-belt cancers. BC Cancer Foundation’s 2007 Tour of Courage featured special guest appearances by cancer survivor and cycling legend, Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong

Lance Edward Armstrong is an American former professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived testicular cancer. He is also the founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research and support...

 and raised over $1.8 million for blood cancer research. BC Cancer Foundation’s 2010 Ride to Conquer Cancer raised over $9.2 million for cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency, making it the most successful fundraising event in the Foundation’s history.

Sources

BC Cancer Foundation

BC Cancer Agency

Tour of Courage

The Underwear Affair

Weekend to End Breast Cancer

Ride to Conquer Cancer