Initiative and Impact summaries from the BC Cancer Foundation team.

BC Cancer Foundation

As the fundraising partner of BC Cancer and the largest funder of cancer research and care in the province, the BC Cancer Foundation, along with our community of donors, focuses on these core pillars for fundraising: 
- advancing innovation through research and technology transformation
- accelerating access to cutting-edge care through expanded access to facilities and research; 
- and activating our world-class BC Cancer experts to improve outcomes for all British Columbians.
Read about our core pillars of investment ->

As the fundraising partner of BC Cancer and the largest funder of cancer research and care in the province, the BC Cancer Foundation, along with our community of donors, focuses on these core pillars for fundraising: 
- advancing innovation through research and technology transformation
- accelerating access to cutting-edge care through expanded access to facilities and research; 
- and activating our world-class BC Cancer experts to improve outcomes for all British Columbians.
Read about our core pillars of investment ->

2024 Financial Highlights: 
Our incredible $85 million in revenue in 2024 will fuel new breakthroughs and life-saving treatment closer to home for patients across all regions of B.C.  

Overview ->

2024 Impact Report

Initiatives: Overview

In the spring of 2024, the BC Cancer Foundation launched the BC Cancer – Vancouver Technology Transformation campaign, a $50 million initiative to acquire a suite of best-in-class diagnostic, imaging and radiation treatment technology.

Since the launch of the campaign, donors have helped the Foundation achieve more than 65% of its fundraising goal (as at November 2025).

We are thrilled to share what donor support has accomplished to date and what is possible in the years ahead.

In the spring of 2024, the BC Cancer Foundation launched the BC Cancer Technology Transformation campaign, a $50 million initiative to acquire a suite of best-in-class diagnostic, imaging and radiation treatment technology.

Since the launch of the campaign, donors have helped the Foundation achieve more than 65% of its fundraising goal (as at November 2025).

We are thrilled to share what donor support has accomplished to date and what is possible in the years ahead.

Technologies that fall under this initiative, and identified as priority investments include: MR-SIM, High Precision Linear Accelerator, MR-Linac, a new PET/CT,  Next Gen PET/CT, Cyclotron at Triumf, CT Replacement, and new Mammography Unit. The Technology Transformation will also accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies into daily practice, unlocking limitless potential within BC Cancer.

“These technologies give us insights we’ve only dreamed of. They allow us to see cancer in remarkable detail, monitor how it’s responding to treatment and adapt care in real time. This is a powerful leap forward in precision oncology and it’s only possible because of the generosity of donors.”
– Dr. François Bénard, BC Cancer’s Senior Executive Director of Research

Public Launch

News Article 

DONATE

Since the launch of the campaign, donors have helped the Foundation achieve more than 65% of its fundraising goal (as at November 2025). 

Remaining technology investment priorities are below: 
MR-SIM, High Precision Linear Accelerator, MR-Linac, a new PET/CT,  Next Gen PET/CT (complete), Cyclotron at Triumf (complete), CT Replacement (complete), and new Mammography Unit (near completion). The Technology Transformation will also accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies into daily practice, unlocking limitless potential within BC Cancer.

➡️ Contact Lindsay.Abbott@bccancer.bc.ca to learn more and/or to participate in funding the technology transformation initiative.

Priority Technologies ->

Recent Donation - Wheaton News Release

Donate

‼️ Conventional mammograms save lives. However, if a woman has dense breasts - and this is 43% of women! - a conventional mammogram will detect cancer only about 65% of the time. This means that when cancer is found, it’s often at a later - and often devastating - stage. Early detection is key to saving lives.

💟 But there is a solution: a new technology called Contrast Enhanced Mammography (CEM) raises detection rates significantly, especially for women with dense breasts. CEM doubles cancer detection rates compared to conventional mammograms, and identifies 3x more tumors than ultrasounds. The new machine will also increase capacity and be applied to breast cancer research. 

➡️ Contact Lindsay.Abbott@bccancer.bc.ca to learn more and/or to participate in funding this critical technology for women in BC.  

CEM (help us complete!) ->

Learn more about the CEM

Next Generation PET/CT Scanner.
The gold standard in PET/CT scanning technology and a first in Canada, the Next Gen PET/CT can image the entire body from head to pelvis in a single frame in about two minutes (compared to the current standard of 40 minutes). This offers groundbreaking advantages for both patient care and research.

The Next Gen PET/CT will provide patients with:
- Less radiation exposure to reduce side effects
- Improved access to the best technology available
- Timely access to drastically faster scans
- More detailed images of their cancer
- Improved comfort during the scanning process

PET/CT Scanner (complete) ->

Learn More

Photon Counting CT Scanner 
Now operational at BC Cancer – Vancouver, this first-in-Canada machine uses leading-edge photon-counting technology to deliver more accurate imaging with less radiation exposure to patients.

The Photon Counting CT will deliver:
- Superior image resolution and image quality
- Lower radiation doses for patients
- The ability to detect smaller lesions
- Improved patient experience with faster scan times
- Enhanced cancer research capabilities

CT Scanner (complete) ->

Construction is underway on a new state-of-the-art cyclotron and radiopharmacy laboratory in Vancouver that will increase access to PET/CT scans for patients across the province — and position B.C. as a global leader in theranostics, a field poised to transform the future of cancer care.

The BC Cancer Foundation is fundraising to provide $3.5 million to support the project which will enhance collaboration between two leading research organizations: BC Cancer and TRIUMF, Canada’s particle accelerator centre.

Cyclotron (complete) ->

Learn more about the Cyclotron

Blog Post on the Cyclotron

Initiative: Tech Transformation

"Accelerate Access to Care"

EXPANDING ACCESS BY INCREASING CAPACITY
Thanks to you, BC Cancer is expanding its provincial footprint by nearly 400,000 square
feet. We’ve added specialized care to existing sites and given more patients access to world-class technology close to home.
Four new BC Cancer centres will open in Surrey, Kamloops,
Nanaimo and Burnaby.

BC Cancer created new spaces for specialized treatment & care: 1.2.3

Access - Lower Mainland

The new BC Cancer – Burnaby McCarthy Centre will bring cancer care closer to home for the people of Burnaby and surrounding communities.

BC Cancer and Provincial Health Services Authority, in partnership with the Fraser Health Authority, is planning a new regional cancer centre as part of the second phase of the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment project.

The new BC Cancer – Burnaby McCarthy Centre will help meet the growing demand for cancer care in the rapidly expanding Fraser region communities. It will include:
- Oncology ambulatory care rooms, chemotherapy treatment spaces, oncology pharmacy, radiation therapy, and PET/CT
- Feature space for leading-edge clinical trials to advance vital research across all cancer areas

It will complement the services provided at the hospital and will include treatment, supportive care, research, education and innovative technologies, such as virtual health. Expanded cancer care services will increase capacity and decrease wait times for oncologist appointments, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, leading to better health care outcomes.

The cancer centre is a part of B.C.'s 10-year cancer action plan, which outlines immediate steps to prevent, detect and treat cancers, delivering improved care for people facing cancer now while preparing for the growing needs of the future. 

Burnaby McCarthy Centre

Groundbreaking of New Hospital and BC Cancer Centre in Surrey a Beacon of Hope for Fraser Region
BC Cancer Foundation is proudly committing $30 million to the new BC Cancer centre in Surrey, which broke ground on September 12, 2023.

BC Cancer Agency

Surrey BC Cancer Centre

Govt news

BCCF blog

One of BC Cancer's six regional care centres, BC Cancer – Surrey provides care and support for patients with cancer.

Surrey Breast Cancer Pavilion

Breast Biopsy Equipment and Room Upgrade (Vancouver)

The University of British Columbia

UBC Advanced Therapeutics Manufacturing Facility Support

UBC news

Facility website

LinkedIn post

Initiative: Expanding Access - Lower Mainland

"Accelerate Access to Care"
EXPANDING ACCESS BY INCREASING CAPACITY
Thanks to you, BC Cancer is expanding its provincial footprint by nearly 400,000 square
feet. We’ve added specialized care to existing sites and given more patients access to world-class technology close to home.
Four new BC Cancer centres will open in Surrey, Kamloops,
Nanaimo and Burnaby.

BC Cancer created new spaces for specialized treatment & care: 1.2.3

Access - Across BC

Patient-centred care is top of mind in the design and construction of the new BC Cancer centre at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. The new cancer centre is expected to provide space for:
- ​Radiation therapy (CT simulator & Linear accelerator (LINAC) vaults to provide radiation treatment)
- Outpatient oncology ambulatory care unit with exam rooms and consult rooms
- PET/CT diagnostic scanner
- Systemic therapy (i.e. chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy)
- Oncology pharmacy and outpatient dispensary
- Sacred space

Construction work also includes a new parkade next to the cancer centre, as well as parking stalls in the north lot.

The new cancer centre will be designed to ensure that it meets the needs of the public and adheres to radiation safety requirements for patients, staff and the surrounding community.

The cancer centre is a part of B.C.'s 10-year cancer action plan, which outlines immediate steps to prevent, detect and treat cancers, delivering improved care for people facing cancer now while preparing for the growing needs of the future.    

Nanaimo Centre

BC Cancer centre in Kamloops                    

BC Cancer is establishing a state-of-the-art Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory (MCL) at its L.J. Blackmore Research Centre to develop new cancer drugs by creating and testing small molecules, addressing a gap in their ability to translate discoveries into therapies, with support from the BC Cancer Foundation and collaborations with various labs like the Terry Fox Laboratory for broader research. This MCL will empower scientists to discover novel treatments, complementing existing research in areas like leukemia (Vu Lab), imaging (Bénard Lab), genetics (Cancer Genetics Lab), and targeted therapies (Bally Lab). 
Key Aspects of BC Cancer's Medicinal Chemistry Initiative:
Purpose: To develop novel small-molecule drugs to stop cancer cell growth, filling a critical need for in-house drug development capacity.
Location: The new facility will be housed at the L.J. Blackmore Cancer Research Centre.
Funding: A major fundraising campaign, supported by the BC Cancer Foundation, is underway to build this laboratory. 
Related Research Areas & Labs at BC Cancer:
Terry Fox Laboratory (TFL): Focuses on fundamental biology of cancer, including leukemia, stem cells, and novel technologies, often collaborating with medicinal chemistry efforts.
Molecular Oncology: Houses labs like the Aparicio Lab (breast cancer) and the Sorensen Lab (childhood cancers).
Experimental Therapeutics (ET): The Bally Lab explores drug delivery systems, like liposomes, for enhanced cancer treatment.
Cancer Genetics & Genomics Laboratory (CGL): Provides molecular diagnostics and research for hereditary cancer syndromes.
Investigational Drug Program (IDP): Offers preclinical services for developing compounds for early-phase human trials. 
How it Fits Together:
The new MCL aims to bridge the gap between fundamental discoveries (made in labs like TFL or Molecular Oncology) and clinical application, enabling scientists to design, synthesize, and test compounds that can become future cancer drugs, ultimately improving treatment for patients. 
For more information, you can visit the BC Cancer Research Institute (BCCRC) or BC Cancer Foundation websites or contact BC Cancer directly for clinical service inquiries. 

Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory – UJ Blackmore Cancer Research Centre

Wikipedia

Match - complete

The new BC Cancer centre at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) will bring radiation treatment closer to home for patients and families.

Nanaimo Cancer Centre                    

The Vancouver BMO Complex Care & Research Unit is likely a reference to several different initiatives or facilities in Vancouver that are supported by BMO Financial Group donations and deal with complex care and/or research. There isn't a single facility with that exact name. 

BMO has made significant donations to support health care and research in British Columbia, specifically for: 

BC Cancer Foundation: BMO has contributed to the BC Cancer Foundation to help fund the BMO Relaxation and Exercise Studio in the Vancouver Island Centre, and the BMO Vancouver Marathon is a major fundraising event for the BC Cancer Foundation and Canuck Place Children's Hospice.

Complex Care Housing: The Province of British Columbia has an initiative for complex care housing for people with significant mental health, addictions, or concurrent issues who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of eviction. BMO has not been specifically linked to this program in the search results.

BC Children's Hospital Complex Care Clinic: This is a specialized clinic for children and youth with medical complexities, such as genetic syndromes and neurologic impairments. Construction has begun on a new centre for children with health complexity, supported by various partners and donors.

New St. Paul's Hospital: A new St. Paul's Hospital and a new clinical support and research centre are currently being built in Vancouver's False Creek Flats area. 
To find specific information on the type of complex care unit you are interested in, you may need to:
Contact a specific health authority like Vancouver Coastal Health or Providence Health Care for information on their complex care services or research facilities.
Refer to the BC Children's Hospital website if the query is related to pediatric complex care.
Look into the BC Cancer Foundation for research-related initiatives that BMO has supported. 

======

Vancouver BMO Complex Care and Research Unit & 5th Floor Inpatient Unit Refresh

Vancouver BMO Complex Care and Research Unit & 5th Floor Inpatient Unit Refresh

Initiative: Expanding Access - B.C.

LEADING WITH FIRST-IN-CANADA APPROACHES
Your generous investments in innovative screening programs and advanced technology are enabling more cancers to be prevented and detected as early as possible and managed with the precision and speed of best-in-class tools.

Research

5 BC Cancer Research Breakthroughs in 2025:
This year, with donor support BC Cancer researchers made potentially life-saving discoveries in a variety of cancers.

2025 Research Breakthroughs ->

Your generous support has enabled the brilliant team at BC Cancer’s Centre for Lymphoid Cancer (CLC) to advance innovation in lymphoma research and care. World-leading experts and CLC Co- Directors Drs. David Scott and Christian Steidl are gaining deeper insights into the origins and trajectories of a range of lymphomas, uncovering more precise and effective treatments.

Impact Milestones:
- New cutting-edge tests developed by CLC scientists are improving lymphoma treatment. 
- Life-saving knowledge of follicular lymphoma (FL) is expanding 
- Donor-funded technology is helping BC Cancer study lymphoid cancers in more detail than ever before. 
- You are supporting a promising new generation of lymphoma experts. 

Once again, thank you for helping BC Cancer achieve greater heights of excellence for people facing lymphoma in our province.

Together, we are finding solutions to keep families together and give them hope for the future.

Lymphoid Cancer (complete) ->

Read the Impact Report

In 2024, four new gynecologic oncologists joined the BC Cancer team (three in Kelowna and one in Victoria) leading to a dramatic
reduction in surgery wait times. As surgery often precedes radiation or chemotherapy, this means patients are now receiving critical treatment faster and closer to home, improving outcomes and easing the burden on families.

This expansion is also fuelling research growth in Kelowna and Victoria – with more specialists on site, teams across the province are leading new research initiatives and clinical trials, accelerating
the pace of discovery and increasing access for patients who urgently need innovative treatment options.

Impact Milestones:
- Strengthening gynecologic cancer care and research across the province. 
- Refining precision oncology using artificial intelligence (AI)
- Addressing health disparities and improving access for gynecologic cancer care
- Expanding treatment options for a common endometrial cancer subtype
- Groundbreaking clinical trials for ovarian cancer 

Once again, thank you for helping BC Cancer achieve greater heights of excellence for people facing a gynecologic cancer in our province.

Together, we are finding solutions to keep families together and give them hope for the future.

Gynecologic Cancer (complete) ->

✅ Research dollars would go towards two research programs, focused on women: 

1️⃣ Funding a Breakthrough Discovery - Targeting G-Quadruplex DNA: BC Cancer researchers identified a shared weakness in BRCA-related breast cancers: G-quadruplex DNA. A new, world-first drug was discovered to kill cancer cells by targeting this DNA structure. In a groundbreaking clinical trial, led by BC Cancer’s Drs. Karen Gelmon and Sam Aparicio, tumours were genomically sequenced pre- and post-treatment, confirming success.

2️⃣ Funding a new research program Focusing on Younger Women with breast cancer: Younger patients face more aggressive cancers yet remain underrepresented in research. A new research program will explore why breast cancer behaves differently in younger women, using single-cell technology to personalize care and improve outcomes for patients. 

------
Led by the following Doctors: 

✅ DR. KAREN GELMON
Professor of Medicine, UBC, Medical Oncologist, BC Cancer. Listed as one of the World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds. 
• In collaboration with the Canadian Clinical Trials Group, led a Phase I trial where tumours were genomically sequenced before and after exposure to the drug
•  This trial marks the first successful use of a dug targeting G-quadruplex DNA to eradicate cancer cells in a solid tumour.

✅ DR. SAM APARICIO
Distinguished Scientist, Department Head, Breast and Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer
• Recipient of the esteemed Canada Gairdner International Award 
• International collaborator at the University of Cambridge, alongside Dr. Shankar Balasubramanian
• Drs. Aparicio and Balasubramanian are currently collaborating to build on a groundbreaking discovery to treat chemotherapy-resistant breast cancers by targeting folded DNA in the genome
• Dr. Aparicio’s team has discovered over 10 unique subtypes of breast cancer, a landmark discovery that has been referenced over 5,000 times and utilized by more than 550 labs worldwide 

Breast Cancer (2026 investment) ->

Breast Cancer Research Overview

BC Cancer experts are world-leading innovators in genomics, a powerful area of research that is revolutionizing the way cancer is diagnosed and treated. Thanks to your support, genomics has become a fundamental part of research at BC Cancer, with a direct impact for people in our province facing a range of cancers. 

Impact Milestones:
- Personalized Onco-Genomics (POG) matches patients with precision treatment
- POG is a fundamental platform for new research
- Bc Cancer developed a world-first tool that is revolutionizing genetic testing
- Sequencing DNA via blood tests in improving patient's quality of life and survival

Once again, thank for your helping BC Cancer achieve greater heights of excellence for people facing cancer in our province.

Together, we are finding solutions to keep families together and give them hope for the future. 
- 

Genomics (2026 investment) ->

Initiative: Research

DRIVING INNOVATION AND ACTIVATING TALENT
In 2024, your generosity empowered over 345 scientists and 720 trainees to conduct life-saving research and pioneer new treatment strategies for a wide spectrum of cancer types, with a focus on precision medicine, clinical trials and excellence in leadership.
We continue to invest in bringing world-class experts and equipping them.

Talent

Activate World-Class Experts. 

Empower BC Cancer’s world-class experts across the province to help them unleash their full potential.

Your support helps:

Create cutting-edge research opportunities to attract and retain top talent at BC Cancer.

Train and develop the next generation of scientists and clinicians.

Supply the necessary resources and tools for BC Cancer experts to conduct life-saving research. 

Activate World-Class Experts

Cancer Health Equity Collaborative (CHEC) is a newly formed team of academic and health system partners who are focusing on developing strategies to improve equity within the cancer care sector. Relationships among team investigators were catalyzed during the Michael Smith Health Research BC-funded C2 project led by Drs. Leah Lambert, Sally Thorne and Michael McKenzie, which resulted in the formation of CHEC. The CHEC team includes researchers, clinicians, trainees, and health system leaders with deep expertise in health equity, oncology care, and health services research.

Cancer Health Equity Collaborative (CHEC) | Nursing and Allied Health Research and Knowledge Translation

UBC seeks to advance cancer research as a priority research area

President’s Excellence Chair in Precision Oncology

$3 Million Raised by BC Cancer Staff Since 2020
On top of their amazing work, BC Cancer staff's incredible donations are helping drive innovative cancer research and care for patients.

Ignite Process Match

DRIVING INNOVATION AND
ACTIVATING TALENT
Your generosity empowered over 345 scientists and 720 trainees to conduct life-saving
research and pioneer new treatment strategies for a wide spectrum of cancer types, with
a focus on precision medicine, clinical trials and excellence in leadership.

BC Cancer created new leadership positions

Dr. Brad Nelson

bccancerfoundation.com 08

Dr. Brad Nelson was named
the Lynda and Murray Farmer
Immunotherapy Research
Chair. In his new position, Dr.
Nelson will continue leading
BC Cancer’s groundbreaking
immunotherapy research
program, testing genetically
engineered immune cells –
known as CAR-T cells – to
treat patients with aggressive
cancers.

A new surgical oncology
research program was
established at BC Cancer
– Kelowna, led by surgical
oncologist Dr. Chris Baliski.
The program enables
surgical oncologists to
pioneer less invasive,
more precise techniques
through a multidisciplinary
approach, leveraging artificial
intelligence, collaboration and
innovative technology.

The first-ever Chair in
Brachytherapy in Canada
was established to support
globally-renowned radiation
oncologist Dr. Juanita Crook’s
work. Brachytherapy is a type
of internal radiation therapy
commonly used to treat
prostate, breast and gynecologic
cancers. As Chair, Dr. Crook is
leading the team to uncover new
ways to make brachytherapy as
precise as possible.

The next generation of talent
gained training and experience
Beyond Belief donors uplifted BC Cancer’s
talented experts and supported emerging scientists
and clinicians by giving them hands-on experience
in BC Cancer labs. The BC Cancer Foundation’s
Rising Stars Awards were created to honour
scientist Dr. Connie Eaves, a pioneer at BC Cancer.
Throughout her more than 45-year-career, she
mentored and trained over 100 young scientists,
many of whom have become leaders in their fields.

Other talent programs

Initiative: Talent

DEEP DIVE->Research. 
Gynecologic Cancer Research & Care Impact Report. 
COMPLETE. THANK YOU
For supporting gynecologic cancer research and care.

Click through to learn more about how your support is helping BC Cancer achieve greater heights of excellence for people
facing a gynecologic cancer in our province.

“Recently gynecologic cancer clinicians have expressed that they feel incredibly supported by the BC Cancer Foundation and generous donors – they feel they have space and time to think about future opportunities and how to continue to do better for patients.”

Dr. Jessica McAlpine
Distinguished Gynecologic Oncologist, BC Cancer

STRENGTHENING GYNECOLOGIC CANCER CARE AND
RESEARCH ACROSS THE PROVINCE

In 2024, four new gynecologic oncologists
joined the BC Cancer team (three in Kelowna
and one in Victoria) leading to a dramatic
reduction in surgery wait times. As surgery often
precedes radiation or chemotherapy, this means
patients are now receiving critical treatment faster
and closer to home, improving outcomes and
easing the burden on families.

This expansion is also fueling research growth in
Kelowna and Victoria – with more specialists on
site, teams across the province are leading new
research initiatives and clinical trials, accelerating
the pace of discovery and increasing access for
patients who urgently need innovative treatment
options.

Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OVCARE) Director of Data Science and Informatics Dr. Aline Talhouk and OVCARE Director of AI Research Dr. Ali Bashashati are leading BC Cancer in the use of AI to improve how gynecologic cancers are diagnosed and treated.

PERSONALIZING TREATMENT FOR RECURRENT OVARIAN CANCER
Nearly 80% of ovarian cancer patients experience relapse and their cancer becomes resistant to standard platinum-based chemotherapy. Predicting which therapies will work at this stage is a significant challenge for clinicians. To address this, Dr. Talhouk and her team are developing an advanced language-based AI system to analyze vast medical data and suggest personalized treatment options for this high-risk group. It will create virtual models called ‘digital twins’ that use genetic, clinical and molecular data to simulate disease progression. This will enable scientists to test different “what-if” treatment scenarios, helping to optimize treatment sequencing and guide future AI-driven clinical trials.

ADVANCING ENDOMETRIAL CANCER DIAGNOSIS
An AI tool developed by Dr. Bashashati can detect subtle patterns in cancer cells invisible to the human eye and traditional diagnostics. The tool enabled scientists to identify a previously unrecognized high-risk subgroup of endometrial cancer with significantly poorer survival. Because the tool uses standard pathology images, it is cost-effective and easily scalable across diverse healthcare settings. Dr. Bashashati explains,
“What is compelling is the opportunity for greater equity and access, whether you live in a large urban centre or a rural community. Our hope is that this could truly transform how we diagnose and provide personalized care for patients everywhere.” The team is working to integrate this tool into clinical practice alongside existing diagnostics.

Precision Oncology Using AI

Dr. Drew is leading the recently launched NEOCATS trial, which is examining a new triple combination targeted drug treatment for advanced ovarian cancer. The study will assess the effectiveness of the treatment compared to chemotherapy, which is the current standard first-line treatment and can be accompanied by challenging side effects.

“This trial has the potential to fundamentally shift the paradigm of how we treat ovarian cancer,” emphasizes Dr. Drew. The NEOCATS trial is run out of BC Cancer – Vancouver and is recruiting patients across B.C. and nationally.

Dr. Drew is also the clinical lead on a new ovarian cancer immunotherapy research initiative in partnership with Scientific Director of BC Cancer’s Deeley Research Centre Dr. Brad Nelson.

Groundbreaking Clinical Trials

Many British Columbians face challenges accessing cancer care due to geographic location, language barriers, education levels and cultural differences. To ensure equitable, world-class care for all patients across the province, BC Cancer gynecologic cancer experts are:
• collecting demographic information on every new gynecologic cancer patient in order to develop tailored tools and processes for groups and individuals that require a more personalized care
approach.
• leading Canadian advancements in cervical cancer screening. In a recent Globe and Mail article, B.C. was recognized as one of only two provinces where cervical self-screening is available for free, providing British Columbians with a more equitable, comfortable and convenient way to test for cancer.
• widening access to opportunistic salpingectomy (OS), a safe and highly effective BC Cancer- developed ovarian cancer prevention strategy via removal of the fallopian tubes. OVCARE researcher Dr. Gillian Hanley’s team is studying barriers to OS uptake in rural and remote communities, with the goal of creating culturally safe tools for ovarian cancer prevention for Indigenous people. She is also exploring how to expand access more broadly by offering OS during colorectal surgeries, an option that is currently only offered during hysterectomies and tubal ligations.

Improving Access For Care

Chelsea Madrick (below) was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in her early 20s. She had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed and underwent intensive chemotherapy. While Chelsea is grateful to be cancer- free today and was supported by her care team to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a mother, she faces lasting side effects that impact her quality of life. For this reason, she is passionate about advocating for less toxic immunotherapy research for ovarian cancer patients.

Following the success of a phase I clinical trial using Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to treat patients with advanced blood cancer — in which over 67% of participants achieved complete regression — scientists are now studying how to use the groundbreaking treatment on ovarian cancer. A
clinical trial, co-led by Dr. Drew and Dr. Nelson, is in the early stages of development and could open by 2027.

Chelsea's Story

Gynecologic Cancer Research - COMPLETE

‼️ Conventional mammograms save lives. However, if a woman has dense breasts - and this is 43% of women! - a conventional mammogram will detect cancer only about 65% of the time. This means that when cancer is found, it’s often at a later - and often devastating - stage. Early detection is key to saving lives.

💟 But there is a solution: a new technology called Contrast Enhanced Mammography (CEM) raises detection rates significantly, especially for women with dense breasts. CEM doubles cancer detection rates compared to conventional mammograms, and identifies 3x more tumors than ultrasounds.

✅ Co-leads on the BC Cancer Foundation board, Laurie Schultz and Kristine Steuart, are bringing together a group of amazing people committed to saving lives. $700,000 is needed to complete the purchase of the CEM, and any additional funds will go toward critical breast cancer research.

➡️ To learn more about the initiative, click on the images above or to the left! Thank you to everyone supporting this important effort. Contact kristinesteuart@gmail.com to learn more.

Conventional mammograms save lives; However, did you know that:

❌ 1. Detection challenges:  
Conventional mammograms don’t catch all cancers (because of the location of the cancer or the density of the breast tissue). 43% of women have dense breast tissue, and sensitivity of mammography drops from 85% to 65% in people with dense breasts. 

❌ 2. Capacity challenges: 
Current capacity does not allow for the rate of viewing that is desired to increase outcomes.

❌ 3. Research capacity challenges: 
We don’t have the capacity for more research. More data will help increase knowledge and innovation.

This means that still too many breast cancers are not caught early, reducing positive outcomes. 

✅ BC Cancer - in conjunction with their fundraising partner BC Cancer Foundation - has a plan and opportunity to improve outcomes for the population that it serves: to acquire a revolutionary technology, a Contract Enhanced Mammography machine (CEM); And to fund critical breast cancer research.

Philanthropy is needed to bring this technology in.

💡Co-Leads on the BC Cancer Foundation board - Laurie Schultz and Kristine Steuart - are bringing together a group of amazing people who want to help support saving lives. $700k is needed to complete the purchase of the CEM and additional funds above this will go towards critical breast cancer research. 

➡️ To learn more about the initiative > click on the images above/left! Thank-you to those supporting this initiative. 
📧Contact Us:
To learn more, and/or to participate, please contact: 
Laurie Schultz: laurie@picassoinc.com
Kristine Steuart: kristinesteuart@gmail.com 
Lindsay Abbot:  Lindsay.Abbott@bccancer.bc.ca

Initiative Overview ->

Read Full PDF Presentation

✅ We're thrilled to bring together a group of amazing people in B.C. who are coming together to help support saving lives: $700,000 is needed to complete the purchase of the CEM and any additional funds will go towards critical breast cancer research.  

✅ Participants to date (we'll keep updating this as people join): 
💟 $75k-100k+: Judi Hess (former CEO Copperleaf), Laurie Schultz (former CEO Galvanize) 
💟 $35k-$60k: Jack & Tonia Newton Family Fund (CEO/Founder of Clio), Kristine Steuart (former CEO Allocadia), Michelle & Greg Malpass (former Traction founders)
💟 $10k-$30k: Jennifer Reid (Co-CEO Rival Group), Greg & Dorry Smith (former CEO Equinox Gold), Maria Pacella (Managing Partner at Pender Ventures) alongside her donation match Paul Geyer (medtech entrepreneur, investor, and board leader). 

We are nearing $500k committed; We'd love for you to join us!!
And we are committed to sharing results back with the group.

The Story Behind this Initiative: 
Laurie & Kristine were asked to get involved with BC Cancer Foundation after the foundation identified they wanted to broaden their tech expertise and reach within the tech community. After both having experience with friends, family & colleagues going through cancer, including breast cancer; and from personal experiences (given higher-risk dense breast tissue), they spearheaded this initiative to bring the latest innovation to BC to make an impact on women’s lives. 

👩‍💼 Laurie Schultz - Former President & CEO, Galvanize & Board Director. Laurie has over 30 years of technology-related experience spanning the personal finance, small business accounting, enterprise resource planning, and governance, risk, and compliance industries. As CEO of Galvanize, she became Canada’s first female CEO to lead a technology company to unicorn status with its April 2021 sale to Diligent for US$1 billion. Under her leadership, Galvanize raised over $100M in debt and equity, solidified its position as a market leader, and was frequently recognized as one of Canada’s Top Employers and Best Managed Companies.  Laurie is currently a Board Director for Constellation Software, UserZoom, Riskalyze (Chair) and Boast.ai (Chair).

👩🏻‍💼 Kristine Steuart – Kristine is a technology entrepreneur. She is currently the Co-Founder of SIX, where they are redefining how businesses engage with their customers.  Previously, Kristine was the CEO and Co-Founder of Allocadia. In 2021 Kristine led the company to a successful transaction for its customers, shareholders, and team members; Her and her twin sister Co-Founder Katherine Berry hold the distinction of one of the largest exits by a female-only founded company. Kristine was named one of the “Top 10 Women in Tech to Watch” by inc. magazine, and one of B.C.’s top 35 most influential women in business. The Allocadia team earned numerous community engagement and company culture awards.

📧Contact Us:
To learn more, and/or to participate, please contact: 
Laurie Schultz: laurie@picassoinc.com
Kristine Steuart: kristinesteuart@gmail.com 
Lindsay Abbot:  Lindsay.Abbott@bccancer.bc.ca

Participants & Donate ->

‼️ Conventional mammograms save lives. However, if a woman has dense breasts - and this is 43% of women! - a conventional mammogram will detect cancer only about 65% of the time. This means that when cancer is found, it’s often at a later - and often devastating - stage. Early detection is key to saving lives.

💡But there is a solution: a new technology called Contrast Enhanced Mammography (CEM) raises detection rates significantly, especially for women with dense breasts. 

DETECTION
💟 Doubles cancer detection rates, especially for women with dense breast tissue (43% of women in B.C. have dense breasts), compared to conventional mammograms 
💟 Identifies 3x more tumors than ultrasounds and catches cancers before they spread  
💟 Better identifies smaller tumors compared to conventional mammography, often before the cancer has spread to lymph nodes 

CAPACITY
💟 Increases overall capacity for breast imaging services in B.C.  
💟 Expand access to alternative testing for high-risk women 
💟 Faster — reduces scan times from 45 minutes to just 10 minutes 

RESEARCH
💟 Data and findings from using this technology can be applied to future breast cancer research (a need to define how it can drive innovation & change)

➡️ Contact Lindsay.Abbott@bccancer.bc.ca to learn more.

CEM Detection Stats ->

The CEM Machine will be located at the Vancouver Center. 

ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY: 

➡️ A contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) machine works by combining a standard digital mammogram with an iodinated contrast dye injected intravenously. After the contrast is injected, the machine takes two images of the breast in quick succession using different X-ray energy levels (low and high). A computer then digitally combines these images to create a final image that highlights areas where the contrast has pooled, indicating areas of increased blood supply that may signal cancer.  
➡️ Tumors typically show up as white spots on mammograms, but dense breast tissue also appears white, obscuring the tumors.
➡️ When you have lots of white normal breast tissue, it’s hard to see the white cancers. But when you do the contrast, the cancers take up the iodine, and all you’re seeing is this cancer lighting up.
➡️ CEM finds more tumors and detects them when they are small and have not yet spread to the lymph nodes. Detecting cancers when they are smaller leads to better outcomes. 

How the CEM Works ->

FACTS: Breast Cancer in B.C.

🤕 1 in 8 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. 
🤕 Breast cancer is most common cancer among women in B.C.
🤕 Every year, more than 4,000 women in B.C. are diagnosed with the disease 
🤕 It represents 25% of new cancer cases among women
🤕 Breast cancer risk increases with age and research shows that 5-10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary 
🤕 Unfortunately, the fatality rate is 17%, or 1 in 6 women

EARLY DETECTION IS KEY:
💟 92% survival rate for people facing breast cancer diagnosed at an early stage. 

✅ BC Cancer has a plan and opportunity to improve outcomes for the population that it serves: to acquire a revolutionary technology, a Contract Enhanced Mammography machine (CEM), and fund critical breast cancer research. 

Breast Cancer Facts ->

Carmen's Story

Tina's Story

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Research ->

Breast Cancer Machine (CEM)

The Campaign to raise $3.5m for a new cyclotron in BC. July 2024 update: The campaign is now complete and the cyclotron is now purchased! This is a huge benefit to the BC community to increase cancer research capacity and deliver personalized treatment to cancer patients. 

In June 2025, the BC Cancer Foundation publicly launched the BC Cancer – Vancouver Technology Transformation campaign, a $50 million initiative to acquire a suite of best-in-class diagnostic, imaging and radiation treatment technology.

A new cyclotron was identified as a priority item under the Tech Transformation initiative: A CYCLOTRON AT TRIUMF, CANADA’S PREMIER PARTICLE ACCELERATOR. 

To amplify the Technology Transformation and opportunities for research, a new cyclotron is scheduled to be installed by the end of 2025 at TRIUMF, BC Cancer’s close partner.

A cyclotron produces radioactive isotopes that are essential to maintain BC Cancer’s PET/CT imaging program, which is the busiest in Canada. This includes prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET scans which detect the spread of prostate cancer earlier and in more detail than conventional scans. 

Thanks to donors, PSMA-PET imaging is now standard of care province-wide. PSMA-PET also guides the use of targeted radiopharmaceutical treatments, such as Pluvicto, a new radioactive therapy for prostate cancer. Donors supported BC Cancer-led clinical trials for Pluvicto, which prolongs survival and significantly improves quality of life for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. This promising new treatment is being rolled out across the province this year. 

Cyclotron overview ->

If you would like to be a part of contributing to the cyclotron purchase, please contact Lindsay Abbott at Lindsay.Abbott@bccancer.bc.ca. You can also donate directly to this project via the link above. Any size of donation makes a difference. 

Campaign is COMPLETE!

Project Donation Link

Priority: Cyclotron

Cyclotron Project - $3.5m

The Institute for Advanced Medical Isotopes (IAMI) is a state-of-the-art facility for research into next-generation, life-saving medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals. Located on TRIUMF’s campus, it will comprise an integrated series of labs and a TR-24 medical cyclotron, one of the most technologically advanced commercial cyclotrons in the world. IAMI will significantly increase British Columbia’s and Canada’s capacity for the sustainable and reliable production and distribution of medical isotopes currently critical for Canadian health research and clinical use, including Technetium-99m and Fluorine-18.


Located at TRIUMF IAMI

Web Page Link


Recently, CBC News Vancouver reporter, Darius Mahdavi visited TRIUMF to get the scoop about TRIUMF and the world's largest cyclotron. The segment is a great introduction to TRIUMF, what a cyclotron is and what it is used for.

You can view the segment below, on YouTube.

CBC visits TRIUMF

YouTube Link

State-of-the-art technology enhances cancer diagnostics, research, care 

Cancer patients and their families will benefit from more access to life-saving cancer diagnostics as new equipment and research expand access to PET/CT scans and innovative cancer treatments throughout the province.

=====

This morning the Ministry of Health – in collaboration with BC Cancer Foundation, BC Cancer and TRIUMF – announced a significant expansion of B.C.’s nuclear medicine facilities at TRIUMF. 
 
As we celebrate this incredible news becoming public, and find renewed hope in knowing this expansion will bring faster and more effective treatment and care for patients in B.C., I want to thank you again for your fundraising support through the Tech Believes campaign.
 
Thanks to an $18.5 million anonymous donation in 2018 — $15 million of which was fundamental in establishing BC Cancer’s Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics program under the leadership of Dr. François Bénard — we’re now building on this investment with this new state-of-the-art cyclotron and radiopharmacy laboratory in Vancouver. Today, the BC Cancer Foundation announced we will invest another $3.5 million in this technology to establish Vancouver as one of a few facilities in the world to produce the specific radioactive atom needed in radiopharmaceuticals — positioning B.C. as a global leader in theranostics, a field on the cusp of transforming cancer care.
 
Today realizes the vision of the many donors who worked so hard to bring this cutting-edge care to patients in B.C, as early as 2018. One of which, a 59-year-old father who endured three and a half years of unsuccessful grueling treatment before losing his life to prostate cancer. His three kids might still have their father today if he had had access to this new technology and treatment.   
 
More here: State-of-the-art technology enhances cancer diagnostics, research, care