New BC Cancer Research Centre Launch

BC Cancer Foundation Launches construction of new BC Cancer Research Centre - Concludes largest health care fundraising initiative in BC history

Vancouver, BC, Canada [ photos ] The BC Cancer Foundation announced the official groundbreaking for construction of one of Canada's largest cancer research facilities today at the site of the new BC Cancer Research Centre.

Officials from the BC Cancer Foundation and the BC Cancer Agency were joined in today's announcement by a number of federal and provincial dignitaries, including Canada's Industry Minister, Allan Rock, and British Columbia's Minister of Health Planning, Sindi Hawkins.

"Today marks the completion of the most ambitious health care fundraising campaign in the history of British Columbia," said Mary McNeil, BC Cancer Foundation President and CEO. "Through the support of our many contributors, including both the governments of Canada and British Columbia, we have in seven short years made the $100-million Millennium Campaign a reality. And today we see the results of those efforts as we begin officially building the new BC Cancer Research Centre."

"As a translational research organization, the BC Cancer Agency applies new knowledge acquired through research to have a positive and direct effect on cancer patients," said Dr. Victor Ling, head of research and one of the visionaries who first championed the idea for a new research centre. "This new building will provide critically needed research space and allow us to continue to attract the brightest and best researchers to help us tackle the cancer problem," Ling added.

"The new BC Cancer Research Centre will expand British Columbia's capacity to deliver cutting edge cancer research discoveries to Canada and the world," said Minister Rock. "The BC Cancer Agency has an international reputation for excellence, and this new facility will further strengthen Canada's ability to attract and retain top scientists from around the world."

Strategically situated next to the BC Cancer Agency's Vancouver Centre, the new building will improve "bench to bedside care," - the integration of research and patient care, making a very real difference in the lives of people living with cancer. "This model of cancer treatment and research under one roof is unique to British Columbia," Health Planning Minister Sindi Hawkins said on behalf of Competition, Science and Enterprise Minister Rick Thorpe. "It's a system that brings scientists and doctors together, quickly delivering new treatment knowledge to the patient's bedside where it matters most."

Funded through the BC Cancer Foundation, the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Knowledge Development Fund, the new building is scheduled for completion in 2004. It will house 50 principal investigators with room for an additional 250 scientific and medical research staff working in eight specialized departments including Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, creating new opportunities and making the BC Cancer Agency and British Columbia an attractive destination for highly skilled professionals.