BC Cancer Foundation - Winter 2015 - (Page 3)

OPENING THOUGHTS Catalysts of Change GENEROSITY OF B.C. DONORS ADVANCES CANCER TREATMENT AND CARE FOR B.C. PATIENTS FEATURES 8 A Monumental Leap in Cancer Treatment There's a new therapy on the block with great promise to improve outcomes for a variety of cancers. Learn how Dr. Brad Nelson's lab has developed a new treatment for patients in Dr. Anna Tinker's clinic. 10 Solving the Mystery of Treatment Failure Game-changing test is developed for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 12 A Picture with LifeSaving Properties Dr. François Bénard leads a team developing highly specialized radiotracers that seek out specific cancers to advance diagnoses, staging and treatment planning. DEPARTMENTS 3 Opening Thoughts 4 Healthy Insights 6 Why I Give 7 Researcher Profile 14 Legacy Giving 15 Regional Roundup Each day, my colleagues at the BC Cancer Foundation witness first-hand the incredible discoveries that result from the partnership of philanthropy and research. But what is perhaps most exciting is seeing discoveries made in the lab translated into new, more effective treatments for patients in the clinic. This year, donors across British Columbia have truly been the catalysts of change: pushing the cancer research agenda forward to achieve results where they matter most. Because of the continued generosity of families from across B.C., many of whom have been directly impacted by cancer, more and more patients are receiving the very best treatments and care in the world. Thanks to our donors, hundreds and hundreds more British Columbians will be able to say three important words: "I'm still here." Now is a particularly exciting time for translational cancer research in B.C., as a new leader takes the helm of the BC Cancer Agency. We are very pleased to welcome President Dr. Malcolm Moore and look forward to the progress his leadership will bring. On page 8, you will read about how donors have enabled BC Cancer Agency experts to translate a decade of laboratory research into cuttingedge clinical trials. In the new Conconi Family Immunotherapy Lab, this team will harness the power of the immune system to eradicate cancer. This is truly a new era of cancer therapy, which will bring solutions for even the most difficult to treat types of the disease. New knowledge of the genetic makeup of lymphoid cancer is also providing answers to questions that have long mystified experts, meaning better therapeutic options for patients in B.C. Please turn to page 10 to hear from Drs. Randy Gascoyne and Robert Kridel about the collaborative work they have been doing with colleagues from around the globe, and a remarkable new test that will prevent treatment failure for patients facing a deadly sub-type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Each year, we are honoured to partner with more than 100,000 British Columbians to translate the work of BC Cancer Agency scientists into meaningful solutions for patients in the clinic. Our commitment to translational research is shining a spotlight on the Agency and ensuring the highest standards of treatment and care. On behalf of the BC Cancer Foundation, happy holidays! Thank you for being our partners in discovery. Lou Del Gobbo Interim President & CEO BC Cancer Foundation BCCANCERFOUNDATION.COM 3 http://www.BCCANCERFOUNDATION.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BC Cancer Foundation - Winter 2015

BC Cancer Foundation - Winter 2015
Opening Thoughts
Healthy Insights
Why I Give
Researcher Profile
A Monumental Leap in Cancer Treatment
Solving the Mystery of Treatment Failure
A Picture with Life- Saving Properties
Legacy Giving

BC Cancer Foundation - Winter 2015