BC Cancer Foundation - Winter 2015 - (Page 6)

WHY I GIVE Cycling to Support Research A young father diagnosed with cancer goes on a quest to raise support for cancer research F or Gino Laplante, cycling from Vancouver to Seattle in the Ride to Conquer Cancer is his way of supporting the cancer research that helped save his life. In 2007, the father of three was diagnosed with a rare form of testicular cancer that had also spread to his lymph nodes, lungs and abdomen. The news was an immense shock to Gino, who was given three months to live at the time of his diagnosis. "Cancer is a terrible disease that can strike anyone at any given time and cause unbelievable sadness," he says. "I was a healthy, happily married 34-year-old who had never been sick a day in my life." TREATMENT CLOSE TO HOME Four months of daily chemotherapy treatments were initially effective in treating his cancer; however, a month and a half later the cancer returned. Gino underwent back-to-back Autologous Stem Cell Transplant with High-Dose Chemotherapy, a trial treatment he says he is grateful for receiving. 6 PARTNERS IN DISCOVERY "I am one of the very few lucky ones in B.C. who was able to have it," he says. "I have travelled to many places around the world, and believe me when I tell you, we are so lucky to have the treatment centres and hospitals that we do." TAKING A RIDE Gino's experience is what led him to take part in the Ride and fundraise for the BC Cancer Foundation in support of the BC Cancer Agency. Fuelling the latest in cancer research helps give him hope that others won't have to endure what he went through. "I feel very blessed to be alive today and to be healthy enough to ride with my family and friends," he says. "I never Gino (front row, left) gearing up for his next Ride want to see any of my loved ones where I was. It almost took me away from my wife and kids. They still need me and I still need them." In one way or another, cancer has affected the members of his Mack Kirk Cycle Team, either through close friends or family members, Gino says. He encourages showing support through fundraising for anyone who isn't involved. "As a cancer survivor, I ride for people like myself who are still here and will hopefully make a difference by taking action," he says. "We need your help to conquer cancer." Over the last seven years, the Ride to Conquer Cancer has raised $70 million in support of innovative research, such as clinical trials aimed at identifying life-saving patient treatments and improving quality of life for those living with cancer. CLINICAL TRIALS EXPANDING Clinical trials provide hope to patients in need. Learn how you can support the expanding provincial clinical trials network at the BC Cancer Agency today. Call Barbara Becker at 604-877-6040 or email barbara.becker@bccancer.bc.ca.

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