Treatment and research of the most complex cancers takes place at VGH and UBC Hospital.
Our focus is on world class research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cures of these complex cancers. We aspire to improve the patient journey and outcomes for all patients living with cancer through world leading personalized treatment and care.
VGH and UBC Hospital is world-renowned for providing the highest quality care, and for teaching and research excellence across our key program areas. In each of these areas, we are raising funds to purchase the most advanced equipment, attract the best minds, and support leading-edge research and innovation.
What do Cancer donors support?
- Improving survival rates through screening, earlier detection and diagnosis
- Reducing the impact of a cancer diagnosis on patients and their families
- Uncovering the next major breakthrough in replacing cells, tissues or organs
- Supporting precise, personalized medicine to target the unique attributes of each person’s cancer
- Prostate, ovarian, pancreatic, blood and skin cancers clinical trials to improve patient outcomes
- Prostate Centre, Pancreas, Skin, and Gynaecological Research Centres
- Investments in people such as Chairs and Fellowships
- Investments in equipment, tools and technology
The Need
Our focus involves a new lung cancer screening pilot program at VGH along with new research programs to increase the survival rates of cancer. We are leaders in prostate, pancreatic, ovarian and blood cancers.
More than 1.6 million people worldwide die each year from lung cancer.
6% survival rate Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, affecting 1 in 79 Canadians with an average 6% survival rate.
The Impact
Our initiatives are driven with the hope to lead to changes in clinical care and the formation of public policy in cancer screening and early detection.
A new screening program will enroll 2,000 high-risk individuals over a three-year period with a two-year follow-up.
The OVCARE program includes the use of an innovative microscope to unravel the genetic changes that give rise to ovarian cancers and pinpoint when in the development of these cancers they begin to change and become dangerous.
Featured Funds
OVCARE: Ovarian Cancer Research Program
OVCARE researchers make groundbreaking discoveries into subtypes of ovarian cancer as well as establishing a global surgical standard of removing fallopian tubes during hysterectomies to curb ovarian cancer rates.
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is currently the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in Canada. And with an aging population, it is expected to be the second leading cause by 2030.
The Pancreas Centre BC (PCBC) was founded over a decade ago, bringing together doctors and researchers from VGH, UBC and the BC Cancer Agency to improve pancreatic care and research. Since then, PCBC has made demonstrable progress, including the establishment of a Rapid Access Clinic and the Familial Pancreatic Cancer Program as well as a robust Biobank to help identify therapeutic targets.
