2008 Community Report

Won’t you join me on a brief journey? You will see how your support makes it possible for us to turn fear of cancer into hope and how this hope becomes reality for thousands of British Columbians and Yukoners.

Cancer is the number one health concern today. In the fifteen years that I have had the privilege of leading this organization, I have seen tremendous progress in improving the lives of people with cancer and advances in eradicating cancer.

A commitment to cancer prevention and investments in cancer research in BC are making progress against cancer. Although BC will have 20,600 new cases of cancer this year and 9,400 deaths, the situation in BC is better than the rest of Canada. Both the overall incidence and mortality rates are the lowest in the country. In BC the five year survival rates for the most common cancers are about equal to the Canadian average.

How did we do it? By investments in outstanding cancer research in BC, critical cancer prevention initiatives and valued community based programs to improve quality of life.

But it is the unwavering public support, the exceptional commitment of volunteers and our unfailing determination to stop cancer that drives progress.

We have a presence in more than 80 communities throughout BC and the Yukon with an even greater reach to rural and remote communities through our website www.cancer.ca.

Thousands of volunteers are providing caring support programs; delivering critical cancer prevention information; mobilizing for healthier communities and protection from environmental carcinogens; and fundraising tirelessly.

Thank you for your commitment and confidence in us.