The B.C. Cancer Foundation launched a campaign Friday to raise $15 million to transform the former Canadian National Institute for the Blind building on Richmond Road into a supportive-care centre for cancer patients, offering such things as counselling, psychiatry and nutrition advice.
Funds will also support research and clinical trials at Greater Victoria’s existing cancer facility nearby.
A campaign to fully fund the purchase and renovation of an existing building is a first for the foundation.
The 12,000-square-foot building, which is set to be opened as the Victoria Integrated Care and Research Pavilion in the summer of 2024, is across the street from Royal Jubilee Hospital and the adjacent B.C. Cancer complex. The latter facility opened in 2001 on Lee Avenue and is one of six regional sites in the province.
Of the $15-million goal, $11.3 million is earmarked for the new facility while $3.7 million will be used for additional research efforts, making the campaign the largest-ever for the foundation.
At the announcement at the Richmond Road location, foundation chief executive Sarah Roth said the campaign has already received a $2.5-million donation from Ernie and Yvonne Yakimovich and a $500,000 donation from Murray and Lynda Farmer, who are serving as honorary co-chairs of the fundraising effort.
“We have incredible momentum and we are asking the community to continue and to drive this forward,” she said.
The proximity of the former CNIB building to the main cancer-treatment complex will allow staff to move easily between the two venues, said B.C. Cancer Victoria executive director Kelly Nystedt, who started with the organization as a radiation therapist more than 30 years ago.
Nystedt said patients and families need supportive care as they journey from diagnosis to treatment, survivorship and palliative care.
“Supportive care also helps families and patients through practical concerns, things like accommodation and transportation — we serve families from right across this Island.”
It’s important that the services be in a separate building, Nystedt said, since receiving supportive care in the same building where they were treated can be “triggering” for patients.
“So this building offers us the opportunity to provide these services away from where patients have accessed their treatment and to create that healing environment here.”
Cancer survivor Angus Matthews told the gathering he was diagnosed with throat cancer two years ago at the age of 69, and is very appreciative of the care he received.
“I became very much aware of how personal cancer is. Every cancer is your own cancer — it’s your own, personal experience.”
Matthews said his diagnosis came as a surprise.
“I didn’t smoke. I’m a very modest drinker. I lived a healthy life, I’m active,” he said. “I thought I’d done everything right, and somehow cancer found me.
“It’s astonishing that almost half of Canadians will encounter cancer during their lifetime.”
The building being funded will provide “all of the add-ons” needed by cancer patients, Matthews said.
In his case, he said he was having trouble making himself eat during treatment, and the combined efforts of a speech therapist and a nutritionist were able to address the issue and keep him out of hospital.
He urged anyone who sees the value of the project to “please do your part” and support the campaign.
Ernie Yakimovich said he and Yvonne made their gift in acknowledgement of family members and friends who have been affected by cancer over the years. “We just felt that this is a very excellent project.”
It’s important to them that the funding will go to both patient care and research, he said.
To support the campaign, go to bccancerfoundation.com/why-give/beyond-belief/vancouver-island/.
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