A unique collaboration between cancer agencies is aiming to save lives in Northern B.C.
The Canadian Cancer Society's B.C./Yukon (CCS) chapter and the province's Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) chapter have done what few in their field do, they told a Prince George audience Monday: throw their resources together on a major
project.
The project is a $1.5 million investment in this region's breast cancer community. Rather than doing redundant fundraising, they decided, they opted to join forces for this major upgrade in northern B.C.'s breast cancer strategy.
"We're showing the rest of the country how to collaborate," said Barbara Kaminsky, the CEO of the CCS.
"You may not realize how unusual it is for two entities like ours to work together, but it makes a whole lot of sense," said Joan Chambers of the CBCF. "Some say it is inventive and groundbreaking, but competing with each other is not going to get us there. We need all hands on deck."
The two groups have collaborated somewhat in the past, they said, but this is the first time the collaboration has been so dedicated to a major fundraising and distribution campaign and the first time with a focus on northern B.C.
The two groups share the goal of curtailing breast cancer by 2020.
Both groups agreed that northern B.C. had not been as deeply resourced as other areas of the province, but dominos like a cancer treatment centre, an adjacent residential lodge, various UNBC research, hospital upgrades and other complimentary initiatives were conspiring to make this $1.5 million campaign the correct fit for right now.
They are agreed that the three areas of focus would be research, prevention and patient/survivor support.
A recent study of northern B.C.'s breast cancer realities was completed by Dr. Robert Olson. The CCS/CBCF collaboration will be looking at that data, along with exhaustive dialogue among stakeholders across the north, to inform their decision about where the money should be spent. So far, they said, no money had been earmarked yet.
