'Cutting-edge treatment': $155K donation to support clinical trials at Prince George’s BC Cancer Centre

The Prince George Community Foundation (PGCF) has made its largest donation to date in honour of its 25th anniversary which will support clinical trials in precision radiation therapy.

PGCF and Rio Tinto announced this week a joint $155,000 donation to BC Cancer Centre for the North in Prince George to honour the milestone.

In a release today (March 11), Radiation oncologist Dr. Robert Olson and his team are set to utilize these funds to help support research and clinical trials in precision radiation therapy.

"More than half of British Columbians diagnosed with cancer will receive radiation therapy as part of their treatment," he said.

"This generous gift helps ensure we can deliver the best care to people facing cancer in our community and lead to better outcomes for patients."

Precision radiation has significant potential to minimize side effects and improve patient outcomes.

This program is set to further establish BC Cancer – Prince George as a world leader in radiation therapy.  

"Rio Tinto is proud to be part of a project that will make a difference for the health and wellbeing of our employees, contractors, Indigenous communities and residents across the northwest.” said Rio Tinto BC Works General Manager Affonso Bizon.

“The precision radiation program will support efforts to increase research capacity and academic output in the north and establish the Prince George cancer clinic as a hub of innovation in cancer treatment and care. Our contribution to this medical research and precision radiation therapy will allow our community residents to be treated closer to home using the latest technology.”

The program will provide another opportunity for BC Cancer to play an active role in improving access to cancer care for northern residents.

The creation of a robust research program will test the ability of precision research therapy to extend survival and increase cure rates in patients with metastatic cancer. 

“Thanks to the Prince George Community Foundation’s and Rio Tinto’s extraordinary donation towards precision radiation, patients undergoing cancer care in the north will have access to cutting-edge new treatments close to home,” says Sarah Roth, President and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation.

Over the past 25 years, the PGCF has given back more than $3.3 million to the community by supporting numerous causes and projects championed by locally-registered charities.