Thirteen years ago, when it was discovered Mary Kordyban's husband Bill had liver cancer and needed immediate treatment, there was no choice but to seek medical help outside of Prince George.
At that time, the closest cancer centre in the province was in Vancouver. Instead, Bill made the choice to travel to the Leonardis Clinic in Germany to try to cure the disease. But his cancer was too aggressive, too far advanced, and in February 2000 the man who brought Carrier Lumber to the city six decades ago died, just 2 1/2 months after he was diagnosed.
For Kordyban, Bill's death led her to think about how she could make a difference in the lives of cancer sufferers, so in 2007, she started the Mary Kordyban Foundation. When it was announced in 2008 the BC Cancer Agency for the North would be built in Prince George, that created the need for an adjacent lodge to provide temporary affordable housing to cancer patients and their families while undergoing treatments.
She stepped forward with a $2 million donation.
"It's a desire that I wanted to help people in the North to ease the difficulties they have in getting cancer care closer to home," said Kordyban.
"I wanted it be in the North because that's where my husband spent all his energy and his life. I hope it will serve a lot of people and I hope people will be happy. A lot of people were touched, knowing we're going to have a lodge here, and so many are just waiting for this to open.
"The lodge will be a home away from home for people, closer to family and closer to familiar surroundings. They will be much happier and probably will recover more quickly. It makes it so comforting to know that it's something the people really need. "
The community has raised more than $10 million so far to build the 25,000 square-foot lodge and the province has kicked in another $2 million. The Novak family, which owns Dunkley Lumber, and West Fraser Timber each contributed $1 million, while Northland Auto Group gave $300,000. Canfor, Telus, Sinclair Forest Products and the three Prince George Rotary clubs have also donated to the lodge. Donors paid $50,000 to sponsor each of the 18 guest rooms, which will be named after the sponsors. There is enough to pay for the building and leave $2 million in reserve for lodge enhancements.
"We had a fundraising committee and it's amazing how it came together, we raised the money we needed in such a short time," said Kordyban. "One nice thing about it is the money that goes to the Kordyban Lodge stays in Prince George."
Each year, more than 1,200 northern B.C. residents stay in existing Canadian Cancer Society lodges in Kelowna, Victoria and Vancouver. That travel is necessary because only the cancer centres offer ionizing radiation therapy, which kills malignant cancer cells. Starting late this year, radiation will be offered in Prince George.
The 36-bed Kordyban Lodge will provide full meal services, as well as a massage therapy room, library, restaurant, chapel, activity area, and an exercise room, and it will give patients access to wigs and prosthetics. Each room has two beds, designed for one adult cancer patient and a caregiver. If there's enough room, additional family members will be able to stay overnight. The lodge is not designed for children. Kids will continue to be sent to BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver for treatment.
To keep the costs down for patients, the Provincial Health Services Authority will fund a portion of the daily operations and the province will also provide a subsidy. Rooms will cost $43 per night for cancer patients, $55 for caregivers.
Scheduled for completion in December, the Kordyban Lodge on Alward Street has been taking shape since last July and Kordyban is showing keen interest in the project. She visits the site at least once every week to check on the building's progress.
"I don't know why but it gives me such great comfort to know there will be care for people living in the areas surrounding Prince George and that makes me so happy," she said.
"This lodge wouldn't be what it is today without the significant contributions and generosity of so many companies, businesses, government matching, private and personal donations and community support. I think the community and the people will be very proud of it."
