A million dollars won’t buy you what it did in 1972, but it’s still a significant chunk of change.
Cam Thun, owner of a Prince George liquor and cannabis store, reached the million-dollar milestone this week when he and his wife, Tammy, donated $50,000 to the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation. The donation will go toward purchasing imaging equipment to detect breast cancer.
Their latest donation was celebrated Tuesday, July 8 in front of the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation’s commemorative wall on the main floor of the University Hospital of Northern BC. It marks the second time the Thuns have donated $50,000 to the foundation.
“Cameron and Tammy are the definition of quiet champions,” said Spirit of the North CEO Aimee Cassie. “Their giving has never been about headlines; it’s about heart.
“We can’t do any of the work we do without people like the Thun family, who step up and see needs in our community, then step in to start filling those needs and supporting patients and community members when they need it most. They set such a strong example for all of us to make our community a better place.”
Since 1972, the Thun family has contributed more than $1 million to various charitable causes, including the Child Development Centre, Salvation Army, University Hospital of Northern BC, BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society, BC Children’s Hospital, Prince George Multicultural Society, School District 57’s meal program and trades scholarships, as well as cash donations for individual families.
The Thuns continue a family tradition of giving established 53 years ago by Cam’s parents, Al and Polly, who owned and operated the National Hotel on First Avenue and First Litre Pub.
“We try to work with projects that will benefit the broader population of Prince George,” said Cam. “My parents always said that if you can help, you should, if you have the ability. We’ve just carried that on.”
Tammy added: “I was raised to believe that if you do well, you help your neighbour, and Cam was raised much the same way. We can give, so we do. Giving makes you feel really good.”
Cam says local businesses recognize their habit of donating to worthy causes and often show their appreciation. One example came when he walked into PG Rentals to rent a power tool and was told by the owner that he didn’t have to pay for the rental because of his past contributions to the community.
One of his most memorable moments came this year when he visited a pet groomer to have his cat’s fur shaved. The woman performing the service told Cam there was no charge.
“That one really blew me away,” he said.
“I went into Ospika Grooming to pick up the cat, and the girl comes out and says, ‘It’s on the house. My mother was dying of cancer, and you and Tammy gave her $500, which really helped her out.’”
Cam and Tammy own or are part-owners of three liquor stores and one cannabis store, and are silent partners in the Westwood Pub.
Christmas is always a tough time for people struggling to get by, and the Thuns never miss a chance to drop by Salvation Army headquarters a few weeks before the holidays, chequebook in hand, to donate to the Christmas hamper program.
“I love Prince George, I love the people,” said Cam. “I still have a hard time with winter, but we’re always going to live here, always going to have a residence here, and we’re always going to give back because we’ve had a good living off of Prince George.”
The $50,000 donation announced Tuesday will help fund the second phase of a $300,000 MRI Breast Health Imaging Program. The goal is to eliminate the need for local patients to travel outside the Northern Health region for MRI breast biopsies. Cassie hopes to have the program fully funded within the next four months.
