By Catherine Hansen

BC Cancer Centre for the North Fundraising for Clinical Trials

Nov 27, 2018 | 4:00 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The BC Cancer Centre for the North is looking to position itself as a global leader in radiation therapy. A pair of trials are planned within the next nine months with the hopes of helping patients with cancer that is spreading or metastasizing. Over the past ten years cancer research and treatment has evolved so much with the use of imagery and immobilization, that precision treatment is a reality,  and it holds the potential to minimize side effects and improve patient outcomes.

Without a drug company to fund the precision radiation trials,  the Centre for the North is relying on the public and philanthropy to fund the trials with money raised through the BC Cancer Foundation.  A total of 1.75 million dollars is needed to help with staffing and infrastructure costs.

“We cant actually raise money through drug companies,  drug companies aren’t interested in paying for radiation because radiation comes from electrons that come from electricity.  It’s a free technique that doesn’t financially help our companies out it just helps our patients, so we actually need our patients to help raise the money,” said Dr Robert Olson, radiation oncologist for the BC Cancer Centre for the North.

One million dollars is earmarked to upgrade and customize the current radiation machines in the Centre for the North, and the additional 750 thousand will go toward research and coordination of the trials.  Staff are working to pursue grants and funding opportunities worldwide.  The goal is to get the trials underway by April of 2019.