Cloverdale Family Donates $1 Million to New Cancer Centre

A family from Cloverdale has made a significant contribution of $1 million to the B.C. Cancer Foundation to support the development of a new cancer centre in Surrey. This facility is part of a larger hospital project located south of Highway #10, directly across from KPU-Cloverdale. The donation was announced during a reception in Vancouver on January 22, 2024.

The B.C. Cancer Foundation emphasized that this funding will “accelerate access to life-saving care, cutting-edge technology, and breakthrough research,” ensuring that more residents of British Columbia receive timely and high-quality treatment. The Benko family, represented by Shelly Appleton-Benko and Tim Benko, expressed their hope that this gift will motivate others in the community to contribute toward a future where every patient can access world-class cancer care close to home.

Shelly Appleton-Benko has served on the board of directors for the B.C. Cancer Foundation since 2022. The foundation’s press release highlighted a concerning trend: cancer diagnoses in the province are expected to increase by one-third over the next decade. “The need for expanded, innovative care has never been greater,” the release stated.

Features of the New Cancer Centre

The new cancer centre in Cloverdale is poised to become the most advanced facility of its kind in British Columbia and the second largest overall. Key features will include 54 new chemotherapy spaces, effectively more than doubling the current capacity in the Fraser region. Additionally, the centre will house advanced imaging labs, precision radiation treatment suites, and will introduce the province’s first MRI-guided brachytherapy program.

This facility will also act as a hub for clinical trials, precision oncology, and theranostics, attracting top medical professionals and fostering new discoveries that will benefit patients throughout the province. “The new B.C. Cancer Centre in Surrey will serve as a hub of innovation and excellence in care,” said Sylvie Bourque, Executive Medical Director for B.C. Cancer – Surrey. “Support from donors like the Benko family empowers our teams to deliver the best possible care and hope to our patients.”

Fundraising Goals and Future Impact

The B.C. Cancer Foundation is currently working to raise $30 million to support the establishment of the cancer centre in Cloverdale, which is scheduled to open in conjunction with the new hospital in 2030. For those wishing to learn more about the new treatment centre or to contribute, additional information is available at bccancerfoundation.com/surrey.

This generous donation from the Benko family marks a vital step toward enhancing cancer care in British Columbia, ensuring that patients can receive the treatment they need without having to travel great distances.