Tiny Cyclist Takes on Huge Challenge for Cancer Research


Ella Latoski with her father Darren

Last year, Darren Latoski was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a deadly and often underfunded disease. While receiving treatment at the BC Cancer Agency, Darren was instrumental in helping to raise a record-breaking $400,000 for the Glotman Simpson Cypress Challenge, a cycling event that sees riders climb to the top of Cypress Mountain to benefit pancreatic cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency. Sadly, Darren passed away shortly after the 2013 event, at the age of 44.

Though just nine years old, Darren’s daughter Ella has decided to take on the Challenge this year in honour of her father. With the help of her older sister, Kate, younger brother, Noah, and mother, Cyndi, Ella is determined to raise as much funding as possible for pancreatic cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency.

Ella’s efforts have created quite a stir within the community, she has raised almost $20,000 in just one week! The BC Cancer Foundation is so inspired by Ella’s determination that we wanted to share her incredible story and give you the opportunity to help this tiny cyclist make an even bigger impact.

Visit Ella’s Cypress Challenge page today and show your support.

This year, 600 people in B.C. will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, with most not surviving beyond the first year. The Glotman Simpson Cypress Challenge is a 5 km untimed or 14 km timed race to the top of Cypress Mountain taking place on August 16, 2014.

Learn more or register for the Cypress Challenge.

Spotlight on Funding Priorities: World-Leading Immunotherapy Research at the BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Island Centre


Dr. Brad Nelson, Director, Deeley Research Centre

The BC Cancer Foundation is proud to fund several research priorities over the next year. As the first in a series of articles, this spotlight on immunotherapy research will give you a more in depth look at what donor dollars are funding.

The BC Cancer Agency’s Deeley Research Centre (DRC) in Victoria is one of the first sites in the world to pioneer an immunotherapy research program that uses genomic approaches to generate more precise and potent immune responses against cancer.

The goal of immunotherapy is to enhance the immune response to cancer using vaccines or T cell infusions that help the immune system recognize mutations and other features of the tumour genome. Successful immunotherapy rids the body of residual cancer cells that may have escaped standard treatments, thereby protecting the patient from cancer recurrence.

The major challenge has always been that each patient has a unique set of mutations, making it impossible to design a one-size-fits-all immunotherapy approach. However, in the past five years, the BC Cancer Agency’s Genome Sciences Centre has rapidly become a world leader in the use of DNA sequencing to identify mutations in human cancer. This places the BC Cancer Agency in a unique position to develop a genomics-driven cancer immunotherapy program.

The result is new and improved strategies for the treatment of a wide spectrum of cancers, extending the lives of patients across the province.

Learn more about immunotherapy here.

Fashion Event of the Season Benefits BC Cancer Foundation!

On September 10th models sporting top 2014 fall and winter fashions will strut down the catwalk for the inaugural Hope Couture fashion show. Vancouver boutique retailers Bacci's and Boboli will present fashions from the collections of Lanvin, Céline, Chloé, Etro, Valentino and Stella McCartney.

Funds raised at Hope Couture will support the acquisition of a state-of-the-art VERO machine at the BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Centre. This equipment will be one of the first of its kind in Canada, changing the status quo for radiation therapy and improving the lives of those British Columbians affected by hard-to-treat cancers.

The luncheon event will take place in the elegant Star Sapphire Room of the Fairmont Pacific Rim and is sure to set the scene for the next season of haute couture in Vancouver.

Learn more about Hope Couture or purchase tickets here.

Heroes from around the Province Rally Together to Support Life-Saving Research

For the second year in a row, Concrete Hero will see hundreds of British Columbians take on the challenge of a fun urban obstacle course in support of leading-edge cancer research and enhancements to patient care in B.C.

As a unique fundraising initiative and obstacle challenge, Concrete Hero incorporates a mix of British Columbia’s iconic landmarks as obstacles along the route. Participants will test their endurance climbing over parked cars in the “Lions Gate Lockdown”, traversing the muddy waters of “Lost Lagoon” and scaling a mock mountain called “The Chief.”

The potential for Concrete Hero dollars to change the cancer landscape in B.C. and beyond is limitless. Last year the inaugural Concrete Hero raised over $400,000 to power new discoveries forward at the BC Cancer Agency. All proceeds go directly to fund projects with the most promise to make significant advancements in cancer prevention, early detection technology, and new treatment options.

Learn more about Concrete Hero or register here.