THE TEAM
WOMEN GOING BEYOND is a partnership between the Foundation and our team of campaign champions, Charlotte Salomon, Ann Squires Ferguson, Devon Grewal and Jessica O’Brien Cameron.
It’s a team driven to go beyond belief, and beyond barriers, for every single British Columbian.
Vancouver Island women have a history of resilience, strength and empowerment. Now, we’re going to do it again and help build a world free from cancer.
About Charlotte Salomon, KC
Principal with the law firm, McConnan Bion O’Connor & Peterson, specializing in the areas of wills, estate administration, and personal injury litigation; mother of two daughters; community champion. Charlotte is a philanthropic leader in Victoria and lends her voice to inspire others to step up and become generous supporters in making our communities healthier and stronger.
Until April 30, Charlotte has pledged to match donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000, with a charitable gift from the Salomon Robinson Family Foundation!
CONNECTING TO THE CAUSE: IN HER OWN WORDS
I’ve seen the devastating impact ovarian cancer can have for families. In the clinic, I’m treating mothers first, followed by their daughters. This must change I don’t want to be treating granddaughters next. We must do more to prevent ovarian cancer and help women across generations.
About Ann Squires Ferguson
Ann Squires Ferguson was fortunate to catch her ovarian cancer early. And, thanks to treatment at BC Cancer — Victoria, she’s overcome the odds and is one of the only half of women who survive the disease within five years of diagnosis. It’s up to all of us all, she says, to fuel research in B.C. to improve outcomes in the deadliest gynecological cancer. Read more about Ann and her fundraising efforts to improve ovarian cancer outcomes.
Photo by Krystle Schofield.
CONNECTING TO THE CAUSE: IN HER OWN WORDS
I’m the healthiest cancer patient I know! When I was diagnosed, I was running full tilt, literally and figuratively, and then ovarian cancer stopped me in my tracks. Campaigns like this one funded research into early detection and treatment options, and are the reason why my kids still have their mom; why my studio team still have me as their leader. I am eternally grateful to BC Cancer for the care I received and believe we all have a responsibility to pay it forward. Thus, it’s my driving force to change the story for the next women who are diagnosed after me.
About Devon Grewal
Special Education leader, BC Cancer Foundation Advisory Council member, mother of two teenagers, hands-on philanthropist. Devon spearheaded the Vancouver Island Women’s Cancer Campaign in 2021, along with BC Cancer Foundation Board member Jessica O’Brien Cameron, to raise awareness about the cancers nobody was talking about in public; women’s cancers. Today, some of the most exciting breakthroughs in cancer care are through women’s cancer research.
CONNECTING TO THE CAUSE: IN HER OWN WORDS
Some Women’s cancers are not always easy to talk about. Culturally, they are often silently fought by those going through treatment and care. I want to bring awareness and support research for women’s cancers for this very reason. Having come from a line of strong women, I know, when women unite, we become powerful, and, together, we can increase awareness for women’s cancers that are not normally discussed openly, and raise money for women’s cancer research and trials that may bring hope for women going through treatment or better yet, a cure.
About Jessica O'Brien Cameron
Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Manager with CIBC Wood Gundy, mother of two, BC Cancer Foundation Board member, and community champion. Identifying an opportunity to empower women and create change, Jessica spearheaded the Vancouver Island Women’s Cancer Campaign in 2021, along with BCCF Advisory Council member, Devon Grewal.
CONNECTING TO THE CAUSE: IN HER OWN WORDS
This campaign is near and dear to my heart as my Mom is a breast cancer survivor. This campaign gives me hope; hope for the future generations and hope for my daughter that a diagnosis of cancer will not be so scary.
About Helen Edwards
A prominent figure in the Victoria community, Helen can be found wearing many different hats. As part-owner of the Victoria Harbour Cats baseball team, Helen can be found in the front row seats at the stadium during baseball season. As an author you will also find her at local book signing events, or you will run into her at heritage society and genealogy conferences - her other passions. The hat that brings her the most joy, however, is that of a philanthropist. Having lost many family members to cancer, Helen is generously matching donations up to $50,000 to support ground-breaking research that will lead to better outcomes for people diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancer.
CONNECTING TO THE CAUSE: IN HER OWN WORDS
I have a personal connection to cancer research as I lost both of my grandmothers to the disease. This experience has motivated me to actively support cancer research, in hopes that future generations will not have to suffer the same losses that I did.