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British Columbia and Yukon

Ordinary cyclists climb epic heights in 9th annual Ride2Survive
June 2013 - This Saturday, June 22, 90 determined cyclists will be at the starting line of an incredible journey covering 400 kilometres and climbing 12,000 feet – all in one day. These ordinary people participating in the Ride2Survive are working together to achieve something extraordinary: to raise half a million dollars this year towards derailing cancer forever.


Canadian Cancer Society challenges British Columbians to reduce smoking rate from double to single digits in five years
June 2013 - – Today the Canadian Cancer Society BC & Yukon called on all British Columbians to bring the current smoking rate down from 14 to 9 per cent by 2018 in order to reduce tobacco-related deaths. While BC continues to lead the country with its low tobacco use rates, reduction of rates has plateaued and tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable deaths and cancer deaths in BC and Canada.


Canadian Cancer Society applauds 8,000 ‘tan-free’ students for Sun Awareness Week
June 2013 - This Sun Awareness Week, the Canadian Cancer Society is recognizing more than 8,000 students in high schools across BC who have taken the pledge to be tan-free this year. These youth are part of a movement towards owning their own skin-tone in spite of some of the social pressures to be tanned.


BC continues to have lowest cancer incidence and mortality rates in Canada
May 2013 - British Columbia continues to lead the country with its lower cancer incidence and mortality rates, according to Canadian Cancer Statistics 2013, released today by the Canadian Cancer Society in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Statistics Canada.


Canadian Cancer Society & BC Healthy Living Alliance call for further disease prevention from BC party leaders
May 2013 - The Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon and other members of the BC Healthy Living Alliance (BCHLA) are urging BC’s political party leaders to speak out further about their plans on cancer and chronic disease prevention.


Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Balls in BC raise record $2.5 million
April 2013 - The Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Ball events in BC raised an unprecedented $2.5 million thanks to the generosity of private and corporate donors as well as the Province of British Columbia.


Society celebrates its 75th Anniversary and launches annual Daffodil campaign across BC
March 2013 - During Daffodil Month, the Canadian Cancer Society is asking British Columbians to wear a daffodil pin as a symbol of support for people living with cancer and to join the fight against cancer by making a donation .


Society Invites BC Youth to Cancer Prevention Forum
March 2013 - The Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon, is calling on youth from across British Columbia between the ages of 19 and 25 to apply to attend a Youth Forum in Vancouver on May 11, 2013.


Society Celebrates Opening of Kordyban Lodge in Prince George
March 2013 - The Canadian Cancer Society BC and Yukon is celebrating the opening of the Kordyban Lodge in Prince George today. The lodge provides accommodations for cancer patients and their caregivers from Northern BC who need to travel for outpatient cancer care in Prince George.


The Canadian Cancer Society calls on BC Government to make patios, parks and playgrounds smoke-free
January 2013 - The Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon, is calling for regulations that would make outdoor patios of bars and restaurants as well as beaches, parks and playgrounds smoke-free.


Society welcomes BC colorectal cancer screening program
November 2012 - A new province-wide colorectal cancer screening program, announced today by the BC Ministry of Health, is welcome news for the Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon.


BC Government applauded for tanning legislation
October 2012 - The Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon, supports and applauds the BC Government for putting regulations in place to ban youth under 18 from using tanning beds.


Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer Vancouver 2012 attracts 1000 players and cancer fighters
October 2012 - More than 60 teams and approximately 650 players, along with hundreds of spectators, gathered in downtown Vancouver this morning to participate in the city’s inaugural Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer.


1000 Volunteers needed for Relay For Life
October 2012 - More than 1,000 volunteers across BC and Yukon are needed to help plan the Canadian Cancer Society’s 2013 Relay For Life.


It’s summer but Tanning is Out
July 2012 - Canadian Cancer Society volunteers will be on BC beaches this summer taking life-saving prevention information to people working on a dangerous tan. The Tanning is Out summer initiative is a fun, light-hearted approach with a deadly serious message.


Gruelling 400-kilometre Ride2Survive for cancer rolls this weekend
June 2012 - For eight years, about a hundred ordinary people have set aside their hobbies and sacrificed their weekends to spend half a year training for one of the toughest one-day amateur cycling events in North America—Ride2Survive. They do it to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society. So far this year the crew and riders have raised $345,000. Since its inception the ride has raised 1.9 million dollars for cancer research.


Think twice before you tan — melanoma skin cancer on the rise in Canada
June 2012 - BC is one of the healthiest provinces in Canada – in part, because of our healthy choices and active lifestyles. However the 2012 Cancer Statistics confirm that melanoma skin cancer is on the rise in Canada. This year in BC, there will be 910 new cases diagnosed and it is projected that 150 people will die of this largely preventable cancer.


Top health groups disappointed by weak pesticide report
May 2012 - BC’s top health organizations are expressing disappointment after a BC legislative committee on cosmetic pesticides released a report today calling for weak restrictions on lawn and garden pesticides.


Cancer stats best in BC but preventable cancers provide tremendous opportunity to save lives
May 2012 - The Canadian Cancer Society releases the 2012 Cancer Statistics today. While lung cancer is underlined in the Society’s national release, BC is highlighting melanoma as part of our Tanning is Out campaign.


First Time in BC: All-party support for provincial pesticide ban
April 2012 - A majority of Metro Vancouver voters of all political stripes endorse a province-wide ban on the sale and use of lawn and garden pesticides, according to a poll released today. The survey, which polled residents in the Port Moody-Coquitlam by-election area, demonstrates statistically-equivalent support for a ban – 71, 70 and 69 per cent, respectively – among NDP, Liberal and Conservative-leaning voters.


April is Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Month
March 2012 - Every three minutes, another Canadian will hear the words “you have cancer” for the first time, and the Canadian Cancer Society wants them to know that they are not alone.


The Canadian Cancer Society applauds BC Government for announcement to ban tanning beds for youth under 18
March 2012 - The Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon, applauds the announcement made today by the Honourable Health Minister, Michael de Jong, to restrict access to tanning beds for young people under the age of 18. The regulation is anticipated to take effect this fall.


Inaugural innovation grants announced for bold unorthodox research ideas
February 2012 - The Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute has awarded its inaugural Innovation Grants to support unconventional concepts, approaches or methodologies to address problems in cancer research.


Students campaign to end teen tanning
February 2012 - Secondary School students across BC are set to fight back against cancer by encouraging their classmates to forego the “Prom Tan” and instead, rock it in the skin they’re in.


Witness a real game changer: Canucks alumni team up to conquer cancer at road hockey challenge
February 2012 - Join die-hard hockey fans and cancer fighters at the launch event Friday, Feb 17, and help bring British Columbians in on the game.


Health Authorities Launch Blitz Against Toxic Lawn Products—pesticide ad campaign a first in BC history
February 2012 - Leading health organizations today launched BC’s first ever anti-pesticide advertising campaign – a major newspaper blitz that urges all British Columbians to support a lawn and garden pesticide ban.


On Weedless Wednesday British Columbians and Yukoners are invited to “break up” with tobacco for National Non-Smoking Week
January 2012 - National Non-Smoking Week - January 15-21, 2012 – which has been hosted by the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control for more than three decades, announced that its theme for 2012 is "Breaking up is hard to do." The Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon, is promoting National Non-Smoking Week by encouraging British Columbians and Yukoners to “kiss tobacco goodbye”. Like any relationship, breaking up with cigarettes can be hard to do, both physically and psychologically, but there is support if you need it. The Canadian Cancer Society wants to help smokers end their dependent relationship with tobacco.


New Poll Results Released: Canadian Cancer Society calls on BC government to protect youth by restricting indoor tanning for those under 18
January 2012 - With a new poll showing strong public support for regulations which would prohibit youth under 18 from using indoor tanning equipment, the Canadian Cancer Society is calling on the BC government to introduce legislation as soon as possible in order to protect the health of BC’s youth.


Major groups support pesticide ban
December 2011 - Twenty-two major organizations, including the Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, and the Lung Association of B.C. are releasing a statement supporting a province-wide ban on non-essential pesticides.


Thirty Communities Back BC Pesticide Ban
November 2011 - Thirty BC municipalities have passed motions supporting a province-wide ban on lawn and garden pesticides, according to a list released today by the Canadian Cancer Society.


Groups ask why risk unnecessary exposure to cosmetic pesticides when there is a threat to health?
November 2011 - A number of health and environmental groups, including the Canadian Cancer Society BC and Yukon, will make a presentation to the Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides in Vancouver on November 7th and 8th in support of the introduction of province wide legislation banning the use and sale of cosmetic pesticides.


Cops for Cancer month recognizes impact of childhood cancer and commitment of Cops for Cancer tour riders
September 2011


Cancer may have taken Jack Layton but not his optimism
August 2011 - August 22, 2011 (Vancouver) – “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of the distinguished Canadian political figure, Jack Layton. Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones,” said Barbara Kaminsky, CEO, Canadian Cancer Society BC and Yukon Division.


Milestone reached: Cancer Information Service answers one million inquiries
August 2011


Construction begins at Kordyban Lodge in Prince George
July 2011 - The ground adjacent to the University Hospital of Northern B.C. is no longer a parking lot. Today, the Canadian Cancer Society B.C. and Yukon together with local government representatives and supporters celebrated the start of construction on the Kordyban Lodge by breaking ground.


BCY names new Board Chair
June 2011 - Mrs. Lorraine Grant, a resident of Prince George, was appointed as the new Board Chair for the Canadian Cancer Society BC and Yukon at the 2011 Annual General Meeting. Grant succeeds Mr. Leonard Schein who was Chair for three years.


Northern families to benefit from new cancer lodge
May 2011 - B.C. has committed $2 million towards the $10-million capital campaign for the Kordyban Lodge to support cancer patients and their families.


Four leading BC researchers receive close to $2 million from the Canadian Cancer Society
May 2011 - Studies looking at anticancer drugs from the ocean to preventative health care among adult cancer survivors are among four research projects being funded by the Canadian Cancer Society BC and Yukon today.


Cancer Prevention gets a boost from Healthy Families BC strategy
May 2011 - The Canadian Cancer Society applauded Premier Christy Clark and Minister of Health Michael de Jong for announcing the $68.7 million Healthy Families BC strategy.


Statistics confirm BC has lowest cancer incidence and death rates in Canada again in 2011 and lowest incidence of colorectal cancer
May 2011 - The 2011 Canadian Cancer Statistics indicate that British Columbia again has the lowest incidence of cancer and lowest mortality rates in Canada, which is attributed to the healthier lifestyle of province residents and the high quality of cancer treatment.


One step closer to a smoke free BC: Government shows leadership in cancer prevention by funding smoking cessation products
May 2011 - The Canadian Cancer Society B.C. and Yukon today welcomed the provincial government's decision to fund smoking cessation products and nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) for B.C. smokers trying to quit. B.C. Premier Christy Clark announced nicotine replacement therapies will be made available to smokers at no cost and that the price of smoking cessation prescription drugs will be covered under PharmaCare as of September 30, 2011


Statement regarding cosmetic pesticide legislation: Timely and effective legislation needed
May 2011


Canadian Cancer Society partners with Province to launch nation wide daffodil campaign
April 2011 - April 1, 2011 Two out of every five Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime. One out of every four of us will die of cancer. Now you can show people fighting cancer they're not alone.


Three gifts, $4 million and naming of northern lodge kicks off Canadian Cancer Society campaign
March 2011 - Three generous donors have given a huge boost to the Canadian Cancer's Society's $10 million fundraising campaign for a lodge to help Northern BC residents facing cancer. The Kordyban and Novak families, along with West Fraser Timber, have donated a combined total of $4 million towards this goal.


New Poll Results Released: Canadian Cancer Society calls for leadership candidates to support cosmetic pesticides ban in BC
February 2011


National Non-Smoking Week
January 2011 - Canadian Cancer Society Calls on BC government to Cover Cost of Nicotine Replacement Therapies