Cloverdale Family Donates $1 Million to Transform Cancer Care in Surrey

A family from Cloverdale has made a significant contribution to cancer care in British Columbia by donating $1 million to the B.C. Cancer Foundation. This generous gift will support the development of the new B.C. Cancer Centre in Surrey, which is part of a larger hospital project situated south of Highway #10, opposite the KPU-Cloverdale campus. The donation was announced during a reception held in Vancouver on January 22, 2024.

The B.C. Cancer Foundation highlighted that this funding will enhance access to critical services such as life-saving care, advanced technology, and innovative research. This initiative aims to ensure that more residents of British Columbia receive timely and high-quality treatment. In a joint statement, Shelly Appleton-Benko and Tim Benko, members of the donating family, expressed their commitment to supporting those in need. “We hope this gift inspires our community to join us in building a future where every patient has access to world-class treatment, close to home,” they stated.

Appleton-Benko has served on the board of directors for the B.C. Cancer Foundation since 2022. The foundation has reported that cancer diagnoses are expected to increase by nearly a third over the next decade, underscoring the urgent need for expanded and innovative care.

Features of the New Cancer Centre

The upcoming B.C. Cancer Centre in Cloverdale is projected to be the most advanced facility of its kind in British Columbia and the second largest overall. Key features of the centre include 54 new chemotherapy spaces, which will more than double the current capacity in the Fraser region. Additionally, it will house advanced imaging laboratories, precision radiation treatment suites, and the province’s first MRI-guided brachytherapy program.

This centre will also act as a hub for clinical trials, precision oncology, and theranostics, attracting leading experts and facilitating groundbreaking research that aims to benefit patients throughout the province.

“The new B.C. Cancer Centre in Surrey will serve as a hub of innovation and excellence in care,” remarked 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.”

The B.C. Cancer Foundation is currently engaged in a fundraising campaign with a goal of $30 million to support the Cloverdale cancer centre. The facility is set to open in conjunction with the new hospital in 2030.

For more information about the new treatment centre in Cloverdale or to make a donation, visit bccancerfoundation.com/surrey.