Vancouver-A Burnaby couple has donated $60,000 -- the proceeds from the sale of a condominium -- to the BC Cancer Foundation to support cancer research in British Columbia.

Mr. and Mrs. Raphael Wan chose to give to the BC Cancer Foundation after attending a seminar at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Vancouver. It was at that seminar that they first heard about cancer and the grip it has on British Columbia. 17,000 new cases of the disease are diagnosed each year in B.C.

"The guest speaker, a Vancouver doctor, spoke about the cancer challenges people in the Asian community face -- particularly nasal and lung cancers," said Mr. Wan. "My wife is always listening to the radio and reading the newspaper and she is very interested in the advances being made in cancer research. We just wanted to help."

Mrs. Wan is an avid media watcher and she has seen Dr. Victor Ling, vice-president of cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency, speak about research on the TV several times. "It was very exciting to meet him in person," said Mrs. Wan. "We really admire his work."

The Wans believe cancer is one of the "scariest" things people must face and they want British Columbians to have hope for the future.

"Many Asian Canadians want to help too. But sometimes they don't know where their money would help most. We would like to encourage them to consider the BC Cancer Foundation so they can help scientists unlock the mysteries of cancer."

The BC Cancer Foundation is the chief fund-raiser for the BC Cancer Agency, the organization responsible for cancer care and treatment in B.C. All funds raised by the BC Cancer Foundation remain in B.C.

The Wan's donation will be added to the Foundation's capital campaign fund -- a project to build a $100 million state-of-the-art research centre in Vancouver.

Photos of the Wans and Dr. Victor Ling are available upon request.