Vancouver-Vancouver entrepreneur Firoz Rasul and his wife Dr. Saida Rasul have donated $1 million to the BC Cancer Foundation's Millennium Campaign. The Foundation is raising $100 million to build a new state-of-the-art cancer research centre.

Mr. Rasul, chairman and CEO of Ballard Power Systems, and Dr. Rasul, a dentist and community leader, said they chose the BC Cancer Foundation as beneficiary for a few reasons.

"On a personal level our faith of Islam teaches us the values of caring, sharing, giving and looking after the sick and poor," said Mr. Rasul, who is also the president of the Ismaili Council for Canada.

"Saida and I are both business people" he continued. "We always ask ourselves 'will this organization make a difference?' The answer in the case of the BC Cancer Foundation is definitely yes."

The Genome Sequence Centre (GSC), temporarily housed at the Vancouver Cancer Centre (VCC), is of particular interest to the Rasuls. The GSC is the only gene science lab in Canada dedicated to cancer research and is lead by Nobel laureate Dr. Michael Smith (Chemistry, 1993). Understanding gene science will be the foundation upon which new research strategies and programs will be built.

"There is such clear sense of purpose at the Genome Sequence Centre," said Dr. Rasul. "It's so exciting to think that B.C. researchers are working to find the causes of cancer, so we can prevent the disease, not just treat it."

BC Cancer Agency researchers are making quantum leaps in understanding, diagnosing, treating and curing cancer, but they need new facilities in order to advance their research. At present, scientists in seven labs are working out of the Cancer Research Centre, a converted bakery across the street from the VCC. Bakers' yeast embedded in the walls is impeding some research endeavors and prevents the GSC from moving there.

"When we first decided to support the building of a new world-class cancer research centre, we had a much lower amount in mind," chuckled Mr. Rasul. "But when we saw the vision, the passion and the world-class team assembled by Dr. Michael Smith, we soon changed our minds."

The Rasuls say the "bench to bedside" approach of the Cancer Research Centre and BC Cancer Agency is what won them over.

"Scientists and doctors are working together on leading-edge projects that are innovative and world renowned," said Mr. Rasul. "Researchers are poised to make major breakthroughs and doctors are providing the most comprehensive care in the world. It's a unique system."

The Rasuls also believe that a new cancer research centre will have major economic benefits for Vancouver, British Columbia, and Canada. "We were looking for something different and we found it. We both agree that The Cancer Research Centre and BC Cancer Agency can't help but be successful," Mr. Rasul continued.

Dr. Rasul commented on their donation by simply saying, "it's not the dollar amount that counts when you give. Every bit helps. The ability to give is a blessing that brings great joy."

In accepting the Rasuls' most generous gift, BC Cancer Foundation Chair Jane Hungerford said "we thank you for helping us unlock the mystery of cancer and for believing, as we do, that one day our children and grandchildren will live in a world without the fear of cancer."

For more information contact Mary McNeil, president and CEO, BC Cancer Foundation (604) 877-6040