Premier Gordon Campbell, and the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, today joined BC Cancer Agency and Foundation officials and donors to open the doors to one of Canada's largest free standing cancer research centres. The BC Cancer Research building will provide a new home for eight of the BC Cancer Agency's research departments, including the Agency's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, renowned for being the first in the world to sequence the SARS virus.

"The BC Cancer Agency and Foundation have placed B.C. at the forefront of cancer research and treatment, and this exceptional facility will only build on that remarkable legacy," Premier Campbell said. "British Columbians can be proud of the work that is done here - work that will quite literally save lives by advancing our understanding of cancer and creating new possibilities for better treatment and a cure."

BC Cancer Agency - already an acknowledged world leader in cancer research and with the best patient outcomes in Canada – will now be home to a state-of-the-art translational research centre, drawing leading clinicians and scientists from around the globe.

"The Government of Canada believes research is crucial to our economic and social wellbeing and we are proud to be a part of this success today. I congratulate the BC Cancer Foundation and the BC Cancer Agency on their tremendous achievements," said Minister Emerson.  "Canadians everywhere can be proud of the new BC Cancer Research Centre. This new world-class centre will build on the BC Cancer Agency's reputation. It is an internationally renowned research institute second-to-none, and will attract the world's best cancer experts to Canada."

The new building provides a unique opportunity to increase the number of clinical and basic research teams brought together to address key issues in cancer control. Capacity will increase from the 318 researchers in the former research centre, housed for the past  26 years in an outdated bakery across from the BC Cancer Agency's Vancouver Centre on West Tenth Avenue, to up to 600 scientific and medical personnel.

The building, designed to encourage collaboration between scientists and clinicians, was funded by donations to the BC Cancer Foundation and contributions from the federal and provincial governments. The federal contribution came in the form of $27.8 million through the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The provincial Knowledge Development Fund of B.C. also contributed $27.8 million.

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Mary McNeil, president and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation said, "We simply could not have created this amazing facility that serves as a beacon of hope for cancer patients everywhere, without the many donors to the BC Cancer Foundation, the project team who brought the building in well under budget, and the support of government. To quote the late Dr. Michael Smith whose dream this was, 'two simple words - thank you.'"

Already a dramatic landmark against the Vancouver skyline, the 15 story building features a DNA double helix stairway, and large round windows reminiscent of Petri dishes. Eight foot high interstitial floors allow efficient movement of technical equipment as research needs change, saving future time and costs.

A connecting bridge planned between the research centre and the Agency's Vancouver treatment centre across West Tenth Avenue, will ease collaboration between the clinicians and scientists, an important component of the BC Cancer Agency's focus on translating research quickly from the researcher's bench to the patient's bedside.

Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, president of the BC Cancer Agency said, "This new building represents the BC Cancer Agency's strong commitment to improving patient care and treatment through translational research. My hope is that both buildings will be seen as one common space where multidisciplinary teams of clinicians and scientists can collaborate to address important cancer control questions."

 "The new BC Cancer Research Centre is a concrete example that if we all work together—scientists, physicians, community, universities and governments - we can  achieve far beyond what we could imagine," said Dr. Victor Ling, vice president of research at the BC Cancer Agency, who will head up the new centre. "The challenge before us is to sustain this momentum for the benefit of all cancer patients and their families. Many, many thanks to all of you who have contributed your money, expertise, goodwill, blood, sweat and tears to making this new research facility a reality. We won't let you down."

For Rosey Brenan, a cancer survivor from Salt Spring Island, the benefits of research are very real.  "Cancer research gave me my life back," she said. "All I have to do is swallow a few pills each day, and I'm ok. This new building truly is a symbol of hope for people like me, and our families and friends."

The BC Cancer Foundation is an independent charitable organization that raises funds to support research and care at the BC Cancer Agency and is the largest funder of cancer research in British Columbia.  The BC Cancer Agency, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care.

For more information, please contact:

Penny Noble, BC Cancer Foundation - 604.707.5902