David Black donates $500,000 to BC Cancer Foundation's Inspire the World Capital Campaign
David Black, President and CEO of Black Press.
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Updated: November 30, 2009 7:35 AM
The BC Cancer Foundation has received a $500,000 donation from David Black, one of the Vice-Chairs of the Inspire the World capital campaign. The $10 million campaign will fund a 10,000 square foot construction and renovation to create a state-of-the-art patient and family support centre, a predictive cancer research centre and a radiation innovation wing at the BC Cancer Agency's Vancouver Island Centre.
Black, President and CEO of Black Press, lost his wife Annabeth to pancreatic cancer three years ago and knows first hand how difficult a terminal cancer diagnosis can be for both patient and family. "It would have been helpful to have a mentor talk with us about the journey," he said. "Doctors have a limited amount of time for each of their many patients and there are a multitude of things to discuss and think about. We tried to remain positive throughout so we didn't talk about death at all. Now I wish we had. I would like to have heard my wife's thoughts and had her counsel. Perhaps a mentor would have encouraged us to have such a discussion."
"Over 4,000 people are diagnosed with cancer on Vancouver Island each year, explained Dr. Peter Watson, Chief Physician of the BC Cancer Agency's Vancouver Island Centre. "Patients consistently tell us they are very satisfied with the medical care they receive. However, patients and their families are also expressing a great need for improved psychological before, during and after treatment."
Black hopes his personal contribution of $500,000 will motivate others in the community to give. "Cancer impacts everyone. Vancouver Islanders need to help the BC Cancer Agency better support patients and their families, and continue to advance cancer research discoveries."
To learn more about the Inspire the World campaign, or to make a donation, please visit www.inspiretheworld.ca or call the BC Cancer Foundation at 250-382-4470.
