Looking back on 2011, the BC Generations Project has a lot to celebrate! We recruited 10,000 new participants, primarily through temporary assessment centres in Kelowna, Prince George, Coquitlam and Victoria. A huge THANK YOU to the BC Cancer Foundation for its generous support of our community outreach initiative!
Most recently, our recruitment drive in the Victoria region attracted 2,296 new participants who visited our assessment centre or completed at-home questionnaires. We have lots more planned for the New Year… so stay tuned!
The BC Cancer Agency is sending out a big thank you this week to acknowledge local residents who have enthusiastically offered 40 minutes of their time to help prevent cancer for future generations.
More than 1,100 participants visited the BC Generations Project’s Coquitlam assessment centre between August 16 and September 20, easily surpassing its recruitment goal.
The BC Generations Project is part of Canada’s largest-ever health research study. The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, launched the project in 2009 to explore how genetics, environment, lifestyle, and behaviour contribute to our risk of developing cancer, as well as other chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Any British Columbia resident aged 35 to 69 is eligible to join the project.
The Coquitlam centre saw participants from across the region; most came from Coquitlam, Burnaby, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, New Westminster, and Maple Ridge.
Burnaby resident Ann Roberts received her invitation to join the study by mail and didn’t hesitate to sign up. “It’s an easy thing to do, and it’s a nice thought that this information might one day help someone else,” she notes.
“Everywhere we go, we are struck by people’s support and their enthusiasm to participate,” confirms Marilyn Borugian, PhD, Director, BC Generations Project, BC Cancer Agency. “So many people have been touched by cancer—I think the prospect of one day being able to actually help prevent cancer and other chronic diseases is very motivating for people.”
She continues, “I can’t thank residents enough for their overwhelming support of this important study. In addition to the 1,116 who visited the clinic in person, our recruitment drive prompted another 300 people in the area to join the study by requesting a questionnaire to complete at home. We exceeded our goal of recruiting 1,000 people.”
While the Coquitlam centre is now closed, it’s not too late for residents to take part in this landmark study. Contact the BC Generations Project to request a study package.by calling 604-675-8221or visiting www.bcgenerationsproject.ca.
Funded primarily through the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, the BC Generations Project is a participating study of the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project, which consists of a further four regional studies across Canada. It aims to collect health information, along with blood and urine samples, of up to 40,000 British Columbians and 300,000 Canadians overall. To date, the BC Generations Project has recruited more than 14,000 participants.
The BC Generations Project’s Coquitlam assessment centre was made possible with additional funding from the BC Cancer Foundation.
Our temporary assessment centre at Burquitlam Plaza opened on August 16 and so far residents have been keen to participate. The location is very convenient – with free parking, a lab around the corner, and a Safeway nearby.
Opening day festivities included Principal Investigator Dr. John Spinelli, Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Douglas Horne, Project Director Dr. Marilyn Borugian, Burnaby-Lougheed MLA Harry Bloy, Coquitlam-Maillardville MLA Diane Thorne, BC Cancer Foundation CEO Doug Nelson, Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Iain Black and study participant Paul McDonald.
We are booking appointments for these optional assessments – including bone density, blood pressure and body mass index measurements – through mid-September only. Don’t miss out! We have appointments available Mondays thru Saturdays, including evening appointments until 7:30 pm on some days. For an appointment, call 604-675-8221 or sign up at Join BC Generations Project.
So far, almost 500 participants have booked appointments at the Burquitlam centre – located at 526 Clarke Road, Coquitlam. We are hoping to sign up more than 1,000 new participants at this location.
Did you see our recent news coverage? We were featured on Global TV News on July 27! If you saw the story and now want to join the project, here’s a quick sign-up link: Join BC Generations Project.
We are thrilled with the coverage. This story is a great way for people to learn about the project – be sure to tell your friends, too – help us grow our participant numbers!
Why did you participate in the BC Generations Project?
I chose to take part in the BC Generations project to show my appreciation for the professional and compassionate care I received throughout my cancer journey and also with the hope that by my contribution to research someone else might be spared the trauma of this disease.
I wouldn’t want anyone else have to go through surgery and treatments if a simple test or visit to the doctor can prevent it.
In the last few years, have you made any changes to your lifestyle in the interest of cancer prevention?
Not really, except that I constantly battle my tendency to be overweight. I’ve had to make major changes in food choices because of the damaging effects of treatments (chemo and radiation). I am much more sensitive to subtle changes in my body – this prompts me to be more proactive in seeing my doctor.
Would you recommend participation in the BC Generations Project to others? If so, why?
Yes, I certainly would. As a survivor I feel it is close to a duty to my fellow human beings to help them be aware of the disease but also of any possible alternatives to getting it. I chose the message of testing and, hopefully, preventing colorectal cancer as a topic for one of my Toastmasters presentations. I was delighted to learn that two of our members made appointments with their doctors and were tested.
What do you feel you got out of participating in the project?
A renewed sense of appreciation for the excellent care and compassionate support I received from medical staff, doctors and support staff.
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To participate in the BC Generations Project, please sign up today.
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