Project participant LaDonna Fehr (at left) gets her blood pressure measured by June Song, research project assistant with BC Generation Project. LaDonna is the Director of Clinical Operations - Systemic Therapy for the new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North currently under construction in Prince George.
Prince George, B.C. – Prince George is now home to a BC Cancer Agency’s BC Generations Project clinic. It opened its doors this morning and is open to anyone aged 35 – 69 who would like to take part in this study.
This is the largest cancer prevention study in Canadian History and will look at how factors such as genetics, environment, lifestyle and behaviour contrtibute to the risk of developing cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
BC Generations Project principal investigator John Spinelli says every participant’s anonymous information will contribute to cancer studies for decades to come. ”You have the opportunity to reduce the occurrence of cancer and chronic diseases in the future. All that’s required is that you are between 35 and 69 years old and live in B.C.,” he says. “It’s a huge opportunity for our generation to do something for future generations.”
The study aims to collect health information, along with blood and urine samples, of 40,000 British Columbians, as part of a national study called the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project that is recruiting 300,000 Canadians from five provinces.
“Most everyone has been impacted by cancer, whether themselves, their family, or a friend,” says LaDonna Fehr, director of clinical operations-systemic therapy, BC Cancer Agency’s Centre for the North, and Prince George resident.
“Working with cancer patients over the years, I have watched as they and their family members anguish with feelings of powerlessness in the face of a cancer diagnosis. The BC Generations Project assessment clinic provides every Prince George resident with the opportunity to take an active role in helping researchers better understand the lifestyle and genetic factors linked to cancer and chronic disease. This study is significant for the future health of our community. I encourage you to learn more about how you can take part while the assessment clinic is in town.”
Northerners can participate in the study through a mail-in survey, or, for residents living in or close to Prince George, the assessment clinic will run from June 7 to July 9. The temporary clinic is located at 1777 Third Ave, Suite 300.
You can find more information on the project by visiting bcgenerationsproject@bccrc.ca or www.bcgenerationsproject.ca
Prince George – The BC Cancer Agency’s BC Generations Project provides Northern BC residents, aged 35 to 69, with the opportunity to contribute to the health of future British Columbians. You can do so by taking part in the largest cancer prevention study in Canadian history.
The BC Generations Project is part of the largest health study of its kind in Canada, exploring how genetics, environment, lifestyle and behaviour contribute to our risk of developing cancer, as well as other chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
BC Cancer Agency’s distinguished scientist and BC Generations Project principal investigator John Spinelli explains that every participant’s anonymous information will contribute to cancer studies for decades to come.
“You have the opportunity to reduce the occurrence of cancer and chronic diseases in the future. All that’s required is that you are between 35 and 69 years old and live in B.C.,” he says. “It’s a huge opportunity for our generation to do something for future generations.”
The study aims to collect health information, along with blood and urine samples, of 40,000 British Columbians, as part of a national study called the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project that is recruiting 300,000 Canadians from five provinces.
“Most everyone has been impacted by cancer, whether themselves, their family, or a friend,” says LaDonna Fehr, director of clinical operations-systemic therapy, BC Cancer Agency’s Centre for the North, and first study participant at the Prince George clinic.
“Working with cancer patients over the years, I have watched as they and their family members anguish with feelings of powerlessness in the face of a cancer diagnosis. The BC Generations Project provides every Northern resident with the opportunity to take an active role in helping researchers better understand the lifestyle and genetic factors linked to cancer and chronic disease. This study is significant for the future health of our community. I encourage you to learn more about how you can take part while the assessment clinic is in town.”
Northerners can participate in the study through a mail-in survey, or, for residents living in or close to Prince George an assessment clinic will run from June 7 to July 9. This temporary clinic is being generously funded through the BC Cancer Foundation and is located at 1777 Third Ave, Suite 300, in Prince George.
For more information about the study and how to get involved, please contact:
604-675-8221
Toll Free 1-877-675-8221
bcgenerationsproject@bccrc.ca
www.bcgenerationsproject.ca
© 2011 Dawson Creek Daily News
We checked in with Dallas Hinton, and asked him why he volunteered to participate in the BC Generations Project. Dallas is 65 years old, from Vancouver, B.C., and has had his life touched by cancer.
Why did you participate in the BC Generations Project?
Our daughter, and only child, had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), which is a form of leukemia or cancer of the white blood cells, at age 3, and thanks to the care at BC Children’s Hospital and the work of the various cancer organizations, she made a full recovery. She’s mentally challenged and can’t pay forward, so I’m doing it for her.
In addition, I was curious as to how my health compared to others.
In the last few years, have you made any changes to your lifestyle in the interest of cancer prevention?
Not particularly. I try to eat in healthy ways, and I am trying to lose weight, but that’s been a lifetime battle!
Would you recommend or have you recommended participating in the BC Generations Project to others?
Absolutely! I’ve told a number of people, at least one of whom I believe has participated.
What do you feel you got out of participating in the project?
As I mentioned, the satisfaction of paying forward a little of our debt, and helping to improve our ability to defeat cancer and protect our future generations.
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Do you have a story to tell? We’d love to feature you on our blog. Please leave a comment below and we’ll be in touch!
To participate in the BC Generations Project, please sign up today.
For more information, please check out our FAQs page.
We caught up with project participant, Connie Davis, about why she chose to participate in BC’s landmark cancer prevention study. Connie is a nurse practitioner in her 50s from Hope, B.C. Here’s what she had to say:
Why did you participate in the BC Generations Project?
I participated in the BC Generations Project for several reasons. First off, I’m a nurse practitioner and it’s important to me to have good information to share with the patients I serve. The results of the BC Generations Project will provide valuable information for people to make decisions about their lifestyle.
Also, my mother is a cancer survivor, so I also felt I was doing my part to understand more about any hereditary links. And I have to admit, I was curious about how healthy I was compared to my peers!
In the last few years, have you made any changes to your lifestyle in the interest of cancer prevention?
I have followed a healthy lifestyle for many years. I’m vegetarian, I keep my weight in control and I try to stay physically active.
Would you recommend participating in the BC Generations Project to others?
I’ve recommended participation in the BC Generations project to both my friends and family! A nurse colleague told me about it, and I’m glad she did.
What do you feel you got out of participating in the project?
I really enjoyed learning the results of my tests. It provided encouragement for me to keep up with what I am doing for my health and continue to work on my strength and fitness.
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Do you have a story to tell? We’d love to feature you on our blog. Please leave a comment below and we’ll be in touch!
To participate in the BC Generations Project, please sign up today.
For more information, please check out our FAQs page.
TORONTO – February 3, 2011 – When it comes to cancer research, Canadians want to do more. A national survey released today in advance of World Cancer Day shows that more than half of Canadians 35 to 69 years of age feel cancer should be a top priority for health research. However, the survey also shows that a similar number do not know how to get involved in a way that could be helpful to other people.
We have the answer and it takes just 30 or so minutes to sign up. The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project is looking for 300,000 Canadians between the ages of 35 and 69 to participate in a landmark Canadian study designed to help us better understand cancer and other chronic diseases, like heart and lung disease or diabetes. By following a large group of people over many years, researchers can explore how genetics, environment, lifestyle and behaviour interact and contribute to the development of cancer and other chronic diseases.
“This type of research is often difficult because it is complex, time consuming and extensive resources are required,” says Dr. Heather Bryant, Vice-President of Cancer Control, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. “By joining this landmark study, Canadians will be contributing to the creation of a rich national bank of health information to help researchers answer fundamental questions about the causes of cancer and chronic disease for future generations.”
Study participants will be asked to provide information about their health, lifestyle and environment, biological samples such as urine and blood, and physical measurements such as weight and height. By following participants over the long term, researchers will be able to build layers of information that will create a rich understanding of how all of these factors interact to affect health. It is much more than a single study: it is the construction of a population laboratory that will yield results for decades to come.
“Like many Canadians, I have been personally affected by cancer and have often felt powerless in the face of this devastating disease,” says Jan Duff, a study participant. “By participating in the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project, I know that I’m making a simple contribution that could make a significant difference in cancer research, and prevent my children and grandchildren from ever developing the disease.”
Most Canadians Want to Do More to Support Cancer Research
A new survey, conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion for the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer to mark World Cancer Day on February 4th, found that virtually all Canadian respondents aged 35 to 69 (91 per cent) have been touched by cancer and three-quarters (74 per cent) feel that they are likely to develop cancer themselves. While more than half of Canadians (58 per cent), feel that they can do more to help improve the health of Canadians, a similar proportion (54 per cent) also feel that they do not know how they can help other people with their health problems, despite many (59 per cent) being interested in donating more time to health-related causes. While many Canadians in this age group (55 per cent) selected cancer over nine other possibilities as the top priority for health research, when introduced to the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project, 80 per cent agree that it is critical for Canadians to participate in this type of study.
About Canada’s Landmark Cancer and Chronic Disease Research Study
The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project consists of five regional studies known as Atlantic PATH, BC Generations Project, Quebec’s CARTaGENE, Ontario Health Study and Alberta’s The Tomorrow Project. These cohorts are being driven by partner organizations in the five participating regions including the BC Cancer Agency, Alberta Health Services – Cancer Care, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Cancer Care Ontario, Quebec’s CARTaGENE project, and Cancer Care Nova Scotia with Dalhousie University collaborating for work in the Atlantic Provinces.
Funding includes $42 million from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer – a national, independent organization funded by the federal government to accelerate action on cancer control for all Canadians – along with additional regional commitments of $57.1 million.
How to Join
In BC: If you would like to participate in the BC Generations Project, contact us today! We’ll send you a Participant package that explains all aspects of the study and gives you everything you need to join. Call us toll Free: 1-877-675-8221 or email us at: bcgenerationsproject@bccrc.ca
In the other Provinces and Territories: Make a commitment to cancer research by participating in the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project, please visit www.partnershipfortomorrow.ca.
About The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer
The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is an independent organization funded by the federal government to accelerate action on cancer control for all Canadians. Bringing together cancer experts, government representatives, the Canadian Cancer Society and cancer patients, survivors and their families through the Canadian Cancer Action Network to implement the first pan-Canadian cancer control strategy, the vision is to be a driving force to achieve a focused approach that will help prevent cancer, enhance the quality of life of those affected by cancer, lessen the likelihood of dying from cancer, and increase the efficiency of cancer control in Canada. For more information about the Partnership and Canada’s cancer control strategy, visit partnershipagainstcancer.ca. The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is also the driving force behind cancerview.ca, an online community linking Canadians to cancer information, services and resources.
About Angus Reid Public Opinion
Angus Reid Public Opinion is headed by Dr. Angus Reid: an industry visionary who has spent more than four decades asking questions to figure out what people feel, how they think and who they will vote for. A team of talented and experienced practitioners with a unique and profound understanding of global issues conduct high quality research throughout the world on a daily basis for corporations, governments, academic researchers, and non-profit organizations.
