British Columbians Join Landmark Health Study

BC Generations Project explores factors leading to cancer, other diseases

The BC Generations Project was launched last year as part of a national study to recruit and follow 300,000 Canadians over the next 20 to 30 years. BC Cancer Agency researchers want to investigate how a person’s environment, lifestyle and genes contribute to cancer and other chronic diseases, like heart disease and stroke, so they can learn more about prevention for the benefit of future generations.

Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces are also taking part, and similar large-scale, long-term studies are being conducted in the UK and other countries.

“It’s a huge opportunity for the current generation to do something for future generations,” says Richard Gallagher, the BC Generations Project principal investigator and senior scientist in the BC Cancer Agency‘s cancer control research program. “This could help protect your children or your children’s children, from getting cancer or chronic disease.”

Anyone within the 40 to 69 year age range is encouraged to participate, Gallagher says, regardless of whether they are healthy or have health problems or disabilities.

The BC Generations Project was first offered in the Lower Mainland – now it’s based online, so residents from anywhere in the province can participate.

All you have to do is request a questionnaire, which is available by phone at 604-675-8221; toll free at 1-877-675-8221; by email at [email protected] or online at www.bcgenerationsproject.ca.

So far, more than 6,500 British Columbians have signed up. Many endorse the project’s focus on disease prevention; others say they want to contribute to cancer research.

BC Cancer Foundation donors share this motivation and are providing funding support to the project. It’s another example of how the Foundation, which is the fundraising partner of the BC Cancer Agency, serves as the bridge to connect philanthropy to cancer research for the benefit of all British Columbians.

As one participant said, “Why not? My wife of 43 years is alive because of medical research and advancements.”
The BC Cancer Foundation is the bridge that connects philanthropic support and research breakthroughs in cancer knowledge. As the fundraising partner of the BC Cancer Agency and the largest charitable funder of cancer research in this province, we enable donors to make contributions to leading-edge research that have a direct impact on improvements to cancer care for patients in British Columbia. We fund with the goal of finding solutions.
As an independent charitable organization, we raise funds exclusively for the BC Cancer Agency to support innovative cancer research and compassionate enhancements to patient care.

Visit www.bccancerfoundation.com to make a donation or to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.

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1. Cancer Research: Advances in Genomics
2. New Developments in Cancer Research
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