Prince George, B.C. – Time flies, it has already been one year since the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North in Prince George, officially opened and treated its first patient.

 

( at right, the official banner cutting on  opening day,  November 1, 2012 – photo 250News Archive)

 

Since it opened , 562 patients have been treated at the facility. Of that number, 418 were treated with radiation therapy, a therapy that was not available in this region before.

 

Prior to the Northern Cancer Centre’s opening, patients had to travel to Cancer Centres in the Okanagan or the Lower Mainland to receive radiation therapy. Having this treatment available in the north saves northern cancer patients both time and money and means they are closer to family support during their cancer journey.

 

The treatment is delivered through one two linear accelerators, each named after one of the rivers in Prince George, the Nechako and the Fraser.

 

 “I am delighted to celebrate the first anniversary of our sixth cancer centre” says  Dr. Max Coppes, president, BC Cancer Agency. “The BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North is an integral part of our provincial approach to cancer care and research. We are looking forward to using this Centre as the province’s northern cancer research hub. Congratulations to the dedicated staff of the BC Cancer Agency, and to our community partners and volunteers who have helped make the Centre for the North a success on its first anniversary.”

 

There are 95 staff at the Cancer Centre for the North, and 31 volunteers.