Northern Cancer Lodge to be Named Kordyban Lodge

By 250 News

Prince George, BC,  - Three generous donors have given a huge boost to the Canadian Cancer's Society's $10 million fundraising campaign for a northern lodge to help Northern BC residents facing cancer.  The Kordyban and Novak families, along with West Fraser Timber, have donated a combined total of $4 million towards this goal.

"The people of the North have waited a long time for a lodge," says Barbara Kaminsky, CEO, Canadian Cancer Society BC and Yukon. "Now with the leadership gifts of these donors, this wait is almost over. There is no doubt that without their generous contributions we would not be able to achieve this."

A total of $8.6 million has been raised so far for the facility.

The Society also announced the Northern Lodge will be named the Kordyban Lodge in honour of a $2 million gift from the Kordyban family. The Novak's $1 million gift will be recognized through The Novak Family Meditation and Spiritual Room.  West Fraser Timber's gift of $1 million will be recognized through the West Fraser Timber Lounge.

In 2010 over 1200 people from Northern BC stayed in Society lodges in Vancouver, Kelowna and Victoria.

"When illness threatens families it's natural for life's priorities to change," says Mary Kordyban. "The Kordyban Lodge will serve as a vital component to those on a cancer journey and we are honoured to have it named after our family."

"My family and I recognize the need for a 'home away from home' for cancer patients here in the north, and we are proud to be a part of this campaign," says Henry Novak, Campaign Chair and donor. "This lodge will truly be for the north, from the north."

"West Fraser is pleased to contribute to this superb new facility," says Hank Ketcham, Chairman, President and CEO. "It will prove vitally important to people throughout central and northern British Columbia.  Not only are our company roots in this region but it is also home to the largest concentration of our employees. While we hope our employees and their loved ones will never have a need for its use, it is reassuring to know that it will be there for them and other residents of the region."

The Kordyban Lodge will provide accommodation for individuals and their caregivers travelling to Prince George for treatment at the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North. It will serve cancer patients and their families from communities throughout Northern BC.

The 25,000 square foot Kordyban Lodge with 36 beds will provide full meal services as well as supportive facilities including a family room, the Novak Family Spiritual and Meditation Room, the West Fraser Timber Lounge, massage therapy room, library, activity room, an exercise facility, and wig and prosthetics rooms. Kordyban Lodge will also become a place for Canadian Cancer Society patient support programs.

Anyone interested in making a donation or helping raise funds for the Northern Lodge should contact our CCS office in Prince George at phone 1-250-564-0885.

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us