The Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary hosted the internationally-respected cancer researcher Dr. Julian Lum at the Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre March 30.
Lum spoke about the innovative research he is doing in Victoria at the BC Cancer Research Centre. The very exciting research into tailored cancer treatment utilizing a patient’s own immune cells has great promise for the future with the hope that certain cancers may possibly be treated with a customized vaccine-type of shot, just as for polio and other diseases.
Lum also provided insight into the many research stages from theory to bench research, to clinical trials to public application. One must be patient but persistent, he insisted.
Following the presentation and extensive question and answer session, those in attendance expressed enthusiasm and sincere appreciation for Lum’s dynamic and informative message.
None of this high level, beneficial research can happen without financial resources and the BC Cancer Research Foundation staff provided additional information on how the public can assist in funding this groundbreaking research. Few residents in Chemainus or the Cowichan Valley have not been touched by cancer, be it through family or friends dealing with the disease.
”We all can play a part in this journey to fight cancer,” conceded Health Care Auxiliary president Susan Beaubier.
The Auxiliary’s Lucy Fry and Beaubier presented a $23,541 cheque to Lum to finance the purchase of a Lonza 4D-Nucleofector core unit.
“This is a very specialized research instrument that is one of only a very few in Canada and North America,” Beaubier indicated.
For more information about Lum’s research and the BC Cancer Research Centre in Victoria, go to http://www.bccancer.bc.ca or call the BC Cancer Research Foundation at 1-866-519-5550.
