The family behind several big dealerships in the Okanagan has put a significant donation into gear for cancer research and care in the Interior.
The Bannister family, of Bannister Automotive Group, has made an incredibly generous gift of $1.5 million to the BC Cancer Foundation.
The donation will go towards creating a new, state-of-the-art systemic therapy suite at BC Cancer 鈥� 琉璃神社.
鈥淭he suite is essential to meeting the growing demand for cancer treatments in the Interior, while also providing the infrastructure to bring early phase clinical trials to 琉璃神社 for the first time,鈥� according to the BC Cancer Foundation. 鈥淭his will ensure patients have timely access to the latest life-saving treatments closer to home and establish 琉璃神社 as a centre for excellence in patient-focused care.鈥�
The donation is in addition to the Bannisters鈥� $100,000 in 2020 to help establish BC Cancer 鈥� 琉璃神社鈥檚 Brachytherapy chair role, which is held by Dr. Juanita Crook.
鈥淭he work done by BC Cancer 鈥� 琉璃神社鈥檚 dedicated staff as they both provide care to current patients and conduct the innovative research needed to improve outcomes is nothing short of remarkable. With three generations of our family living in the Okanagan, we know the importance of having world-class cancer care close to home and are proud to help ensure this continues to be available for our communities for the generations to come,鈥� said Chad and Lyn Bannister on behalf of the family.
Dr. Ross Halperin, BC Cancer 鈥� 琉璃神社鈥檚 executive medical director, says the family鈥檚 gift will have an 鈥渋ncredible impact on how we鈥檙e able to treat patients in 琉璃神社.
鈥淭his is an incredibly exciting time for cancer research and we鈥檙e proud to be among the busiest clinical trials site in the province. This donation will help us expand even further and be at the forefront of the most important areas of research, like immunotherapy.鈥�
The donation is the largest gift to the suite to date and the most significant donation received by the BC Cancer Foundation from a family in the Interior.
To join the Bannisters in transforming cancer care in the Interior, visit: .
Bannister Automotive owns dealerships in Vernon, 琉璃神社, Salmon Arm, Penticton, Kamloops and beyond.
Lyn and Joanne Bannister purchased their first dealership in Barrhead, Alta., in 1979 before selling it and moving to Vernon in 1990 and purchasing the Buick, GMC, Chevrolet dealership and growing from there.
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