Drive for the Cure

Royal Columbian is one of BC’s busiest hospitals, caring for a population of more than two million people—from Burnaby to Boston Bar. As a regional referral centre, we provide specialized care in cardiac services, trauma, neurosciences, high-risk maternity, and neonatal intensive care.

We are also a vital hub for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Nearly one in two Canadians will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. At Royal Columbian, patients benefit from a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team that supports them through every stage—from screening and diagnosis to treatment and recovery. Our pathologists and cytologists work closely with radiologists, oncologists, and surgeons to develop personalized, evidence-based treatment plans aimed at achieving the best possible outcomes.

Your participation in Drive for the Cure is more than a great day on the course. With your involvement, we can invest in advanced cancer surgical tools.

Your support will help Royal Columbian Hospital obtain:

• Stryker PneumoClear System: This system gently warms and filters the gas used to inflate the abdomen during surgery. That means less pain, fewer complications, and faster recovery for patients undergoing minimally invasive procedures.
• 1688 4K Fluorescence Imaging System: This high-definition camera system helps surgeons see cancerous tissue more clearly—even using special dyes that “light up” tumours and critical structures. This leads to greater precision, fewer complications, and better outcomes.

Cancer Care at Royal Columbian

Screening & Diagnosis

• Royal Columbian provides cancer screening, including colon, breast, lung, liver and brain cancer.
• Our Gastroenterology Department is a major referral centre for screening and treating colorectal cancer.
• Our Breast Imaging program offers diagnostic imaging in an acute care setting, using both mammographic and ultrasound technology to evaluate abnormalities in patients with potentially abnormal screening mammograms.
• Our pathologists and cytologists diagnose disease and cancer from tissue specimens (surgical pathology) as well as fluid samples (cytology).
• We perform predictive and prognostic biomarkers for breast, brain and other cancers that determine the appropriate individualized cancer therapy for patients.

Radiation Therapy

• Royal Columbian Hospital provides Radioactive Iodine Therapy for treating thyroid cancer.

Chemotherapy

• Patients receive personalized chemotherapy treatments at Royal Columbian.

Surgery

• Royal Columbian Hospital’s Surgical Program provides the highest level of care in surgical services to a wide variety of programs, often involving complex procedures.

Non-surgical Treatment

• Ablation at Royal Columbian Hospital is performed by our interventional radiologists to kill benign and malignant lung, liver, kidney, bone and soft tissue tumors. Radiofrequency and microwave ablation destroy tumours with heat, cryoablation with cold. This treatment is often used for patients who aren’t candidates for surgery. We are one of the foremost leaders in ablation in Canada.

Your support

Meet three Royal Columbian Hospital surgeons whose patients will benefit from your generosity during Drive for the Cure.

Dr. Elena Vikis is one of Canada’s leading experts in minimally invasive colorectal cancer surgery and has been caring for patients at Royal Columbian and Eagle Ridge Hospitals since 2012. She is a national leader in a groundbreaking surgical technique called transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS), having performed more of these procedures than anyone else in the country. Her work is helping to set a new international standard of care for one of the most common and deadly forms of cancer. Dr. Vikis has played a key role in developing advanced colorectal surgical services in B.C.’s largest health region. For more about Dr. Vikis, watch our Champions of Philanthropy video.

Dr. Shawn MacKenzie is a leading cancer surgeon with specialized expertise in treating complex liver, pancreas, and bile duct cancers. Prior to coming to Royal Columbian, he built advanced surgical programs at major hospitals in the U.S., where he was trusted to lead teams and improve care for patients facing some of the most challenging cancers. Known for using less invasive techniques that help patients recover faster, Dr. MacKenzie is also deeply involved in advancing cancer treatment through clinical trials. For more about Dr. MacKenzie, read this patient story.

Dr. Brian Yang, an esteemed Urologist with 14 years at Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH), is the Head of Surgery, significantly impacting the hospital’s surgical department. He also holds the Head of Urology position at Fraser Health, emphasizing his commitment to healthcare system advancement. Dr. Yang actively supports the RCH Foundation, presenting at events, participating in tours, and advocating for medical technology improvements, including robotic surgery. For more about Dr. Yang, watch our Champions of Philanthropy video.