BC SUPPORTS CLINICAL TRIALS FOR BLOOD DISEASE PATIENTS

VICTORIA – An innovative program that gives patients access to new, breakthrough treatments that would otherwise be unavailable for blood diseases such as leukemia and multiple myeloma, is being boosted with $2 million from the Province, announced Health Services Minister George Abbott today.

“Every year, nearly 5,000 British Columbians are diagnosed with blood cancer such as multiple myeloma or leukemia or thrombosis, which can cause dangerous blood clots,” said Abbott. “Our support of the Hematology Clinical Trials Unit at Vancouver General Hospital will help ensure British Columbians across the province can continue to participate in studies on brand new drugs and treatments that have the promise of becoming standard treatments tomorrow.”

“When you’re suddenly faced with a diagnosis of blood cancer, you desperately want to hear that there is hope and that a treatment is available,” said Sindi Hawkins, MLA for Kelowna-Mission. “I am so proud of the Province’s support of the unit, and our commitment to provide patients with the newest, best treatments available anywhere in the world.”

The Hematology Clinical Trials Unit was formed in 2004 from private donations. The unit evaluates new treatments for blood cancers, new approaches to stem cell transplantation and new supportive care measures, such as treatment of common infections and therapies that hasten recovery after transplantation. To date, the unit has conducted 39 clinical trials of new drugs, and treated over 300 patients. In a series of trials, 27 patients were treated for chronic myeloid leukemia using a pill instead of undergoing a bone marrow transplant. In another, 169 patients were treated for multiple myeloma, testing alternatives to intravenous chemotherapy.

“Our Hematology Clinical Trials Unit provides patients access to new groundbreaking medications that are less toxic. It is our hope that patients can be treated with a pill and are able to stay at home instead of needing to travel and be admitted to a hospital,” said Dr. Clayton A. Smith, director of the Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Program of B.C. “We are grateful to the provincial government for their support of this innovative unit to help save lives and provide a better quality of life for thousands of patients across B.C.”

“With comprehensive expertise in all facets of hematology, including thrombosis, we are well positioned to be the leading Canadian centre for research,” said Dr. Michael Barnett, head of the VGH and UBC Divisions of Hematology. “Ongoing contributions will help to bolster our drive for ‘made-in-B.C.’ cures for blood diseases.”

“This unique research unit will help ensure British Columbians with blood diseases have access to the latest life-extending drugs,” said Anne Sutherland Boal, chief operating officer of Vancouver Acute. “We thank our partners in the provincial government and VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. This pivotal funding will allow us to develop our own treatments at VGH and provide better health outcomes for the patients we serve.”

“This is a tremendous example of government and private donors from the community together setting an example of leadership for others to follow,” said Ron Dumouchelle, president and chief executive officer, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “With donor contributions, new pioneering research at the Hematology Clinical Trials Unit is helping patients from across B.C. live better and longer lives and providing real hope for families now and well into the future.”

As blood cancer patients require significant amounts of blood products over the course of their treatments, the public is requested to consider becoming a blood donor. To make an appointment to donate, please contact Canadian Blood Services at 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283). For more information or to find the nearest blood donor clinic, visit www.blood.ca.

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Contact:

Michelle Stewart

Communications Director

Ministry of Health Services

250 812-5571 (cell)

250 952-1887 (media line)

Jon Hicke

Director, Marketing & Communications

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation

604 875-5196




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