We’re glad you found us. We can help. |
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BCC was founded in 2009 to support bladder cancer patients and their loved ones. Supporting you at every step of this journey remains a cornerstone of our mission, with “support” coming in many forms to help meet your individual needs. By way of our online Discussion Forums, One2One Peer Support, or Support Groups in various parts of the country, our goal is to provide help in ways most meaningful and convenient for you.
New in March 2021, when you click one of four pop-ups on our website, it will take you directly to the “Get Support” page. Note that the pop-up will only appear for first-time visitors and on certain pages where we think the visitor might need help.
For more information, visit our website here.
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Anyone can get bladder cancer. Know the signs. |
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There are 80,000 Canadians living with bladder cancer, and many of them are younger than you’d think. BCC posted an editorial feature in a recent issue of Health Insight (www.healthinsight.ca) and in the current issue of Maclean’s magazine. Featured in the editorial is one family’s story about why awareness and early detection are critical in saving lives:
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"On November 27th, 2020, I lost my husband and father to our three-year-old daughter to metastatic bladder cancer. John was 37.
When he was diagnosed eleven months prior with Stage III bladder cancer, his urologist told us that he was ‘one in a million’ because healthy, young men don’t get this disease. John was misdiagnosed previously because he didn’t fit the profile. He was a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, worked-out daily, and chased after our young daughter. When he started chemotherapy in January 2020, he didn’t complain — he just wanted to close that chapter.” Read more…
Many thanks to Breanna Perkins-Weston (seen in the photo above, with her husband, John, and daughter, Everly) for openly sharing her story of losing her husband, John, to bladder cancer.
For information on some of the other common signs of bladder cancer, check out our website.
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"The risk of recurrence of my cancer is high, so I need to take care of myself." |
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We were so pleased to see one of our new Peer Support Volunteers, Gervais Fournier, featured in this New Normal, Same Cancer news story, seen last month in the Le Journal de Montréal. The translated article is below:
“The year 2020 took everyone by surprise. We stayed home, wore masks and replaced face-to-face visits with meetings on Zoom. Unfortunately, new data shows that because of the pandemic, patients with cancer symptoms are reluctant to see a doctor for fear of exposure to COVID-19.
Globally, cancer diagnoses have dropped by approximately 40%. In Canada, a survey found that 80 percent of oncologists believe that delays caused by COVID-19 have had a moderate to severe impact on the diagnosis and evaluation of potential cancer cases, as well as on patient care. Oncologists also estimate that diagnoses of some cancers have dropped by 25%, including ovarian and bladder cancer.
But cancer does not go away. Medical experts are concerned that delays in cancer treatment could have a significant long-term impact on patients' ability to fight the disease.
"Some patients are understandably afraid to go to health care facilities," said Dr. Shannon Salvador, gynecologic oncologist and Director of Communities of Practice, Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada. "However, health care professionals have learned from the first wave of the pandemic and know what to do to minimize the risk of COVID-19. Cancer patients should be confident that the necessary protocols are in place to ensure the safety of all.”
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Gervais Fournier, 73, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec (seen above), was diagnosed with Stage I bladder cancer in 2018. Fortunately, his cancer was detected early and treated without delay. Mr. Fournier continues to receive preventive care, in person, at his regional cancer center.
"The risk of recurrence of my cancer is high, so I need to take care of myself," he said. "At first, I was afraid to go to the center for treatment, but everything is fine. The health workers are doing a great job and I feel safe.” Read more… (Content in French)
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New Normal, Same Cancer is an awareness campaign about the issues arising due to COVID-19. It is funded by Astra Zeneca and supported by leading cancer organizations including Bladder Cancer Canada.
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Understanding better treatment patterns and outcomes for bladder cancer patients |
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CBCIS has enrolled over 5,400 patients since 2015. It captures contemporary management, practice patterns and outcomes across the entire spectrum of patients with non-muscle invasive, muscle invasive and metastatic bladder cancer. The goal is to use the data generated in CBCIS to better understand treatment patterns and outcomes in order to improve the management of bladder cancer patients in Canada and beyond. CBCIS is unique in the world as a multidisciplinary and multi-centre platform that collects detailed individual patient data to prepare for the future. Read more…
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Bladder Cancer Canada funds research grants with CUASF |
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In 2020, Bladder Cancer Canada (BCC) funded over $250,000 in bladder cancer research. Since BCC supported its very first $25,000 grant in 2012, we have funded over $1.2 million in research, with an additional $392,500 in matched funds for a total of more than $1.6 million dollars. By the end of 2020, we funded nearly $1.9 million dollars in bladder cancer research. This incredible milestone has been made possible because of BCC’s supportive donors and valued research funding partners. |
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We are once again partnering with the Canadian Urological Association Scholarship Fund (CUASF) to provide financial support for research within the Canadian bladder cancer research community. Up to two grants of $50,000 and four grants of $25,000 will be awarded. Funding will be provided over a 12-month performance period.
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Many thanks to our latest fundraisers! |
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Many thanks to our friends and supporters who recently held personal fundraisers for anniversaries, birthdays and other important life events to support Bladder Cancer Canada and the work we do.
Shout-outs go to David, Jocelyne and Mace (January), Jessica and Dennis (February). We so appreciate all that you’ve done!
Be recognized! Visit our website here to learn how to host your own fundraiser.
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Please join us on social media where we’ll be sharing updates and photos from our bladder cancer community. These social media sites are a great resource for patients, survivors and caregivers.
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You are receiving this email because you have registered on our website or expressed an interest in receiving more information about bladder cancer or Bladder Cancer Canada.
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