Abbotsford philanthropist Dave Holmberg has made a $100,000 donation to the BC Cancer Foundation in support of high-tech radiation therapy equipment at the BC Cancer Agency Abbotsford Centre.
Cancer has deeply impacted the Holmberg family. Just 18 months after losing his eldest son, David Jr., to brain cancer, Holmberg received a diagnosis of multiple myeloma – a cancer of the plasma cells.
He has now completed treatment, which consisted of 27 rounds of radiation therapy from BC Cancer Agency specialists, who Holmberg describes as “highly skilled and compassionate.”
A community leader in the agricultural equipment business for 45 years, Holmberg said he was motivated to make the $100,000 gift because he knows the importance of having the best equipment available.
He also recognizes the world-leading advancements in cancer knowledge and care occurring in B.C. and believes in the value of research.
A clinical trial gave David Jr. 17 months of added time with his family until he passed away at age 48.
“I have no doubt that the clinical trial treatments gave David extra time,” Holmberg said. “Anything we can do as a public to help move research forward is truly important.”
More than 1,000 patients are treated with radiation therapy at the Abbotsford Centre each year.
“Radiation therapy is a critical component in cancer care, which is ever-advancing,” said Dr. Nisar Ahmed, radiation oncology leader at BC Cancer Agency in Abbotsford.
“This generous gift from the Holmberg family will help ensure we have the latest, most technologically advanced systems for our patients in Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley.”
The Holmberg family also made a recent $500,000 donation to the Abbotsford Hospice Society’s adult hospice, named Holmberg House in memory of Dave Jr.
That facility will be located on the Campus of Care project adjacent to Abbotsford Regional Hospital and is expected to open in the spring or summer of 2014.