Tzu Chi Foundation announces almost $1 Million in support for VGH -- Funds dedicated to Ear, Nose, Throat and the fight against emerging infectious diseases
March 13th, 2007
Vancouver : Almost $1 million in new equipment and
research funding is destined for Vancouver General Hospital (VGH),
thanks to the generosity of the Tzu Chi Foundation Canada. Tzu Chi,
long-time VGH supporters, are making their donation through the VGH
& UBC Hospital Foundation and helping advance the world-class
health care practiced at the hospital.
Their donation,
which has two distinct components -- new, sophisticated equipment
needed by the Hospital’s Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and
Throat or ENT) divisio n and a new groundbreaking technological
platform that identifies and knocks out emerging infectious
diseases -- demonstrates their foundation’s focus on
charity, medicine, education and humanity.
“Our
membership wanted to take action, and support something that would
bring benefit to many,” said Gary Ho, CEO, Tzu Chi
Canada Foundation. “By funding equipment, with tangible
results for people in British Columbia who are cared for at VGH,
and infectious disease research, with its worldwide potential,
we’re pleased to be supporting the communities we live
and work in, at many levels.”
Part of the gift is a powerful new Ears Nose and
Throat “Endoscopy System.” This piece of
equipment is used for visually examining the interior of the nose
and throat. It provides ENT doctors with a clear view of the nasal
cavity and sinuses, down the back of the throat and to the vocal
cords. It allows early detection and treatment of potentially
lethal diseases, including a type of cancer, nasopharyngeal
carcinoma , that is seen mainly in people originally from Southeast
China, including Hong Kong and Guangdong.
“These tumours, which appear in the nasal
cavity, occur approximately 70 times more often in patients from
this region, than they do in other patient groups seen at VGH
,” said Dr. Neil Longridge, Head of the Division of
Otolaryngology. “Because this equipment is so much more
powerful than what we’ve worked with before, it will
make a big difference in diagnosing this condition, catching it
before it is at a critical stage, and keeping people out of the
hospital. The generous gift from Tzu Chi Canada Foundation will
enable the latest, most advanced treatment for people from across
B.C. with this disease and with other ENT illnesses.
”
Nasopharyngeal tumours have an 80 per cent cure rate
if caught early; but an 80 per cent mortality rate if detected
late. The Endoscopy System not only allows medical experts to
visually see potential tumours, but also to perform patient
biopsies and treatments on the spot.
The second part of Tzu Chi’s gift is a
commitment that their organization’s members will raise
$750,000 for an initiative intended to respond to infectious
diseases of the future.
The
Proteomics for
Emerging
Pathogen
Response research project, more commonly called
PREPARE, will have worldwide implications.
The PREPARE project will accelerate the development
of new drugs and vaccines for emerging infectious diseases,
building on Vancouver’s success in fighting SARS. The
project is made up of pioneering team members from VGH, Vancouver
Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI), UBC and BC Centre of
Disease Control who are using proteomics to identify the proteins
in life-threatening pathogens and then designing computer-simulated
drugs to precisely target and knock out these proteins. This new
approach will cut in half the time required to develop targeted
drugs and vaccines for deadly, unknown microorganisms.
"Vancouver is an acknowledged world leader on the
forefront to fight deadly emerging infectious diseases. Donor-led
fundraising enables Vancouver to build on these strengths and
emerge as a major centre to develop drugs and vaccines in record
time,” said Dr. Neil Reiner, Head, Division of
Infectious Diseases, VGH and head of the PREPARE
project.
“We’re pleased to recognize
Tzu Chi Foundation Canada today. They have been important to so
many at VGH over the years. Their generous donation and the
leadership they’ve taken is commendable,”
said
Ron Dumouchelle, President & CEO, VGH & UBC
Hospital Foundation.”
Tzu Chi
Canada Foundation was founded in 1966 by a
Buddhist nun in Taiwan; the Canadian branch – based in
Vancouver -- is one of 300 branches world-wide that focuses on
charity, medicine, education and humanity with the
spirit of sincerity, integrity, trust and honesty.
Lisa
Carver
Vancouver
Coastal Health Research Institute Communications
Tel:
604.875.4111, local 61777
Cell:
604.319.7533
