“Finding out about a genetic mutation can change your life, but it can also save it. That’s the kind of power this information holds.” Dr. Sue Friedman, Founder of FORCE

Our Mission and Vision

BRCAinBC is a knowledge mobilization organization closing the information and support gap for individuals at high risk of hereditary cancer in British Columbia, with a focus on the BRCA gene mutations. We aim to drive positive change in healthcare systems impacting BRCA carriers and their loved ones through building community capacity and leveraging highly engaged, multi-sectoral partnerships.

Our vision is to reduce deaths from BRCA-driven cancers by 50% in the next 25 years.

This will impact an estimated 47,500 British Columbians who carry a gene mutation but do not yet know it (Manchanda et al., Narod, Cancer Care Ontario).

We accomplish this mission by addressing barriers to the diagnosis through:

  • Increasing public awareness of the BRCA genes and their associated risks,

  • Identifying high-risk and underserved populations in need of targeted education, with a particular focus on the Jewish community,

  • Supporting research into the social, legal, and practical barriers to testing, and

  • Identifying areas to improve equitable access to genetic testing for all British Columbians.

We also aim to improve healthcare experiences and address gaps in care for BRCA+ patients by:

  • Empowering patients with the knowledge to manage and reduce their personal hereditary cancer risk,

  • Working with healthcare providers to improve access to and reduce wait times for essential preventive surgeries, screenings, and treatments,

  • Supporting patients to participate in Canada-relevant research opportunities.

We will also ensure that patients and families know they are never alone by providing a supportive community and responsive resources throughout their lifelong BRCA journeys. Through these efforts, we believe we will be able to reduce the burden of BRCA-driven cancers for all British Columbians in this generation and the next.

“We are no longer content just to find cancer at its earliest stage. Now we want to predict it—so we can prevent it from happening in the first place.” — Dr. Ken Offit, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

People gathered around a U-shaped conference table during a meeting or presentation, with a person standing and speaking at the front of the room.

We educate the public about the risks associated with BRCA mutations and the importance of getting tested. We:

  • Create targeted education for populations with lower testing rates and higher risk (e.g. men, and people with Jewish ancestry).

  • Work with healthcare providers to improve and expand access to genetic testing and better healthcare services for gene mutation carriers.

  • Support carriers in their lifelong healthcare and prevention journeys through educational programs, community building, peer support, and access to research studies.

What We Do

Group of men sitting at a long outdoor picnic table enjoying food and drinks during a camping trip in a wooded park, with trees and parked cars in the background.

How We Do It

Access to information is the centre of what we do. We develop streamlined health promotion messaging, including eye-catching and innovative campaigns, dialogue programs, and curated websites with engaging digital and print marketing tools. We also

  • Engage with key healthcare partners and stakeholders, including researchers, specialized non-profits, and high-risk communities.

  • Leverage key partnerships with doctors, researchers, and gene carriers to utilize resources efficiently and effectively (we excel at building something out of nothing!).

  • Use the most up-to-date, context-relevant and highest-quality science, both locally and globally, to inform our work.

Board of Directors

  • Jane Remocker

    Jane Remocker

    CO-FOUNDER/PAST CHAIR

  • Allison Mindlin

    Allison Mindlin, MSc

    SECRETARY

  • Damien Eddy

    Damien Eddy

    FINANCIAL OFFICER

  • Joanna Sanchez

    Joanna Sanchez

    MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Medical Advisory Board

  • Dr. Rona Cheifetz

    Dr. Rona Cheifetz, MD

    MEDICAL LEAD, BC CANCER HIGH RISK CLINIC

  • Dr. Lesa Dawson

    Dr. Lesa Dawson, MD

    MEDICAL LEAD, BC SURVIVORSHIP CLINIC

  • Dr. Karen Gelmon, MD

    Dr. Karen Gelmon, MD

    MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST, UBC PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE

Support Staff

  • Catriona Remocker-Eddy

    Catriona Remocker-Eddy

    CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR

  • Nikoo Shayegan

    Nikoo Shayegan

    SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

  • Neve Eilam

    Neve Eilam

    EVALUATION AND PROJECTS ASSISTANT

  • Eva Leitin

    Eva Leitin

    DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

  • Tammy Stothers

    PROJECT MANAGER

  • Sylvia Wvong

    Sylvia Wvong

    BOOKKEEPER

Volunteer Contributors

  • Annika Chambers

    Annika Chambers

    PAST VOLUNTEER CONTENT WRITER

  • Tammy Stothers

    Tammy Stothers

    PAST VOLUNTEER CONTENT WRITER

  • Tovah Carr

    Tovah Carr

    PAST COMMITTEE MEMBER

Community Partners

  • Logo of BC Center with text 'Provincial Health Services Authority' underneath.
  • Logo of Jewish Federation Greater Vancouver featuring a stylized blue star with white wavy lines, and text in dark blue and light blue.
  • Diamond Foundation logo with stylized text 'diamond' and 'FOUNDATION' underneath.
  • The logo of the BC CanCER Foundation with the text 'BC CAN CER Foundation' in large, colorful letters.
  • AstraZeneca logo with purple text and a gold abstract symbol resembling a stylized letter 'A' or a DNA strand.
  • Gynecologic Cancer Initiative logo with purple icon and black and purple text.
  • Logo for Michael Smith Health Research BC with purple and blue geometric shapes.
  • A logo with colorful abstract human figures reaching upward, stars, and the text "PAC" in large blue letters, followed by the tagline "Connect, Support, Engage" in smaller green letters.
  • Temple Sholom logo with a menorah inside a Star of David on a dark blue background.
  • Jewish Federation logo featuring a blue Star of David with interconnected circles and the text 'Connect Me! Powered by Jewish Federation'.
  • Logo of Congregation Beth Israel, featuring a blue Star of David with Hebrew text
  • Logo for InspireHealth Supportive Cancer Care featuring an orange flower above the text.
  • UBC Department of Surgery Faculty of Medicine logo with university crest
  • Logo of Beth Tikvah Synagogue featuring a blue Star of David with a stylized tree inside and the words 'Beth Tikvah Synagogue' in blue text.
  • Logo of the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, featuring a white letter J inside a blue square, with the organization's name written next to it.
  • Logo of the Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island featuring a Star of David with a blue wave through it.
  • Logo for On The Creek Films with the name and tagline 'Feminist, Lesbian, Illuminating'
  • Logo for the Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada featuring a blue ribbon and a maple leaf.

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN

Cover page of a strategic plan document titled 'BRCAinBC: Strategic Plan, Achievements & Directions 2018-2024' with a blue logo, contents divided into sections on purpose, achievements, and future goals.

Our current strategic plan outlines the committee’s ongoing activities and work in the community.

Download Here

Get Involved or Donate!

Do you want to get involved or make a donation to support BRCAinBC?

We are always looking for people who are passionate to support our work in the community. There are opportunities to join our board, support and organize community education events, and participate in community advocacy.

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