“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
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
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
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Jane Remocker
CO-FOUNDER/PAST CHAIR
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Allison Mindlin, MSc
SECRETARY
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Damien Eddy
FINANCIAL OFFICER
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Joanna Sanchez
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Medical Advisory Board
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Dr. Rona Cheifetz, MD
MEDICAL LEAD, BC CANCER HIGH RISK CLINIC
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Dr. Lesa Dawson, MD
MEDICAL LEAD, BC SURVIVORSHIP CLINIC
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Dr. Karen Gelmon, MD
MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST, UBC PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE
Support Staff
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Catriona Remocker-Eddy
CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
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Nikoo Shayegan
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
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Neve Eilam
EVALUATION AND PROJECTS ASSISTANT
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Eva Leitin
DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
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Tammy Stothers
PROJECT MANAGER
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Sylvia Wvong
BOOKKEEPER
Volunteer Contributors
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Annika Chambers
PAST VOLUNTEER CONTENT WRITER
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Tammy Stothers
PAST VOLUNTEER CONTENT WRITER
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Tovah Carr
PAST COMMITTEE MEMBER
Community Partners
OUR STRATEGIC PLAN
OUR STRATEGIC PLAN
Our current strategic plan outlines the committee’s ongoing activities and work in the community.
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.