Photo courtesy Lucara Diamond
Cancer research in the Great White North has received a boost in funding, thanks, in part, to a donation from a Canadian diamond miner.
Lucara Diamond, a Vancouver-based mining company, and HB Antwerp jointly sponsored a diamond raffle draw at this year’s virtual Daffodil Ball, an annual fundraising event in support of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS).
As contribution, the groups donated a set of 2.06-carat brilliant cut diamond earrings, valued at $69,000.
“Lucara is focused on addressing a broad range of specific needs within our communities of interest in Botswana, but as a Canadian company, the Canadian Cancer Society continues to be our top priority at home,” says the company’s president and CEO, Eira Thomas. “Cancer affects us all, no matter where we live and work around the world, and Lucara is committed to supporting the great work of the Canadian Cancer Society in its quest to conquer this insidious disease.”
This year’s Daffodil Ball raised more than $1.2 million. The proceeds, CCS says, will support the charity’s new Centre for Cancer Prevention and Support (CCPS), a national hub of research and innovation, located in the heart of Vancouver’s health district.
“CCS has a rich legacy of fuelling discoveries that have improved how we prevent, diagnose, treat, and live with and beyond cancer, but to drive real change for the nearly one in two Canadians who will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, we must accelerate progress,” says the charity’s CEO, Andrea Seale. “We are grateful for the tremendous support of our generous donors at the Daffodil Ball, whose funds in support of CCPS will give Canadians improved access to new cancer prevention and support programs that improve both their physical and mental health, and address their unmet needs.”
Since 1997, the Daffodil Ball has raised more than $20 million for the cancer cause.
