​One in two British Columbians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. By 2027, it is anticipated that one in three of those new diagnoses will be from people living in the Fraser Health Authority area - 56 per cent greater than the number of new cases expected for Vancouver Coastal Health in the same timeframe. Today the Honourable Premier John Horgan, along with the Honourable Minister Dix, Fraser Health president and CEO Dr. Victoria Lee, and BC Cancer chief medical officer Dr. Kim Nguyen Chi announced plans for a new BC Cancer centre to serve one of the fastest growing regions in Canada. 

"Cancer is a very complex disease requiring specialized infrastructure and equipment. While B.C. has some of the best outcomes in Canada, we must continue to build provincial capacity to ensure we are meeting the needs of our population," said Benoit Morin, president and chief executive officer, Provincial Health Services Authority. 

Surrey is the second most populated city in B.C. and one of Canada's fastest growing communities. The addition will add more capacity to support communities in the Fraser Health Authority catchment as well as add provincial capacity. 

"As a two-time cancer survivor, I have spent a lot of time at BC Cancer - Surrey and consider myself an advocate for patients," says Pat Petrala who received her first cancer diagnosis in 2011 and her second in 2013. "As a senior living in White Rock, transportation to get to the centre regularly was a concern for me. Today's announcement brings care closer to home for people like myself and improves access to cancer services for my community." 

The new hospital and BC Cancer centre will be built in Cloverdale beside the Kwantlen Polytechnic University campus. 

"BC Cancer - Surrey opened 25 years ago and we have been an important part of the community for decades," said Dr. Kim Nguyen Chi, vice president and chief medical officer, BC Cancer. "We all know someone who has been touched by cancer. Our talented and dedicated staff don't just provide cancer care; they provide support during a very difficult and stressful time for most people. Our second centre in Surrey shows a commitment to providing person-centred care and supporting people where they are in the community."

Learn more about the new cancer centre here.