Abbotsford AbbotsfordNews News Tuesday, Tuesday, December December 18, 18, 2012 2012
Holmberg family donates $100,000 Will provide radiation therapy equipment at BC Cancer Agency
Abbotsford philanthropist Dave Holmberg has made a $100,000 donation to the BC Cancer Foundation in support of high-tech radiation therapy equipment at the BC Cancer Agency Abbotsford Centre. Cancer has deeply impacted the Holmberg family. Just 18 months after losing his eldest son, David Jr., to brain cancer, Holmberg received a diagnosis of multiple myeloma – a cancer of the plasma cells. He has now completed treatment, which consisted of 27 rounds of radiation therapy from BC Cancer Agency specialists, who Holmberg describes as “highly skilled and compassionate.” A community leader in the agricultural equipment business for 45 years, Holmberg said he was motivated to make the $100,000 gift because he knows the importance of having the best equipment available. He also recognizes the world-leading advancements in cancer knowledge and care occurring in B.C. and believes in the value of research.
A clinical trial gave David Jr. 17 months of added time with his family until he passed away at age 48. “I have no doubt that the clinical trial treatments gave David extra time,” Holmberg said. “Anything we can do as a public to help move research forward is truly important.” More than 1,000 patients are treated with radiation therapy at the Abbotsford Centre each year. “Radiation therapy is a critical component in cancer care, which is ever-advancing,” said Dr. Nisar Ahmed, radiation oncology leader at BC Cancer Agency in Abbotsford. “This generous gift from the Holmberg family will help ensure we have the latest, most technologically advanced systems for our patients in Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley.” The Holmberg family also made a recent $500,000 donation to the Abbotsford Hospice Society’s adult hospice, named Holmberg House in memory of Dave Jr. That facility will be located on the Campus of Care project adjacent to Abbotsford Regional Hospital and is expected to open in the spring or summer of 2014.
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NewsBytes school security addressed Abbotsford school district staff and staff at local schools will be reviewing their emergency operating procedures, following the shooting massacre of 26 children and adults at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. Kevin Godden, school district superintendent, responded to the tragedy in a letter to parents on Friday afternoon. Godden said staff will review emergency procedures, including intruder alerts and lockdowns, to ensure “we are all up-todate and vigilant.” He advised parents to guard preschool and elementary-aged children from exposure to media reports about the shooting, and to watch for signs that kids might need support. He said school counsellors are available to assist any child with questions or concerns. “It is understandable that there will be some anxiety about this incident,” he said. The letter, and an accompanying tip sheet to help kids in times of grief, can be found on the school district website at sd34.bc.ca.
golf course continues
JOHN MORROW Abbotsford News
A convoy of vehicles in the Fraser Valley Auto Mall Food Drive, held in partnership with Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service and Save-On-Foods, made its way to the Abbotsford Food Bank and Christmas Bureau on Saturday, delivering a record-breaking eight tons of donations.
Fundraising goal at halfway point From A1
100 more hampers than they did for last year’s holiday campaign, and there were none left heading into the busiest period – the week before Christmas. But Murray said more will be prepared, using donations from the auto mall food drive, as well as from school food drives wrapping up this week. The demand on toys and gifts has also been strong. “Our toy stock is virtually depleted. We’re usually left with about a year’s supply, but we’re going to go into next Christmas (with empty shelves),”
Murray said. Gifts for pre-teens and teens are particularly needed, although Murray recommends that people designate cash for gifts because the food bank can make it go further. For example, he can buy gift cards in bulk and receive some for free. Murray said his biggest concern is with the food bank’s fundraising goal. Funds from the weekend were still being tallied, but Murray estimated that the $600,000 goal hadn’t yet reached the halfway point. “I’m concerned. It would be nice to be at about $100,000 more than we are,” he said. Funds raised during the Christmas sea-
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son support programs and services at the food bank all year long. To make a donation or for more information, visit abbotsfordchristmasbureau.org, call 604859-5749 or visit 33914 Essendene Ave. Meanwhile, the Salvation Army has set a $500,000 fundraising goal. Donations can be made at red kettles around town, online at careandshare.ca, by phone at 604-852-9305 or in person at 34081 Gladys Ave. The Sally Ann also has its Angel Tree program at Sevenoaks Shopping Centre. The public is invited to take a child’s tag from the tree, purchase a gift and then return it unwrapped.
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Despite some serious financial hardships, the Ledgeview Golf Society has decided to continue operating Abbotsford’s Ledgeview Golf Course. The interim board of directors held a members’ meeting on Saturday to discuss the decision. After running the course successfully for the past 30 years, the club lost $112,000 in 2010, $240,000 in 2011 and is expecting to lose $150,000 this year. The group was created in 1978 to run the cityowned public golf facility. In May, the city granted Ledgeview $115,000, including $65,000 in rent forgiveness and $50,000 toward capital improvements. The new board is currently trying to restructure the organization. If the society’s financial situation does not improve, the group would eventually have to shut down and leave the facility’s operation to the City of Abbotsford.
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