With the population of Surrey steadily rising, more people in the region are also being diagnosed with cancer.

But, through community donations, the BC Cancer Foundation was able to expand its treatment centre in Surrey this week.

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As of Tuesday, the expanded chemotherapy suite at BC Cancer – Surrey is now open, increasing the centre’s treatment capacity by 20 per cent.

Executive Medical Director Dr. Sylvie Bourque says that means more patients can receive chemotherapy more quickly and closer to home.

“It improves their treatment — the quality of their treatment. It decreases their anxiety,” Bourque explained.

“Knowing that you have cancer inside your body and having to wait for treatment is horrible.”

BC Cancer says the six additional treatment chairs allow for around 370 patients every month to begin therapy sooner.

Being the fastest-growing area in B.C., the Fraser Health Region sees over 10,000 new cancer diagnoses each year.

Dr. Roy Jackson, an OBGYN at Peace Arch Hospital, was diagnosed with Stage-4 melanoma in 2023.

He’s been receiving immunotherapy at BC Cancer for more than two years.

“I usually go once a month for an intravenous infusion. My day is usually Thursday. But, at times, the ambulatory unit — which is the systemic-therapy unit — is so busy that they are not able to accommodate me on Thursdays, and I’ve sometimes had to go on a Saturday or another day,” Jackson explained.

He says the psychological impacts of cancer care are just as important as the medical side.

“Just the fact that they can have treatment on a regular basis at the time they expect is important for their psychology and their mental morale.”

The expansion was fully funded by the BC Cancer Foundation, with help from more than 500 donors who raised $1.4 million.

Executive Director Susan Schroeder says the new chairs also require staffing.

“We have been fortunate enough to maneuver some funding and be able to get additional nurses, pharmacists, and clerks,” said Schroeder.

Patients began receiving treatment in the new suite Tuesday morning.