ABOUT US

Making the climb this year means doubling your impact! The funds we raise will allow us to leverage the incredibly generous Hager family’s $5 million gift, the largest gift in the history of the province to pancreatic cancer research.

The History

The Capilano Volkswagen Cypress Challenge began in 2008, organized by Glotman•Simpson Cycling Club, and a group of cyclists looking for a way to give back to the community.

The dedication to find a cure for pancreatic cancer began with Geoff Glotman, an avid cyclist, who was looking for a way to give back to the community. Geoff's mother-in-law had passed away of the disease, giving his family a personal connection to the cause. With so few survivors to advocate for research and funding, the Cypress Challenge was established to raise awareness and support with the hope that more funds for research will lead to improved outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.

It grew to become the largest privately funded fundraising event for pancreatic cancer in Canada and the largest community-based event for BC Cancer Foundation. Today, it’s the Foundation’s signature pancreatic cancer fundraising event. Over its history, the Capilano Volkswagen Cypress Challenge has raised over $5.2 million to support BC Cancer’s cutting-edge pancreatic cancer research.

This incredible event has built strong momentum, transforming the pancreatic cancer research and care landscape in our province, including through:

  • Fuelling the work at Pancreas Centre BC – a dedicated research body focused on advancing care for people facing pancreatic cancer.
  • Helping establish the Pancreatic Cancer Rapid Access Clinic, to consolidate consults, expedite testing, perform genetic profiling at the time of diagnosis and deliver the most effective treatment options to patients.
  • Establishing world-leading understanding of genomic characteristics and gene mutations in pancreatic cancer patients to improve development of targeting agents.
  • Exploring ways to boost the immune system so patients are more sensitive to immunotherapy.
  • Improving screening and identifying patients at risk of developing inherited pancreatic cancer. 
  • Exploring how glucose management can make pancreatic cancer tumours more sensitive to chemotherapy.

The Cause

This year, more than 800 British Columbians will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It’s projected that only 10% (or 80 of those people diagnosed) will live five years.

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect at an early stage and is often resistant to treatment. Although it’s the 10th most common cancer in Canada, it’s the fourth leading cause of cancer death.

Unless more effective treatment strategies are found, pancreatic cancer is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer death in Canada by 2030.

Learn more about the work being performed at BC Cancer and how your dollars will help.

The Hager Family: Changing the Future of Pancreatic Cancer Research

In 2011, Bob Hager faced an untreatable pancreatic cancer diagnosis. His response was to bring together a group of experts from BC Cancer and Vancouver Coastal Health to identify gaps in research and care. This vision led to the creation of Pancreas Centre BC – a world-class, multidisciplinary team from BC Cancer, UBC and VGH to advance research into earlier diagnosis, clinical trials and treatments. Initial funding was donated by Bob and his partners at Phillips, Hager & North Investment Services. Four months later, he passed away.

In November 2022, his wife Judy Hager and their daughters, Leslie Carter and Shelley Ferris, continued Bob’s legacy with a $5 million donation to Pancreas Centre BC. It’s the largest gift to pancreatic cancer research in the history of the province.

When you sign up for Capilano Volkswagen Cypress Challenge, you are helping to make Bob’s vision a reality, as we work to double that $5 million.

Make the climb. Save lives.

Register Now