My Community – British Columbia
Celebrate the CLF and learn about your Region!
The Canadian Liver Foundation British Columbia/Yukon Region needs your help bringing liver research to life through awareness campaigns, health fairs, education forums, and fundraisers. Whether you or a loved one have been impacted by liver disease, or simply because you have seen the growth of people living with liver disease in your community and are looking to make a difference, we need you to get involved!
We host many impactful events throughout the year, and this is only possible with the continuous support of volunteers, as well as the generous support of our sponsors and donors. Our annual events in the BC Region include the LIVERight Health Forum, the STROLL For LIVER, and the LIVERight Gala. We are also very fortunate to have numerous third-party events organized by community groups throughout the year in support of our vision of a world free of liver disease.
In addition to hosting educational presentations throughout the community, we also attend numerous education forums and health fairs throughout the year helping raise awareness of the impact of liver disease as well as the prevention and treatment of different types of liver diseases. If you are interested in having us present to a local community group, or a school or business, please get in touch with us, and we’d be happy to make it happen! We are continuously on the lookout for volunteers who are interested in presenting to different community groups or attending local health fairs on behalf of the CLF to help us spread the word about liver health and the importance of liver research throughout BC.
In Memory of Dr.
Francis Ho
It is with great sadness and deepest sympathy that we commemorate Dr. Francis Ho, our beloved and faithful . Throughout his life and as a family physician for over fifty years, he was incredibly dedicated to making a positive impact on his community.
He tirelessly spent much of his time over the past several decades serving others, volunteering his skillsets and leadership with various health, community and religious organizations including the: Mount Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, Children’s Variety Club, Parish Council of Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Parish, Kung Kuo Foundation, Vancouver Medical Association, Ho’s Benevolence Association, UBC Medicine interCultural Online Health Network project, and the Vancouver General Hospital Fundraising Committee.
From the year 2014 until his passing, he served as the President of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Liver Foundation BC Yukon Region. During this time, he also had the vision, founded and served as the Co-chair for our Hep Beware Project, a free hepatitis B screening program targeted at the Asian communities. Through his leadership we were able to bring the much-needed awareness to liver diseases and the impact they can have on Canadians.
Dr. Francis Ho was a true educator, sharing his medical expertise for almost two decades on television, radio and our annual LIVERight Health Forum. He not only taught but engaged his audience allowing for lengthy question and answer periods. He wanted his teachings to have a positive effect and transform people’s lives.
Dr. Francis Ho was both as charismatic as he was influential. He was loved by many. We recall countless times at our events when people clamoured for his attention so that they can take photographs with him; it was like meeting a celebrity to them. He had the uncanny ability to connect with people and encouraged them to volunteer, to donate, and most importantly, to take better care of themselves. Much of our fundraising can be attributed to him, as our region raised over $4 million dollars since he joined in 2014 to fund liver research and support educational initiatives.
We have the distinct privilege and honour to have served under the leadership of Dr. Francis Ho. During our meetings and events, he shared his valuable experiences, insights and wealth of knowledge. He demonstrated for us all a lofty example to follow, starting with the passion to serve others and a heart for change. We wish to express our utmost gratitude to him, by continuing the work with the Canadian Liver Foundation that he was unwaveringly committed to, bringing liver research to life.
We offer our sincerest and deepest condolences to his family; may God truly grant you all peace during your time of mourning. Dr. Francis Ho will truly be missed by all of us.
Your Regional Office and Contacts
Suite 109 – 828 W 8th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Z 1E2
Tel: (604) 707-6430
Toll Free: 1 (800) 856-7266
Monica Chui
Director, Development and Community Engagement
mchui@liver.ca
John Flores
Regional Coordinator,
BC/Yukon
jflores@liver.ca
The Peer Support Network
You are not alone!
When you are coping with a serious illness, it helps to have someone to talk to who can empathize with what you’re going through and keep it confidential.
Our Peer Support Network connects people living with liver disease with a network of volunteers who are willing to listen or share their personal experience about living with liver disease.
This program was developed by the Canadian Liver Foundation as a means to link Canadians who have been diagnosed with a liver disease, have a family member who has liver disease or care for someone who suffers from liver disease to talk about your concerns in a safe environment with a peer who has had a similar experience.
If you would like to be connected with a Peer Supporter in your area, or would like to join the Peer Support Network, please fill out the Peer Support Network Sign-up Form.
Health Promotion
Led by Dr. Francis Ho and Dr. Peter Kwan,The Hep Beware project is the first of its kind in Canada, and involves the cooperation of physicians, nurses, and volunteers who specifically focus on those living with chronic hepatitis B and may be unaware of their status. Advocacy for early diagnosis is a major component of this project. Earlier diagnoses of liver diseases can lead to earlier treatments and eventually, can save lives.
During phase one of the Hep Beware Project, The Canadian Liver Foundation surpassed its goal of screening 2,000 individuals from the Chinese and Filipino community, who were unaware of their hepatitis B status. Throughout 2018, The Hep Beware project organized 30 screening weekend events. The tests are free of cost and they took place at accessible public places (including community centers, churches, malls and schools). This project wound’t be possible without the support of a dedicated team of over 100 supporters, including donors, volunteers, CLF staff, physicians, nurses, community workers, lab technicians, researchers, reporters and columnists. Thank you all for your support.
Phase two was completed in 2019.
Support Programs and Services
The LIVERight Health Forums. Free educational events for people who are living with liver disease, their family and caregivers; and those who are at risk of liver disease; as well as students who wish to pursue a profession in the health care/medical field. For future LIVERight Health Forum information please contact us at 1 (888) 856-7266.
The National Help Line. This help line gives you and your loved one somewhere to turn for answers after diagnosis, helps you understand your disease, and provides you with the resources you need. You can call 1 (800) 563-5483 Monday to Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM PST or email us.
The Peer Support Network. This program is a national network of people living with liver disease who have offered to share their experiences with others. It was developed by the Canadian Liver Foundation as a means to link Canadians who have been diagnosed with a liver disease, have a family member who has liver disease or cares for someone who suffers from liver disease to talk about your concerns in a safe environment with a peer who has had a similar experience.
If you would like to be connected with a Peer Supporter in your area, or would like to join the Peer Support Network, please fill out the Peer Support Network Sign-up Form