Gino De Pieri spent his life being a caregiver. Both Gino’s father and mother suffered life-ending strokes, and his younger sister had terminal leukemia. Tirelessly dedicated, Gino cared for them until their final days.

Even though Gino passed away three years ago from a rare form of cancer, his legacy continues his tradition of taking care of others. In his will, Gino left a generous gift to help the Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant (L/BMT) Program of BC, based at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) in recognition of the amazing care provided to Silvana Pezzutti, his late sister.

“Gino wanted to honour the family name and Silvana by giving to this area,” explains Franco De Pieri, Gino’s younger cousin. “He wanted to make a difference to people with cancer.”

The L/BMT Program provides care for all adults in British Columbia and the Yukon who need stem cell transplants. The team also looks after patients with blood cancers such as leukemia.

“This generous gift is greatly appreciated by the L/BMT Program and the Division,” says Dr. Stephen Nantel, Head, Division of Hematology.

“It will enable our team to participate in important new initiatives that will have a big impact on patient care.”

Gino’s gift will help a range of areas, including participation in a national trial with a promising new anti-leukemic drug and the recruitment of a new Clinician Scientist specializing in leukemia and stem cell transplant.

Gino’s gift will have a significant impact for British Columbians with blood cancers. Franco says Gino would have wanted that.

Join donors like Gino and make a difference for patients – today and into the future. Learn more about Legacy Giving.