About Us

Catriona and Jane Remocker

Who We Are

We are a group of individuals concerned about the effect of the BRCA genes on the Jewish community in British Columbia and creating initiatives that serve both men and women at risk.

Founded in 2018 by Jane and Catriona Remocker, in honour of the late Dr. Geoffrey Remocker, who passed away in 2016, BRCAinBC BRCA Awareness and Education Society is made up of passionate community members, medical and health professionals and researchers, experts in genetic cancers, health promotion professionals, and Jewish advocacy professionals.

Our work is supported by the generosity of community organizations, institutions and private members of the community, including BC Cancer’s Hereditary Cancer Program, AstraZeneca Canada, Congregation Beth Israel, the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, InspireHealth Community Cancer Care, UBC Medicine, the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, the Znaimer Family Foundation and the Diamond Family Philanthropic Fund as well as many private citizens and donors.

Current initiatives include:

  • The Get BRCA Wise genetic testing campaign, which removes the family history requirement for people in the BC Jewish community to test for BRCA gene mutations

  • The Dinner and Dialogue Initiative, supported by the Michael Smith Health Research Foundation, which aims to develop innovation mechanisms to engage young people in the community in thinking about their health and managing hereditary cancer risk

  • The BRCA Support BC Virtual Support Group, funded by UBC Community Engagement and the Diamond Family Foundation, a pilot virtual support and education group for BRCA+ individuals and their supportive community

  • The BRCAinBC community building initiative, which aims to create vibrant mechanisms of education for the community on hereditary cancer risks, supported by AstraZeneca Canada

What We Do

At BRCAinBC, our mission is to empower individuals with Jewish heritage to understand and manage their hereditary cancer risks. We are dedicated to raising awareness, providing education, and supporting proactive health decisions through community engagement, resources, and advocacy. Our goal is to foster a well-informed community where individuals can confidently navigate their genetic health and contribute to the prevention and early detection of hereditary cancers.

The organization was born out of the recognition that many members of our Jewish community in BC are not aware of the elevated risk of carrying BRCA genes in the Jewish community and the risk of genetically-linked cancers in BRCA+ people of all genders.

We hope that our work will improve awareness among community members and health professionals, will educate community members about genetic testing options and will reduce the fears and stigma that can surround genetic testing. We also hope to support improvements in access to genetic testing through the BC for members of the Jewish community and protect carriers from potential negative consequences related to discovering their positive carrier status. Finally, we are committed to gender equality in our work and aim to destigmatize BRCA for male carriers in our community. Ultimately, this group stands for the conviction that knowledge is power when it comes to BRCA.

Meet Our Team

  • Jane Remocker

    Jane Remocker

    CO-FOUNDER/CO-CHAIR

  • Dr. Beti Thompson

    Dr. Beti Thompson, PhD

    CO-CHAIR

  • Dr. Rona Cheifetz

    Dr. Rona Cheifetz, MD

    BOARD MEMBER-AT-LARGE/BC CANCER PARTNER

  • Dr. Lesa Dawson

    Dr. Lesa Dawson, MD

    BOARD MEMBER-AT-LARGE/UBC PARTNER

  • Allison Mindlin

    Allison Mindlin, MSc

    BOARD MEMBER-AT-LARGE

  • Lanaiah Menzies

    BOARD MEMBER-AT-LARGE

  • Catriona Remocker

    Catriona Remocker, MPH

    CO-FOUNDER/MANAGING DIRECTOR

  • Nikoo Shayegan

    SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

  • Annika Chambers

    COMMITTEE MEMBER/VOLUNTEER

  • Tovah Carr

    Tovah Carr

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

  • Neve Eilam

    Evaluation Assistant/Project Manager

  • Eva Leitin

    Community Engagement Specialist/Ambassador

Our Community Partners and Supporters

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN

Our current strategic plan outlines the committee’s ongoing activities and work in the community.

Get Involved or Donate!

Do you want to get involved or make a donation to support BRCAinBC?

We are always looking for people who are passionate to support our work in the community. There are opportunities to join our committee, participate in fundraising activities, support and organize community education events, and participate in community advocacy.