Skip to content

Richmond businessman donates $1.5M to B.C. lung cancer research

Donald Leong and his wife, Julia, founders of Richmond-based Donald Fine Foods, made a donation of $1.5 million to BC Cancer Foundation on Monday for lung cancer research.
Donald Leung
Donald Leung, founders of Richmond-based Donald Fine Foods, donated $1.5 million to BC Cancer Foundation this week. Photo: BMO.com

Donald Leong and his wife, Julia, founders of Richmond-based Donald Fine Foods, made a donation of $1.5 million to BC Cancer Foundation on Monday for lung cancer research.

The donation will propel lung cancer research with new equipment, as well as a chemo prevention program under Dr. Stephen Lam, whose research focuses on the early detection, chemoprevention and endoscopic therapy of lung cancer.

“We hope this gift will inspire others in the community to do their part to give back no matter how large or small the gift is. It all makes a difference,” said Donald in a BC Cancer Foundation report.

“I always said to my family, we should always try to help others and give back to our community.”

The couple moved to Canada in the 1970s from Hong Kong and worked various labourer jobs, before starting a hog processing and meat wholesale business 25 years ago.

The company now provides meat products to more than 25 countries and has 800 employees across Canada.

According to the association, the Leung family, who “are no stranger to the disease,” understand how important research is in advancing treatment and care, and have set their sights on improving cancer outcomes through philanthropy.

Donald turned down the Richmond News’ interview request to “keep a low profile” about this donation.

According to a Sing Tao story, the Leung family also gifted $1 million to VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation last week to support its surgical research.