Photo: CTV Vancouver

The BC Cancer Foundation has received an $18.34-million donation from an anonymous donor.

The enormous donation will go towards a molecular imaging and therapeutics program, which will develop radiopharmaceuticals (drugs with radioactivity) through clinical trials.

"Emerging research proves that radioactive particles can deliver drugs directly to the site of metastatic cancers, killing the cancer cells and saving the healthy tissue surrounding them," the foundation said.

Meanwhile, the number of new cancer cases in B.C. is expected to increase by 40 per cent over the next 10 years.

The first trials will focus on men with incurable prostate cancer.

The foundation believes research from the trial will lead to new treatments for melanoma, breast, ovarian, pancreatic and blood cancers.

"Today marks an important moment in cancer research and care in Canada, with one of the largest donations ever made to bring new treatment solutions to patients," foundation president Sarah Roth said.

– with files from CTV Vancouver