Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: October 30, 2003
• Invested on: May 14, 2004

Charles Beer played a critical role at a milestone in medical history. In the 1950s, he helped to develop Canada's first anti-cancer drug, Vinblastine, which is still used to treat many cancers, particularly Hodgkin's disease, testicular cancer and breast cancer. Following this major discovery, he continued to offer his research expertise to the BC Cancer Agency and the Medical Research Council of Canada. In 1997, he was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame for his contributions to medical science. He is now Professor Emeritus of biochemistry at the University of British Columbia.