Non-smoking Chilliwack realtor who died of lung cancer a tireless advocate for radon awareness
Jill Hall one of two B.C. realtors being honoured in B.C. Real Estate Association's public awareness campaign about second-leading cause of lung cancer
November 4, 2026
No one has raised awareness in the Fraser Valley about the danger of radon gas more than late Chilliwack realtor Jill Hall.
A non-smoker, Hall died of lung cancer this year. Before she died, she was a strong voice raising awareness about the colourless, odourless but radioactive gas that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in Canadians.
This week the BC Real Estate Association (BCREA), BC Lung Foundation, and Real Estate Foundation of BC launched a third annual Radon Gas Public Awareness Campaign dedicated to the memory of Jill Hall and Tina Mak, who also passed away earlier this year.
After being diagnosed with lung cancer as non-smokers, both Jill and Tina became tireless advocates for radon awareness, creating content or giving interviews, speaking to peer groups, and working with experts to help British Columbians understand and act on the risks of radon.
Building on Jill and Tina's advocacy, the 2026 Radon Gas Public Awareness Campaign will use digital advertising on multiple platforms to direct the public to RadonKills.ca/BC, where they can learn about testing their homes and addressing elevated radon levels.
“Jill Hall and Tina Mak inspired all of us at BCREA, devoting hours of their own time to raising radon awareness,” said BCREA CEO Trevor Koot in a news release issued Nov. 2. “We’re proud to carry on this work in their honour.”
Despite traditionally low public awareness, radon is a threat to homeowners and their families not just in British Columbia, but across the country. About one in five homes in Canada is estimated to have radon levels at or above the Canadian guideline. Exposure to the colourless, odourless radioactive gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in Canadians after smoking, estimated to cause more than 3,000 lung cancer deaths in the country each year.
Radon levels are typically highest during the heating season, between October and April, making Radon Action Month in November an important time to raise awareness and encourage British Columbians to test their homes.
“Testing your home is simple and is the first step in keeping you and your family safe,” said BC Lung Foundation President & CEO Christopher Lam. “Every home is different; your radon level can vary significantly from your neighbours, and the only way to know is to test.”
In memory of Jill Hall and Tina Mak, BCREA, the BC Lung Foundation, and the Real Estate Foundation of BC encourage all British Columbians to learn more, test their homes, and protect themselves and their families. Visit RadonKills.ca/BC for more information.
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Paul J. Henderson
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