100% Research for 80 Years
In 2025, the Cancer Research Society (CRS) marks a major milestone: 80 years of commitment to supporting cancer research across Canada. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, partners, and volunteers, we have helped advance science and improve the quality of life for those affected by this disease.
true to our mission
In the 1940s, Betty Caplan, pictured above, faced with her mother’s cancer diagnosis, realized that this disease impacts everyone in some way. At a time when no Canadian organization was dedicated exclusively to funding cancer research, she decided to act. Alongside her friends, Etta Kastner, Hattie Rolbin, and Mildred Singer, she founded the Cancer Research Society in 1945. From the very beginning, the CRS had a clear and unwavering mission: to exclusively fund research on all types of cancer to better prevent, detect, and treat the disease.
As early as 1945, Betty Caplan, co-founder and first president of the CRS, reminded us: “Remember, in helping the fight against cancer, you are battling the common enemy.”
By 1946, the CRS awarded its first four research grants of $600 each, amounting to an equivalent of more than $40,000 in 2025. This initial step, driven by a steadfast determination to make a difference, gave rise to an organization that, eight decades later, continues to push the boundaries of science.
Today, the CRS is recognized as a leader in funding for cancer research. Thanks to the generosity of our partners and donors, in 2023-2024 alone, we funded a record-breaking 260 projects, representing an investment of $15.3 million. Since 1945, we have invested a total of $423 million in research.
In 1949, Betty Caplan, president of the CRS, presented a check for $4,000, equivalent to over $53,000 in 2025, to Dr. G. A. Simpson for use by the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Breakthroughs that change lives
Over the decades, research has led to remarkable advancements, improving survival rates for cancer patients. These breakthroughs stem from progress in prevention, more effective and less invasive detection techniques, and increasingly targeted treatments. These scientific advancements define our purpose and drive us to pursue our mission every day.
“Faithful to our mission of preventing, detecting, and treating all types of cancer, we are proud to have funded thousands of research projects, thanks to the generosity of our donors and the rigour of researchers. Today, more than ever, we rely on research to pave the way for new discoveries and improve the lives of thousands of people affected by cancer. “
— Manon Pepin, President and Chief Executive Officer
In 1954, members of the CRS visited the Reddy Memorial Hospital to see the radioactive cobalt machine they helped fund. The CRS has always supported cancer research, notably today through its various funding programs.
Thanks to our donors and partners
As we mark this milestone, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our donors, partners, and volunteers who have contributed to our success. Thanks to your support, research has reached critical milestones, and thousands of patients have received treatments that were once unimaginable.
We also wish to express our deepest gratitude to our Board of Directors, our Scientific Advisory Committee, and all the volunteer researchers actively involved in our evaluation committees. Their expertise, commitment, and dedication are essential to our mission and continued success.
Let’s outsmart cancer together
This anniversary is not only a celebration of our achievements—it is a reminder of the work that still lies ahead. Many challenges remain, and every donation brings us closer to a future where cancer is no longer the leading cause of death in Canada.
Join us in writing the next chapter of our story. With your support, we can go even further and deliver new medical breakthroughs for future generations.
Together, let’s outsmart cancer.
