New historic research funding program
Canadian Cancer Society announces details of historic research funding program to transform low-survival cancers.
In a grant competition co-developed with patients, survivors and caregivers, these 10 research teams are poised to make life-saving breakthroughs in pancreatic, esophageal, brain, lung, liver and stomach cancers.
March 31, 2023 (Toronto, ON)
New research grants announced today by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) in partnership with Brain Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Cancer Research Society and the Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation are bringing together high-performance, interdisciplinary teams to accelerate progress against 6 low-survival cancers. The grants program – called the CCS Breakthrough Team Grants: Transforming Low-Survival Cancers – represents the largest ever collective effort in Canada focused on changing outcomes for pancreatic, esophageal, brain, lung, liver and stomach cancers.
Over the last 30 years, tremendous progress has been made against many cancers, with the predicted 5-year survival for several of them now surpassing 80%. However, fewer than 30% of people diagnosed in Canada with one of these 6 low-survival cancers are expected to survive 5 years or more. In 2022 alone, an estimated 41% of all cancer deaths in Canada were due to one of these 6 cancers.
These low survival rates are due to many reasons, including a lack of identifiable risk factors, insufficient early detection technologies and fewer effective treatment options. To transform outcomes for people with pancreatic, esophageal, brain, lung, liver and stomach cancers, more action-oriented research is urgently needed.
”Cancer Research Society is very proud to partner with CCS and Brain Canada to support one highly transformational research project that will impact clinical care for brain cancer patients.”
– Dajan O’Donnell, PhD, Director, Scientific Affairs and Partnerships at the Cancer Research Society
The Canadian Cancer Society:
The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save and improve lives. We fund the brightest minds in cancer research. We provide a compassionate support system for all those affected by cancer, across Canada and for all types of cancer. As the voice for people who care about cancer, we work with governments to shape a healthier society. No other organization does all that we do to make lives better today and transform the future of cancer forever. Help us make a difference.
Brain Canada:
Brain Canada plays a unique and invaluable role as a national convenor of those who support and advance brain research. A greater understanding of how the brain works contributes to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of disorders of the brain, ultimately improving the health outcomes of people in Canada and around the world.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research:
At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada’s health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.
The Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation:
Established in 1962, the Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation is a charitable foundation located in Vancouver, BC. The foundation makes grants to qualified educational and charitable organizations in correspondence to the objectives established by the Hechts in their lifetimes.