Andy Chabot served as President and CEO of the Cancer Research Society (CRS) for 10 years, from 2008 to 2017.
Mr. Chabot is a cancer survivor. Alongside his daughter Léna, they wish to express their gratitude to the scientific community that saved his life and to encourage young students to pursue a career in cancer research.
The Andy & Léna Chabot Fund aims to advance science and promote scientific leadership. Funds raised support scholarships for undergraduate students to undertake cancer research internships under the supervision of recognized researchers who have received grants from the Cancer Research Society (CRS). The goal is to inspire these students through this experience to continue in this field, contributing to better understanding and outsmarting cancer.
I created this Fund to support young researchers’ training. This generation of future scientists is the generation that will accomplish the next breakthroughs in elucidating cancer mechanisms and accelerating the discoveries of innovative therapies.
Since the creation of this Fund in 2018, I have become a mother of three children. We are grateful to life and science for the precious moments we can spend as a family with my father, who has regained his health thanks to research. I hope that other individuals and families can have this opportunity. I see this Fund as a wonderful initiative that not only supports the future generation of scientists but also inspires others to actively support cancer research by donating to the Fund.
Since its creation in 2018, this Research Fund has empowered more than 10 students to complete a four-month internship in a research laboratory, under the supervision of researchers who have received an Operating Grant from CRS. This initiative has not only provided valuable hands-on experience to students but has also contributed to the advancement of cancer research by fostering the development of young talent in the field.
The Andy & Léna Chabot studentship has provided me with the opportunity to participate in research on glioblastoma (brain cancer) and to contribute to the identification of biomarkers with therapeutic potential. Thanks to this studentship, I have been able to collaborate with many esteemed scientists in the field of cancer research across Canada. This has further developed my skills, exposed me to the latest innovations, and fostered a passion and drive for a career in oncology research, drug discovery, and medical innovation.
The Andy & Léna Chabot studentship has been an invaluable experience that solidified my passion for cancer research. I gained hands-on exposure to cancer biology and laboratory techniques, enhancing both my technical skills and critical thinking. This internship deepened my understanding of the complexities of cancer and the challenges in developing treatments. With a family member affected by a precancerous condition, this experience has motivated me to pursue medical and graduate studies in cancer research, with the ultimate goal of contributing to innovative therapies that improve patient outcomes. I am deeply grateful to the donors for supporting this transformative opportunity.