Childhood Cancer Canada

The Harper government announced $12 million in funding for childhood cancer research on Wednesday.

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq pictured with Megan Davidson, President & CEO of Childhood Cancer Canada.

Toronto, ON (April 11, 2012) – The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today announced funding from the Harper Government and partners to support research that aims to protect the long-term health of childhood cancer survivors.

 “Our Government is committed to ensuring that childhood cancer patients receive the most effective and appropriate treatments available to them,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “Our goal is to improve the health and quality of life for children who survive cancer.”

Funding from Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and six leading cancer organizations will support four new research teams: two based at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, one based at the Child & Family Research Institute at the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, and another one in Montreal at the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center. These teams will look for ways to reduce the harmful effects of cancer treatment on children, including damage to the brain, heart and other major organs. This highly committed group of researchers all share the same goal: to improve cancer treatment for the benefit of Canadians.

CIHR has partnered with organizations across Canada including Childhood Cancer Canada (through the C17 Council) to support this initiative. This collaborative approach in funding childhood cancer research across Canada mirrors the Foundation’s commitment to work with all the pediatric oncology treatment centres across Canada.

Childhood Cancer Canada (CCC) is the proud primary funder of the C17 (The Council of Pediatric Hematologists/Oncologists). Through the C17 Council they encourage, foster and fund-multi-centre Pan-Canadian research. Much of the increase in survivor outcomes is due to strong collaboration that exists in conducting clinical trials.

There are currently 10,000 kids battling cancer across Canada and approximately 1500 new cases each year. This year is a particularly exciting time for CCC, which is proudly celebrating its 25th anniversary. “We are celebrating an important landmark and hope to fund $1 Million in childhood cancer research through the C17 in 2012,” said Megan Davidson, President and CEO of CCC. “Due to childhood cancer research funding, 82% of these children now survive the disease. We have to continue to work towards not only curing these kids, but to make sure there are kinder and gentler treatments available” she added.