Over its first fifteen years the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute has had some significant accomplishments and now with the launch of a $10 million fundraising campaign the Institute is looking toward an even brighter future.
The focus of the campaign entitled "Cancer Research Saves Lives" is to increase awareness and attract support for cancer research in Atlantic Canada which is important for several reasons. "Atlantic Canada has the highest cancer rates in the country," according to ACRI President Dr. Rodney Ouellette. "In fact one in three Atlantic Canadians will be touched by cancer, something that is very concerning to us as a cancer research institute based in our region. Who better to focus on this issue than Atlantic Canadians?"
"In addition to the alarming cancer statistics in the region, we are the most underfunded area of the country when it comes to research dollars," Dr. Ouellette continued. "This campaign is about finding a cure and improving patient outcomes through research. We are conducting cutting edge research that will contribute to the global efforts on this disease and it is important for Atlantic Canadians to be part of the solutions in the field of cancer. It also allows us to keep our brightest minds in the region."
The Cancer Research Saves Lives Campaign will be Co-Chaired by two well-known Atlantic Canadians, business leader Aldea Landry of Moncton and Lee Bragg, Chief Executive Officer of EastLink of Halifax.
"I am very pleased to be co-chairing this fundraising campaign, because I firmly believe that research saves lives," Mrs. Landry said. "Atlantic Canada holds the record, unfortunately, for the highest rate of cancer in the country. Therefore, it is most important, it is urgent even, that we support research that is being conducted here, in our region, by our very own Atlantic Cancer Research Institute."
"This campaign is about Atlantic Canadians standing up to be counted when it comes to international calibre cancer research that is done here, in our region, by men and women who choose to call Atlantic Canada home," Bragg said. "That is why I'm involved and why I am confident our campaign will be successful."
For this campaign hockey legend Bobby Orr has accepted to serve as Honorary Chair, "I am pleased to help out ACRI as Honorary Chair in their upcoming charity campaign. My relationship with ACRI goes back over a decade mainly through our golf tournament hosted by Assumption Life and Lounsburys. I have seen firsthand the growth of ACRI and the impact of the research they conduct. The funds raised will support their research and ultimately benefit patients that are faced with cancer. This cause near and dear to my heart and I am confident that we will attain and surpass our objectives."
The $10 million goal will be made up of $5 million in donations from individuals and companies with another $5 million from research grant funding raised by the ACRI researchers.
Over the last 15 years, ACRI has become a true centre of excellence in cancer research. "Our scientists are working with partners in Canada and around the world to understand cancer biology and use that knowledge to improve patient care through improvement in early detection, enhanced diagnosis and targeted treatment," Dr. Ouellette said. The multidisciplinary research team has grown to over 50 people with expertise in genomics, proteomics, molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, bioinformatics, pathology, medicinal chemistry and mass spectrometry.
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