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(Moncton, N.B.) – March 30, 2016 - The Atlantic Cancer Research Institute (ACRI) today announced the successful completion of a $10 million fundraising campaign, the largest in the Institute’s celebrated 15 year history.
“Over its first fifteen years the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute has had some significant accomplishments and now with the successful completion of this $10 million fundraising campaign the Institute is looking toward an even brighter future,” according to ACRI President Dr. Rodney Ouellette. The focus of the campaign entitled “Cancer Research Saves Lives” was 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 Dr. 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 was 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 was Co-Chaired by two well-known Atlantic Canadians, business leader Aldéa Landry of Moncton and Lee Bragg, Chief Executive Officer of EastLink of Halifax.
“We are thrilled with the success of this campaign for ACRI 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 was 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. “In this campaign Atlantic Canadians have spoken volumes with their financial support that they firmly believe we can be world class in our home region.”
For this campaign hockey legend Bobby Orr served as Honorary Chair, “I was pleased to help out ACRI as Honorary Chair in their campaign. My relationship with ACRI goes back over a decade mainly through our golf tournament hosted by Assumption Life and Lounsbury. 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 is near and dear to my heart and I am so pleased the campaign achieved its objectives.”
The $10 million goal was 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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Atlantic Cancer Research Institute 
Pavillon Hôtel-Dieu
35, Providence Street
Moncton, NB E1C 8X3 Canada

info@canceratl.ca
Tel.: 506-862-7512
Fax.: 506-862-7571

The Atlantic Cancer Research Institute

 (ACRI) is a non-profit organization founded in late 1998 and housed at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton. Thanks to its unique expertise, ACRI has become a true centre of excellence in cancer research.


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