MOHCCN News

2025 Kicks Off with Major Milestones for Our Network!: A letter from Dr. André Veillette

Dr. André Veillette, Executive Director for Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network shares exciting updates from across the network

Dear colleagues, 

I’m writing to you today to share exciting news from across our Network! 

As you know, we’ve been continuously growing and evolving since operations officially began in 2021. Now, we are now seeing a steady acceleration of that growth—and we couldn’t be more excited about what this growth means for our Network!  

Below are some examples of some of the incredible milestones we hit together over the last few months: 
 

  • FINISH IT: On Tuesday, Feb. 4 (World Cancer Day), the Terry Fox Research Institute and the Terry Fox Foundation launched Finish It, a new brand platform that reflects how Canadians from all walks of life are coming together to finish what Terry started 45 years ago. The new brand platform includes a stunning video with a never-before-heard version of the song Courage, by The Tragically Hip, and points to the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network as the way in which we are carrying Terry’s legacy forward. This new campaign marks the beginning of an exciting new era for our Network, as it seeks to become a household name across Canada. 

 

 

  • Patient Voices in Research Initiative: Last December, we announced that 10 outstanding research teams across the country will receive a total of $1.8M over the next year to address gaps and disparities in care, access and treatment identified by members of our Patient Working Group. To our knowledge, this is the first cancer research funding program in Canada to be fully designed, delivered and adjudicated BY cancer patients FOR cancer patients.  
  • Milestone reached: We are proud to announce that our Gold Cohort has now surpassed 7,600 cases with full genomes sequenced, meaning we have officially crossed the halfway mark in our mission to build Canada’s largest and most complete cancer case resource! This achievement reflects the collective effort of our Network and reinforces our commitment to generating high-quality cancer data that will drive precision medicine forward. 
  • Network Growth: Our Network continues to expand! In the last month alone, three new institutions have joined, bringing our total membership to 42 institutions from coast to coast. Each new member strengthens our ability to collaborate, share expertise, and accelerate progress in cancer research and care. 

 

None of these achievements would be possible without the dedication of the patients, researchers, clinicians, administrators and donors who contribute their data, knowledge and resources to advance precision medicine in Canada through our Network. Your hard work and commitment continue to fuel this national movement, and we are incredibly grateful to you. 

Thank you for working with us to finish what Terry started 45 years ago! 

Sincerely, 
 
Dr. André Veillette 
Executive Director, 
Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network 

 

Other News 

New projects announced

Network Voices 

  • “I can’t help but dream of a future where cancer is not a life altering diagnosis” Summer Konechny was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, the same cancer Terry Fox had. Now, she’s sharing her data – and her story – so precision medicine can bring new hope for herself and for others. Read her story. 

  • Watch our new Network Voice Conversations episode. In the second episode of this series, Natalie Kwadrans and Rosilene Kraft, members of our Patient Working Group, chat with Dr. Janessa Laskin, a BC-based oncologist and researcher, about the current state of precision medicine in Canada, and how the Network is working to bring it to more cancer patients. 

 

Team Canada of Cancer Research 

  • Dr. J. Patrick Murphy is a cancer researcher and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at University of Prince Edward Island, whose research focuses on cancer metabolism. In this Q&A, Dr. Murphy talks about his unconventional path into cancer research, the exciting discoveries emerging from his lab and the importance of collaboration through the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network. 

  • Dr. Robin Urquhart’s upbringing in rural Newfoundland and her personal connection to cancer have shaped her research. Learn more about how and why she’s working to ensure equitable access to high-quality cancer care for all Canadians, in this researcher profile. 

 Research highlights 

  • New computational tool provides clues on how to target cancers with KMT2D mutations. A new study led by Dr. Marco Marra describes a strategy for identifying potential novel treatment targets in cancers driven by the loss of genes that are classified as tumour suppressors. 

 Upcoming events 

  • Cancer is Personal: Humanizing precision medicine in Atlantic Canada. The Atlantic Cancer Consortium's Patient Advisory Committee is holding a free, public conference on March 15. The event will include presentations from patients, healthcare providers, leaders, and researchers, and a keynote from Darrell Fox, Senior Advisor at the Terry Fox Research Institute and Terry's younger brother. Register now. 

  • MOHCCN Seminar Series. The first event of the third season of the MOHCCN Seminar Series will take place on March 20 at 12 p.m. ET and will feature presentations from MOHCCN researchers in Ontario. Stay tuned for an invitation to register! 

 

 

we’ve been continuously growing and evolving since operations officially began in 2021. Now, we are now seeing a steady acceleration of that growth—and we couldn’t be more excited about what this growth means for our Network!

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