Innovative research program created by cancer patients is first of its kind to address gaps in precision oncology

CALGARY, AB, July 10, 2024 – What would happen if cancer patients, survivors and caregivers were given $1M to invest strategically in research to improve what they view as gaps in precision oncology in Canada? What research questions would they want addressed? What areas would the prioritize? 

The Terry Fox Research Institute’s Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network’s (MOHCCN) set out to answer these questions with the launch of a new patient-initiated research program called the Patient Voices in Research Initiative.  A first-of-its-kind for precision oncology research, this program will support high-quality research that answers key themes identified by members of the MOHCCN Patient Working Group, a group of 30 cancer patients, survivors and caregivers from across Canada.

“People who experience cancer know better than anyone else what works and what doesn’t when it comes to implementing precision oncology.  We know current gaps go beyond the hard science of treatments,” says Natalie Kwadrans, a stage IV breast cancer patient from Calgary, AB and member of the MOHCCN Patient Working Group. “Having a mechanism for patients to identify, prioritize and fund projects that begin closing gaps in these areas is a unique way to engage patients and it is why I think the Patient Voices in Research Initiative is so brilliant.” 

The group has identified several themes for researchers to address in submitted applications for funding, such as: disparities in access to targeted treatments and clinical trials, a lack of opportunities for patient engagement in research, the need for better lifestyle interventions to improve patient outcomes and quality of life, and the impact of rare cancers across the age spectrum. Funded applicants will receive up to $250K and have a year to do their research. 

“We are extremely excited to announce this innovative funding program created and designed by the incredible members of our Patient Working Group,” says Dr. André Veillette, Executive Director of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network. “Since our Network was launched in 2019, we always knew that we wanted patients to play a central role in shaping Network activities. This initiative – the first of its kind in Canada – shows just how serious we are about this.”  

Launched a year ago, the Patient Working Group helps steer the Network to achieve its goals of accelerating precision medicine for the benefit of people living with cancer. The members will also collaborate with scientific experts to adjudicate the competition and choose successful applicants.

Media Contact: 

Peter Mothe 
Senior Communications Specialist 
The Terry Fox Research Institute   
pmothe@tfri.ca   
(604) 773-2827 

About the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network 

The Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network is a bold collaboration inspired by Terry Fox that aims to improve outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients across Canada through the acceleration of precision medicine for cancer. Led by the Terry Fox Research Institute and the Terry Fox Foundation and made possible with support from the Government of Canada and partner institutions across the country, the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network is beginning to transform cancer research and treatment by uniting Canadians under a single vision, “The Roadmap to Cure Cancer.”  Today, the Network includes over 600 researchers, clinicians and patients and 35 institutional members, including academic and health care institutions from all 10 Canadian provinces. www.marathonofhopecancercentres.ca 

About The Terry Fox Research Institute 

Established in 2007, TFRI invests in world-class, collaborative cancer research teams and partnerships. Together with its research and funding partners, TFRI is working to inspire the transformation of cancer research in Canada by bringing together leading cancer research and treatment organizations from coast to coast and empowering them under the framework of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network. Inspired by Terry Fox, we invest in highly collaborative, world-class scientific teams to drive research discoveries that improve and save the lives of cancer patients.