Since 2008, The Ride has surpassed all other cycling events to become Canada’s most successful cycling fundraiser. Raising over $60 million in Toronto alone, Ride funds support the work of The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute at The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world, and a leader in the discovery and delivery of personlized cancer medicine.

Thanks to The Ride, funding ensures the sustainability of the most promising cancer research that is taking place at The Princess Margaret, some of which is highlighted below. Your support of The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer also impacts hundreds of thousands, as The Princess Margaret is affiliated with and shares its expertise with other cancer centres across Canada and around the world.

The Princess Margaret’s vision is to CONQUER CANCER IN OUR LIFETIME. Conquering cancer begins with attracting and retaining the brightest team of people, implementing the most promising cancer research programs and assembling the most advanced medical technology platforms on which to build.

In the news:

February 29, 2012 - UHN Cyclotron to Produce Medical Isotopes

The Princess Margaret has assembled a powerhouse of researchers and clinicians dedicated to moving from the current standard of care to personalized cancer medicine providing the right treatment for the right patient, at the right time.

Leading this team is:

• Dr. Mary Gospodarowicz: Medical Director of the Cancer Program and Chief of the Radiation Medicine Program who is also actively engaged in clinical radiation oncology.

   

• Dr. Benjamin Neel: Research Director at The Campbell Family Cancer Research Centre, overseeing that the most promising basic cancer research is translated into clinical outcomes.
• Dr. Tak Mak: World-renowned scientist focused on identifying new genetic targets for women’s cancers and Director, Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research.

Just some of the leading researchers at The Princess Margaret include:

• Dr. Norman Boyd: Pioneer and leader in breast cancer prevention strategies.
• Dr. Robert Bristow: Oversees the prostate centre and research into targeted therapies.
• Dr. Laura Dawson: Researching precision radiation techniques for hard-to-target tumours.
• Dr. John Dick: Considered a luminary researcher for his work on cancer stem cells.
• Dr. Jon Irish: Chief of Surgical Oncology and pioneer of Image Guided Therapeutic advancements.
• Dr. David Jaffray: World leader on advanced Image Guided Therapy.
• Dr. Igor Jurisica: Holds a Research Chair in Computational Biology, a promising area of cancer research.
• Dr. Malcolm Moore: Director of the Bras Family New Drug Development Program for cancer research.
• Dr. Pamela Ohashi: Highly recognized scientist for her work in immunotherapy research.
• Dr. Aaron Schimmer: Instrumental for his work on cancer drug development and new treatments.
• Dr. Frances Shepherd: Instrumental in researching new standards of care for lung cancer patients.
• Dr. Ming Tsao: Director of the Lung Cancer Translational Research Laboratory.
• Dr. Bradly Wouters: Leads the world-leading tumour microenvironment program.

Image-Guided Therapy
This highly specialized team is focused on advancing Guided Therapeutics and using targeted radiation medicine to advance the delivery of radiation treatment to cancer patients.

Image-Guided Surgical Program
This multi-disciplinary team combines imaging with surgery to increase the accuracy and minimize side effects for cancer patients requiring surgery.

Cancer Stem Cells
Under Dr. John Dick’s leadership, this team investigates if targeting treatment to cancer stem cells within a tumour, rather than every cell, may be a better way of killing the disease.

Immunotherapy
This team of expert researchers is studying the body’s ability to stimulate the immune system to reject and destroy tumours.

Prostate Cancers
New tests and targeted therapies are being developed to provide men with appropriate treatments depending on their age, family history and aggressiveness of their cancer.

Breast Cancer Research
Under the leadership of Dr. Tak Mak, The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research has recruited an elite team of scientists and clinician-scientists dedicated to making breakthroughs in breast cancer and gynecologic cancers research.

Tumour Microenvironment
Understanding the unique properties of the environment in which tumours grow and thrive is leading to new therapies and scientists believe they may be able to exploit this knowledge to defeat the disease. This is a very promising area of cancer research and one in which The Princess Margaret is world-leading.

High Content Clinical Trials
The Princess Margaret has over 350 trials running involving over 10,000 patients and has one of the largest percentage of patients involved in clinical trials of any hospital in the world.

The Robert and Maggie Bras and Family New Drug Development Program
A top-tier drug testing facility that is the only non-U.S. site to receive both a phase I grant and a phase II contract from the U.S. National Cancer Institute. It means that The Princess Margaret is able to offer the most promising treatment options to its patients

BioBank
Led by Dr. Pat Shaw, the BioBank allows for translational research that can only take place in a setting like The Princess Margaret, with a large patient population and a substantial research operation. At PMH, many patients have advanced, very aggressive types of cancer and/or rare cancers. The BioBank allows researchers and clinicians to leverage one another’s work, in hopes of providing better patient outcomes.