Harper Government invests in childhood cancer research

For immediate release

Toronto, ON (April 11, 2012) – The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today announced funding from the Harper Government and partners to support research that aims to protect the long-term health of childhood cancer survivors.

The Honourable Minister Aglukkaq, Minister of Health speaks with Myles Davis, from Mississauga, at a press conference in Toronto on Wednesday, April 11, 2012. Myles was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma (cancerous tumour of muscles attached to bones) when he was four years old. As a result of his cancer treatment, Myles has cardiomyopathy, a weakening in the heart muscle. The Minister announced funding to support research that aims to protect the long-term health of childhood cancer survivors.

The Honourable Minister Aglukkaq, Minister of Health speaks with Myles Davis, from Mississauga, at a press conference in Toronto on Wednesday, April 11, 2012. Myles was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma (cancerous tumour of muscles attached to bones) when he was four years old. As a result of his cancer treatment, Myles has cardiomyopathy, a weakening in the heart muscle. The Minister announced funding to support research that aims to protect the long-term health of childhood cancer survivors.

“Our Government is committed to ensuring that childhood cancer patients receive the most effective and appropriate treatments available to them,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “Our goal is to improve the health and quality of life for children who survive cancer.”

Funding from Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and six leading cancer organizations will support four new research teams: two based at The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids) in Toronto, one based at the Child & Family Research Institute at the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, and another one in Montreal at the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center. These teams will look for ways to reduce the harmful effects of cancer treatment on children, including damage to the brain, heart and other major organs. This highly committed group of researchers all share the same goal: to improve cancer treatment for the benefit of Canadians.

CIHR has partnered with the following organizations to support this initiative: Garron Family Cancer Centre at Sick Kids, C17 Council, Canadian Cancer Society, Cancer Research Society, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario.

“As Canada’s leading paediatric academic health-care centre, SickKids sees firsthand the devastating impact cancer can have on children and their families,” says Mary Jo Haddad, SickKids President and CEO. “Through the funding from this important initiative, SickKids researchers can continue improving cancer treatments for Canada’s children and youth that will enhance the quality of life for paediatric cancer patients.”

Please see Fact Sheet for more information

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Media Enquiries:

Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
613-957-0200

David Coulombe
Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
613-941-4563
mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada’s health research investment agency. CIHR’s mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 14,100 health researchers and trainees across Canada.

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