“I have become a bit cynical over the last few years about people's ability to care for anyone outside their 'inner circle.' This experience has renewed my faith in humanity in general …”
- Tamara Flick-Parker
Supporting Princess Margaret Hospital
The walkers, volunteers, supporters and donors of WEBC throughout the years are extremely important to the work at The Princess Margaret. Click here for more info and highlights from 2007/2008.
The money you raise for The Weekend to End Breast Cancer will benefit The Princess Margaret, Canada’s leading cancer research centre and one of the top 5 cancer research hospitals in the world. The Princess Margaret has assembled a team of world - class doctors and scientists whose sole vision is to conquer cancer for those struggling right now and for those yet to be diagnosed.
All funds raised for The Weekend to End Breast Cancer (WEBC) support Critical Areas of Support such as:
RESEARCH
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A total of $25.5 million to The Campbell Family Institute for breast cancer research, led by Dr. Tak Mak;
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Over $4.2 million to purchase cutting edge research equipment and support breast cancer research activities in the PMH research expansion at MaRS;
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$950,000 to the Walker Innovation Program, which supports researchers and new ideas that have the potential for advancing scientific knowledge of breast cancer;
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$500,000 to support Dr. Norman Boyd’s research into breast cancer prevention focusing on the understanding of mammographic density as a risk factor;
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$3 million to support the first ever The Weekend to End Breast Cancer Chair in Breast Cancer Research, held by Dr. Tak Mak, a world renowned scientist;
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Funding to support Dr. Pamela Ohashi’s research into T cell activation and tumor immunity, leading to important alternatives for breast cancer treatment;
CLINICAL ENHANCEMENTS
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$2 million to support Breast Cancer Tumour Banks and the corresponding database at The Princess Margaret;
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$3.4 million pledged to support a comprehensive breast imaging program led by
Dr. Thomas Helbich and funds towards the purchase of a Breast MRI at PMH; -
Over $2.5 million in funding to support critical clinical trials for The Princess Margaret breast cancer patients.
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Almost $2 million to support Dr. David McCready’s pioneering Rapid Diagnosis Clinic, featured on the front page of the Toronto Star in 2007;
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$550,000 to support the clinical trial of intra-operative radiation therapy, led by Dr. David McCready and Dr. Anthony Fyles.
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A newly renovated and re-designed M. Lau Breast Centre that provides complete care for breast cancer patients.
SURVIVORSHIP
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Over $4.6 million in funding for the establishment and continued support of the first in-hospital comprehensive WEBC Survivorship Clinic and Program in Canada;
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Almost $1 million in funding to provide reconstructive breast surgery for women who have had breast cancer. This funding is in addition to what the government provides, so that more women have the opportunity for reconstructive surgery.
Videos
Click on the images below to hear doctors from The Princess Margaret explain how the funds you raise are being put to good use.
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Net proceeds from our four WEBC walks are furthering our quest to conquer breast cancer with these programs:
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Last year was the fifth year that I and some of our Board members, staff and volunteers walked in The Weekend to End Breast Cancer and it was the best yet! Our Board members, staff, volunteers, patients and their families and friends feel incredibly grateful to be part of this extraordinary event. We're already looking forward to next year’s walk - our 6th annual - the weekend of September 5-7th, 2008.
Each year since the WEBC began in 2003, $5 million of the funds raised are allocated to The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research at The Princess Margaret. Monies raised by walkers also established a $3 million WEBC Chair in Breast Cancer Research, to be awarded to the Director of The Campbell Institute.
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The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research at PMH
Under the leadership of Dr. Tak Mak, who is the first Weekend to End Breast Cancer Chair in Breast Cancer Research, The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research at The Princess Margaret brings Canada’s top researchers together to mount a multi-pronged attack on breast cancer. This team, in association with a network of international partners, will:
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Direct research into areas targeting genes to fight the disease
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Develop new treatments
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Conduct clinical trials
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Superb Clinical Care
WEBC funds of more than $15 million in four years are also helping TPM realize its vision to establish:
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A comprehensive program for breast cancer survivors
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A screening program to promote early detection of breast cancer
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A rapid diagnosis pilot program to get answers faster
The TPM Breast Cancer Survivorship Program
For breast cancer survivors and their families, the The Princess Margaret survivorship program, led by Dr. Pam Catton, medical director of patient education and survivorship, and her team, provides a community of care, support and information.
A very special meeting place is now at the heart of the hospital’s breast centre - The Weekend to End Breast Cancer Survivorship Centre www.survivorship.ca. For survivors, the Breast Cancer Survivorship program - Walking together with, through and beyond - is a new part of The Princess Margaret's commitment to provide excellent care for patients and their families, thanks to WEBC support. The program features peer and clinical support, guidance in self-care and how to navigate the healthcare system, and a new virtual on-line community, Caring Voices www.caringvoices.ca.
Promoting Early Detection and Getting Answers Faster
Thanks to The Weekend, Dr. David McCready, head of the breast site, and his team are using state-of-the-art digital mammography and promoting early detection in the community. They are also piloting a process for streamlining all examinations and procedures so the team can deliver a faster diagnosis and start treatment earlier.
Early detection - is an effective way to detect breast cancer and The Princess Margaret has expanded its breast screening program in the community to encourage women over 50 to have regular mammography. One of two new, state-of-the-art digital mammography machines that will be used in this program was purchased with funds raised by the WEBC.
When a suspicious abnormality is detected through breast screening or a clinical examination, patients will eventually be able to consult with surgeons, radiologists and pathologists in a single visit so that rapid diagnosis and a treatment plan can be completed quickly. WEBC proceeds purchased a key piece of equipment that is used in this program, the Xpress Rapid Tissue Processor, one of the world's most advanced biopsy testing systems.
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