Breast cancer: a new funding opportunity for Quebec's researchers

MONTREAL, Feb. 19, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Thanks to the success of its various fundraising campaigns, the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, in collaboration with the Cancer Research Society, is proud to announce the renewal of its research grants competition for 2014, which also marks the Foundation's 20^th anniversary. Over the last five years, the Foundation has invested more than $17 million in a variety of programs related to the fight against breast cancer, and it is now reaffirming its commitment to Quebec's medical and scientific community.

The objective of the Foundation's program is to fund world-class research projects being conducted in university laboratories and research institutes in Quebec, with the ultimate aim of reducing the incidence of breast cancer and improving the quality of life for everyone living with the disease. Grants of up to $500,000 will be awarded to research projects with a duration of up to four years. The results of the competition will be announced in November.

"At the Foundation, we are working tirelessly so that the dream of a world without breast cancer will eventually come true," said Francine Cléroux, executive director of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. "There is much work to be done before we reach that goal, and research is undeniably a crucial factor in achieving it. This new competition will help us keep fighting toward that end. We thank the public, our donors and our business partners, whose generosity has made it possible for us to open this new round of funding. Quebec's researchers are doing remarkable work, so we are very confident that we will have the opportunity to fund innovative, high-calibre projects that will make a real difference and benefit our community's women," she added.

As in 2011, when 12 research teams were awarded nearly $6 million, the Cancer Research Society will lend its expertise in the interest of establishing a rigorous application review process for the competition.

"We are very pleased to be continuing our work with the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, with which we share the same priorities in the fight against cancer. This competition will help Quebec-based researchers make progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, to the benefit of women in Quebec and elsewhere," said Mario Chevrette, the Cancer Research Society's scientific director.

Quebec-based researchers interested in applying for a grant can find details about the criteria and process at www.rubanrose.org and www.CancerResearchSociety.ca.

About the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation

A registered charity, the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation's mission is to fund breast cancer research and innovation, support and defend the interests of patients and their loved ones and make breast health a priority through education and awareness. In the last five years, the Foundation has invested more than $17 million in the fight against breast cancer. For more information about the Foundation's research-support initiatives, visit www.rubanrose.org.

About the Cancer Research Society

The Cancer Research Society is a national not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is to fund research on all types of cancer, thereby contributing to the advancement of science aimed at preventing, detecting, and treating this disease. The Cancer Research Society is devoted to both basic research, which has resulted in several innovative discoveries, as well as environment-cancer, a field in which the Society is considered to have played a pioneering role in Canada. During the past five years, the Cancer Research Society has granted over $41 million to some 283 cancer research projects across the country through diverse fundraising activities. For more information on cancer, on the Cancer Research Society or to support research, visit www.CancerResearchSociety.ca.

SOURCE: Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation

For further information:

Anne-Sophie Hamel
Senior advisor, communications and public relations
Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation
Tel.: [phone], ext. 226
[email protected]