Rewrite Cancer Innovation Challenge To Create Change for a Better Future for Cancer Care
Roche Canada is calling on great Canadian minds to come together and rewrite the story of cancer for tomorrow's patients
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 14, 2017 /CNW/ - Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada) today launched The Rewrite Cancer Innovation Challenge (The Challenge), an initiative that brings together the oncology community to develop innovative solutions to address issues Canadian patients face throughout their cancer journey.
Many Canadians touched by cancer, whether they are patients, caregivers or healthcare professionals, have experienced moments in their journey that deserve critical thinking and a chance to be rewritten and improved for the future. Through The Challenge, today's brightest minds in oncology will collaborate to tackle those moments and find ways to change the story of cancer.
"As a company founded on innovation and collaboration, and one that is committed to doing now what patients need next, we understand that despite the great progress we've made in the last few decades, more can be done to improve the cancer experience in Canada," says Ronnie Miller, President & CEO, Roche Canada. "In an ever-changing landscape and with emerging treatments ushering in a new era of cancer care, we need to evolve the delivery of that care to continue meeting patient needs. The Rewrite Cancer Innovation Challenge allows us to do just that, in partnership with those who are confronted with these issues on a daily basis."
The Challenge was established with the guidance of a Steering Committee of oncology experts from across Canada to address a common issue Canadians living with cancer currently face.
The inaugural 2017 Rewrite Cancer Innovation Challenge is:
How can we facilitate better knowledge transfer and collaboration between multi-disciplinary healthcare teams to improve the continuity of care for patients in an environment where new treatment approaches are fundamentally shifting how patients live with their cancer?
The oncology community is invited to collaborate, form teams and offer solutions to the Challenge for an opportunity to partner with Roche Canada and see their ideas come to fruition. Submissions can be made in one of four categories: non-clinical research, patient support, health policy or medical education and are due on January 31, 2018. The Steering Committee will evaluate submissions and winners will be announced in Spring 2018. The winning team(s) will receive a benefit of funds or in-kind services of up to $50,000 CAD to help advance their idea.
"We have made important progress in the care we provide patients. Still, cancer remains a major health problem that impacts not only those living with the disease but our healthcare system as a whole," says Dr. Bernie Eigl, Medical Oncologist at the B.C. Cancer Agency and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia. "Through initiatives like Rewrite Cancer, we are taking an unconventional approach to this problem by bringing patient advocates, caregivers and the oncology community together to address the changing needs of patients."
Cancer prevalence is on the rise and continues to be a major contributor to illness and death in Canada, with one in four expected to succumb to the disease.1,2 While significant strides in diagnosis and treatment have been made, patients and their families still suffer. Their journey involves multiple touch points in the healthcare system that can often be confusing, uncomfortable and stressful.
All Canadians touched by cancer are invited to visit http://www.rewritecancer.ca/share-your-story/ and share a moment they've experienced within the health system that could benefit from critical thinking and improvement for a better outcome or more comfortable path. These moments are used to help inform future Rewrite Cancer Innovation Challenges.
For more information about Rewrite Cancer, details about the Challenge and instructions on how to enter, visit http://www.rewritecancer.ca.
About Roche in Canada
Roche Canada was founded in 1931. The company employs approximately 900 people across the country, with its pharmaceuticals head office located in Mississauga, Ontario, and diagnostics division based in Laval, Quebec. Roche Canada is actively involved in local communities, investing in charitable organizations and partnering with healthcare institutions across the country. For more information, please visit www.rochecanada.com.
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SOURCE Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada)
For further information: Claire Cockburn, Roche Canada, T: 905-542-4648, E: [email protected]; Abigail Bueno, Agnostic, T: 416-969-2724, E: [email protected]
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