The Cancer Research Society awards a record-breaking $11.5 million in its last annual grant competition

MONTREAL, Feb. 19, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Every year, the Cancer Research Society receives several applications from researchers across Canada, as part of its annual operating grant competition.

In 2013, thanks to the generosity of thousands of donors, the Cancer Research Society was able to award its highest amount ever of $11.5 million, to more than 50 exciting new research initiatives which brings to 120 the number of projects currently underway and financed by the Society. Through a combination of monthly and one-time donations, planned gifts, fundraisers, events and partnerships, Canadians showed their unwavering support for cancer research, with tangible results: giving some of the country's best researchers the means to get their important work off the ground.

With the mission to fund research on all types of cancer, the Cancer Research Society grants are awarded nationwide based solely on excellence and merit determined through a rigorous peer review process, considered the internationally accepted benchmark for ensuring the highest quality in scientific research. "We know that basic research is the starting point for all advances made in cancer detection, prevention and treatment, and every year, researchers remind us of how important it is to continue funding their crucial and ground-breaking work in the ongoing fight against cancer," states Andy Chabot, President and CEO of the Cancer Research Society.

In its last competition, a total of 269 grant applications were submitted for funding and evaluated by the Cancer Research Society Peer Review Committee. Among these, 132 were deemed scientifically sound and fundable. Of this number, the Cancer Research Society was able to support 54 new promising research grants targeting many different types of cancer, including some of the deadliest forms of the disease, such as pancreatic cancer. Other projects focus on metastasis and cancer treatments and have thus the possibility of affecting several types of cancer.

Joining forces makes all the difference
The Cancer Research Society is making concerted efforts to create alliances with other like-minded organizations, with the goal of creating a united front of support for cancer research in the global fight against the disease, which continues to be the number one cause of death for Canadians. These collaborations help to create targeted funding for specific types of cancer, and to optimize scarce research dollars. "Because of these partnerships, we were able to support a number of additional grants that would not have been funded otherwise, and which will benefit future generations," stated Mario Chevrette, Scientific Director of the Cancer Research Society.

The Cancer Research Society's Operating Grant Competition takes place every year and is open to Canadian scientists pursuing basic and environment cancer research. The Society is also committed to invest in the "next generation of scientists", a new program aiming at retaining the brainpower by encouraging young scientists to start their research career in Canada. For more information, please visit our website: www.CancerResearchSociety.ca.

About the Cancer Research Society
Established in 1945, 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 or call 1 888-766-2262.

SOURCE: Cancer Research Society

Stéfanie Roche
Director of Marketing and Communications
Cancer Research Society
[email protected]
514-861-9227, ext. 283