Changing the future of cancer

Our donors enabled us to support promising cancer research across the country and help strengthen Canada’s research landscape. With your support we:

• began funding 100+ new projects, including investing in the next generation of cancer researchers and in research that is leveraging new technology to transform cancer care
• launched 4 new grant competitions to continue to drive progress across the cancer experience and across all cancer types
• formed 14 new impactful partnerships to help us fund even more meaningful, innovative research. Together, we invested $5.7M in new projects.
• engaged 72 patient and caregiver partners in multiple stages of the research funding process to gain critical insights and help maximize the benefit of our funded research for people with cancer
• awarded the inaugural Inclusive Excellence Prize, recognizing 2 researchers who have demonstrated leadership in the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion across Canada’s cancer research ecosystem. Learn more about the winners.

For more information about the research we fund, visit cancer.ca/research.

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The Canadian Cancer Society is proud to introduce the Centre for Cancer Prevention and Support (CCPS).

We asked 3 researchers to share their thoughts about CCPS.

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Dr Darryl Leong

CCS-funded researcher, McMaster University

Dr Leong: I think this is a wonderful initiative by the Canadian Cancer Society to launch the Centre for Cancer Prevention and Support. To formally recognize cancer prevention and survivorship as key issues I think is a really important first step to address what I think is going to become one of the biggest health challenges of this century.

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CCPS is a national hub of research and innovation.

Dr Thivendiranathan speaking to camera.

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Dr Dinesh Thavendiranathan

CCS-funded researcher, University Health Network

Dr Thavendiranathan: The Centre really provides an opportunity for researchers across the country to move away from perhaps working in silos and to work together with the greater good of the cancer patient in mind and their families and their caregivers.

Dr Culos-Reed speaking to camera.

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Dr Nicole Culos-Reed

CCS-funded researcher, University of Calgary

Dr Culos-Reed: I think the Centre is going to play a pivotal role, not only for reaching individuals with cancer and providing access to maybe more resources, and being a central place where people know they can go but also as really a think tank, an ability to connect networks of researchers across the country.

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Taking discoveries from the lab to life faster.

Dr Culos-Reed speaking to camera.

Dr Culos-Reed: I think it’s really important that when we consider what funds the cancer research, it comes from donations, that we’re really accountable. And that means having better communication between our research teams to ensure we’re not reinventing the wheel, to ensure we’re making progress, and to ensure we’re really addressing the needs as identified by cancer survivors, individuals living with cancer.

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Thanks to our supporters, we’re working to reduce the number of people who have cancer and improve the lives of those living with and beyond cancer.

Dr Thavendiranathan peaking to camera.

Dr Thavendiranathan: It’s really only your support that makes it possible for us to do research that will impact the lives of millions of Canadians who are unfortunate enough to have developed cancer. Your support allows Canadian researchers to be global international leaders in cancer research.

Dr Leong speaking to camera.

Dr Leong: I would like to offer my deepest thanks to the donors who make our research possible. Your ongoing support is just so valuable at these difficult times to ensure that we really get through to the other side and capitalize on what’s been invested so far in this research.

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Learn more or donate now at cancer.ca/ccps

Our donors enabled us to create new resources and provide critical compassionate and practical support. Thanks to your generosity we:

• created a new nationwide smoking cessation campaign called Smoke Free Curious in partnership with the Canadian Lung Association, Canadian Public Health Association, Heart & Stroke, and the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit. The campaign reached more than 2.5M people.
• launched the Expand Project with our partners at the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit and with funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The project strives to both start and expand conversations around nicotine and tobacco among queer and trans young adults between the ages of 18 and 29.
• engaged more than 2,500 people with cancer and their caregivers in surveys and panel discussions to help us understand their cancer care needs both during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic
• collaborated with Women’s College Hospital to host a virtual Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day event where more than 1,100 attendees learned more about post-mastectomy breast reconstruction from doctors and women who have been there
• piloted Breaking Borders, a program that invites young adults who have survived cancer to participate in a multi-day wilderness hike to help them find support from their peers, gain self-confidence, and learn and grow

Shots of an Inuit community. A shot of a person walking in the snow transitions to a hospital hallway with people walking through. Then, we see a doctor administering tests, followed by a snowy road and a woman looking out a window.

VO: Imagine finding out you have cancer and then having to travel thousands of kilometres from home to an unfamiliar place, a place where you may not speak the language, and you’re having complicated medical tests and procedures done, and you don’t know when you can return home.

VO: The unknown can make the cancer journey more difficult.

Shots of the different resources that have been created (website, pamphlets, e-modules).

VO: The Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society want to make it a little easier. Together, we have created a series of resources called “Inuusinni Aqqusaaqtara” (My Journey) to increase Inuit knowledge about cancer, including e-modules developed after years of one-on-one consultations with healthcare providers and Inuit who have experienced or cared for someone who experienced cancer.

An Inuit woman speaking about her experience with cancer treatments and hospitals. This transitions to a photo of someone reading one of the pamphlets, followed by an animated drawing of 3 Inuit looking at a computer screen.

VO: They are modules that draw on real-life experiences as well as other Inuusinni Aqqusaaqtara resources to address common questions, fears and what to expect as a patient navigating the health care system.

An animated drawing of an Inuit woman speaking to a doctor, followed by shots of the Patient and Caregiver module.

VO: The Patient and Caregiver module has been built to answer the questions so many Inuit have and questions you may not have thought of about the cancer journey.

An animated drawing of an Inuit woman speaking to a doctor who is holding a file, followed by an animated drawing of the Inuit woman lying in bed receiving cancer treatment and then returning home to her community.

VO: From helping to communicate patient rights, to the importance of screening and initial diagnosis, through treatment, and even what happens when returning home.

Shots of the Healthcare Provider module, followed by an Inuit woman showing how to pronounce certain Inuit words.

VO: The Healthcare Provider module is designed to teach healthcare providers the historical context impacting the experiences of Inuit in Canada’s health system and to help guide their interactions in ways that reflect cultural understanding and safety.

A nurse typing on a computer, followed by the Canadian Nurses Association logo.

VO: The Healthcare Provider module has been accredited by the Canadian Nurses Association and counts toward the required annual healthcare professional development hours.

An animated drawing of 3 Inuit looking at a computer screen, followed by an animated drawing of an Inuit woman and other community members.

VO: These modules were shaped with Inuit, for Inuit and their caregivers and healthcare providers supporting them on their journey.

An animated drawing of an Inuit woman standing in front of a doctor, with her family members standing on her side and other healthcare providers standing on the same side as the doctor. The words “family” and “healthcare providers” appear above each group.

This transitions to shots of a healthcare provider and faces of various Inuit flashing on screen.

VO: They exist to empower Inuit and their families who are experiencing cancer. They exist to build trust and cultural understanding between healthcare providers and their patients and to improve treatment and healing.

A shot of a few Inuit women sitting at a table and talking. This transitions to a drawing of a map of Canada highlighting different communities.

VO: You can help by sharing these resources among your care networks and communities. Together, we can improve the cancer care journey for Inuit.

The website address (pauktuutit.ca) and phone number (1-800-667-0749) for the Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada with the hashtag #InuitCancerCare.

The logo for the Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Nurses Association.

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Contact elearn@pauktuutit.ca for more information.

This project is a collaboration between Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Generously supported by the Canadian Cancer Society.

Through our advocacy work, we take action to contribute to a healthier society. With the help of our supporters, we:

• called for immediate, urgent action to address the backlogs in cancer screening and care as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
• urged all national political parties to make cancer a priority ahead of the 2021 federal election
• advocated for the 2021 Federal Budget to include important measures to reduce cancer risk and increase support for people facing cancer and their loved ones
• launched a new advocacy team dedicated to transforming hospice palliative care across Canada with support from the Don and Shirley Green Family Charitable Foundation
• enabled people across Canada to raise their voice in support of important cancer issues through our new e-advocacy tool and our Voices for Change network

For more information about how we work with governments to take control of cancer, visit cancer.ca/advocacy.