Centre for Innovative Cancer Research

When you’re diagnosed with cancer, time is critical. Every minute counts…and the wait for surgery, for treatment, for life to get back to normal can seem agonizing. Time is critical in the world of cancer research, too. Every day, scientists are working on new and better therapies; the sooner these therapies can be delivered to patients, the better their chances for recovery. Larger, modern facilities are needed to speed up this process. It’s time to build the Centre for Innovative Cancer Research at The Ottawa Hospital.

The urgent need for new facilities

Scientists at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute are leading the way in innovative cancer research. They need larger facilities and new equipment to continue their progress and to ensure that new therapies are developed.

• Cramped facilities mean that The Ottawa Hospital cannot expand its research programs or hire more researchers. As a result, some of these innovative breakthroughs could be stalled. This will have a significant impact on the outcome of our patients’ care.
• Lack of specialized equipment threatens to slow scientists down in their lab research. They need state-of-the-art technology to streamline their work and reduce delays.

Expected benefits

A new Centre for Innovative Cancer Research will bring proper lab, manufacturing and clinical testing space together.

• More space = streamlined process = faster trials: Having lab, manufacturing and trial space together will allow for faster feedback, retooling and testing of new treatments.
• Attracting the best researchers and clinicians: Modern research facilities attract and retain the best scientists. This puts more brain power behind our research institute and the potential for greater discoveries in our community.
• Our community will be the first to benefit: With these facilities in our community, it is our friends and family who will benefit from clinical trials first.
  

Research already underway

The new centre will support the exciting research already taking place at the Hospital, including:

• Cancer-fighting viruses: The cancer-fighting viruses developed by Dr. John Bell and his colleagues are now being tested in clinical trials at The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre. The first patient was treated in June 2009 and more are expected to be treated over the summer. These viruses have been shown to kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
• Advances in breast cancer research: Dr. Ian Lorimer, a breast cancer scientist, will have a dedicated lab on the third floor of the expanded Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre. Dr. Lorimer and his team are studying differences in breast cancer cases in order to develop new and better therapies that are customized to each patient. He is also looking at ways to predict which breast cancer cases are most likely to spread to other parts of the body, allowing doctors to try different therapeutics to prevent cancer growth.

How you can help

The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute has been awarded a $6.3 million grant from the prestigious Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). But CFI grants require support from community donations. Quite simply, this centre cannot be built without your support.

It will cost $15.8 million to build and equip the new research centre, which will be located on the third floor of The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre. We need your help to raise the remaining $5 million. Your investment will trigger the CFI grant and allow the Hospital to propel this important research forward. This is your opportunity to have a significant impact on cancer care in our community, for years to come.

You can donate online, download our donation form or call us at 613-761-4295