Centre for Innovative Cancer Research

The challenge

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.

The solution

In June 2011, The Ottawa Hospital opened the Centre for Innovative Cancer Research thanks to generous support from the community. The new centre brings proper lab, manufacturing and clinical testing space together, allowing our scientists to lead the way in cancer research.

• The increased space and more streamlined process means that lab, manufacturing and trial space are housed together, which allows for faster feedback, retooling and testing of new treatments.
• 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.
• With these facilities in our community, it is our friends and family who will benefit from clinical trials first.

Research already underway

• Dr. Rebecca Auer is making progress in developing and testing innovative approaches to prevent the spread of cancer following surgery, particularly for colorectal cancer.
• Cancer-fighting viruses studied by Dr. John Bell and his colleagues, for example, are now being tested in clinical trials and with impressive results.
• Dr. Ian Lorimer is making progress in enhancing our understanding of breast, brain and lung cancer, so that more targeted and personalized therapies can be developed.

How you can help

The community generously supported the construction of the Centre for Innovative Cancer Research. Your ongoing support is needed to purchase equipment and fund research. Innovative cancer research takes more than the best minds – our researchers need the proper tools to do their vital work. The Centre for Innovative Cancer Research needs several items that it either doesn’t own or the existing equipment has become outdated or unusable. The items are only available thanks to the generosity of donors in the community.

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