There is tremendous value in partnerships. The Alberta Cancer Foundation is built on these relationships – within health-care delivery, research and with our donor partners. We all play significant roles in creating a cancer-free future for Albertans.
On our cover of this issue we feature Dr. Paul Grundy – senior vice-president of Alberta Health Services (AHS) – Cancer Care. The collaboration between the Alberta Cancer Foundation and Alberta Health Services has led to tremendous advancements in how donor funds are invested to support Albertans facing cancer, through research, screening, prevention and enhanced care programs. We work closely with AHS – Cancer Care to identify key opportunities that we can support with our fundraising.
The importance of our partnership with AHS – Cancer Care is especially evident in the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton and the 15 associate cancer clinics across the province. Every day, our health partners in these facilities work tirelessly to ensure that cancer patients receive the best care – very often with a beaming smile on their faces.
The Alberta Cancer Foundation is grateful to all of these clinicians and care providers, because it is this kind of care that inspires you, and thousands of donors like you, to give so generously to support continued advancements in cancer research, prevention and care. The nurses, oncologists, radiologists, porters, receptionists, volunteers and so many others at these centres remind us that the cancer journey is often filled with moments of kindness and compassion that inspire us all. In this issue of Leap magazine, you will also learn about the work of a range of people making an impact across the cancer spectrum, from a rising star in immunology to a donor inspiring others to learn more about lung cancer.
In equal stead are our donors. You are essential partners in a cancer-free future. Just this past year alone, your donations have:
- Purchased two cutting-edge PET/CT scanners at Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute that provide high-resolution images, which are valuable tools in cancer detection
- Provided more than $750,000 in support to patients and families through the Alberta Cancer Foundation Patient Financial Assistance Program
- Implemented the Nurse Navigator Program across the province to help steer patients through the rough waters of cancer diagnosis, treatment and into survivorship
- Supported the Weekend to End Women’s Cancers Breast Cancer Chair with more than $47 million so that Dr. Christine Friedenreich can continue her ground-breaking research into the impact of exercise in preventing cancer
The spectrum of these partnerships is vast and represents the complexity of the cancer journey. Leap is one of the ways that we can share the advances we are making along that journey. Enjoy reading this latest issue of Leap magazine.
 John Osler, Chair Alberta Cancer Foundation |
 Myka Osinchuk, CEO Alberta Cancer Foundation |
