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