Alberta Cancer Foundation

Who We Are

Our purpose.

To create more moments for Albertans facing cancer by inspiring our community to give to innovation in detection, treatment and care right here in our own backyard.

We are a light in the darkness.

The Alberta Cancer Foundation is a light that guides Albertans through the darkness of cancer. We empower some of the best and brightest researchers to bring the latest advancements to Albertans, sooner. We enable donors to turn the tide against the devastating impacts of cancer and make an indelible impact on their province today, and for generations to come. And we surround patients with love and support through every stage of their cancer journey, no matter where in Alberta they live or the kind of cancer they’re facing. Together, we are an unstoppable community—a force—that is rewriting the future for Albertans facing cancer.

As the fundraising partner for all of Alberta’s cancer centres, the Alberta Cancer Foundation acknowledges that our work and initiatives take place, and serve the people, on traditional and ancestral Indigenous lands.

These lands include the territories of Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Treaty 8, the homeland of the Blackfoot Confederacy – Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika – the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stoney Nakoda and the Tsuu T’ina Nations, and the Métis Nation of Alberta and eight Metis Settlements. We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have lived on and cared for these lands for generations. We express this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation and a meaningful gesture of gratitude to those whose territories we reside on or are visiting.

Our strategy.

Leading with impact.

As the number of cancer cases continues to grow and more people survive their diagnosis, it’s imperative for the Foundation to connect to donors and increase support for innovative programs across the province, from prevention and early diagnosis through to survivorship and end-of-life care.

Leverage the Alberta advantage to accelerate progress.

Harness Alberta’s entrepreneurial spirit to develop new ‘made-in-Alberta’ discoveries and bring global breakthroughs in cancer to patients sooner.

Amplify the voices of cancer.

Seize the opportunity to use our provincial platform to amplify and engage a diversity of voices—from cancer patients and families to oncologists, care providers and researchers—to inspire the community to advocate and rally behind the cancer system, for the one in two Albertans who will need it.

Harness the power of the team.

Ignite a purpose-driven, high-performance culture through meaningful work, powerful teams and a commitment to employee growth.

Organizational effectiveness & sustainability.

An operating model and financial strategy which enhances productivity and supports long-term sustainability of the Foundation.

Our vision.

A cancer-free future.

Our values.

Compassion.

We meet the needs of patients, families, donors, staff and volunteers in a caring and compassionate manner.

Collaboration.

We work and celebrate as a team and nurture partnerships that add value for Albertans.

Boldness.

We are innovative in discovery and take balanced risks to continuously improve.

Responsiveness.

Our work is grounded in purpose propelling us to be nimble and responsive to opportunities.

Integrity.

We are truthful and accountable to each other and to our stakeholders.

Energy.

We seize our purpose with energy and passion and bring a generosity of spirit to everything we do.

Our impact.

The Alberta Cancer Foundation values transparency and accountability. We are efficient and responsible stewards of our donor dollars and invest in high-quality research and treatment that will improve and save lives right here in our province. This past year alone, we dedicated more than $27 million to cancer research, treatment and care in Alberta with a goal to increase this to $40 million this year.

Our promises.

These outline the commitments we have made to our donors, partners and everyday Albertans who want to affect change and take back power from a disease that has taken so much from so many.

We are the light in the darkness.

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help people feel empowered and bring hope for a brighter tomorrow. We support researchers and clinicians in transforming life-saving ideas into reality and surround our community with encouragement, optimism, and a ‘let’s see what we can do’ spirit. 

We build powerful communities.

Cancer can feel isolating, but we surround patients and families with love and support. Together, as a united community of passionate Albertans, we bring the brightest minds to tackle the toughest challenges—and we won’t be stopped.

We put Albertans first.

We don’t wait for innovations in cancer care to come to Alberta—we bring the best and latest to Albertans sooner, wherever they live. Donations to the Alberta Cancer Foundation ensure funds stay here, benefiting our friends, families, and neighbours.

We are tenacious and audacious.

Driven by our donors’ hopes, we relentlessly pursue the best care and research for Alberta. We embrace calculated risks, knowing today’s clinical trial can benefit thousands tomorrow. This entrepreneurial spirit attracts researchers and donors alike, making the Alberta Cancer Foundation the place to achieve something extraordinary. Together, we never settle for “good enough.”