The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation-Ontario Region (CBCF) recently awarded $1.1 million in new grants to fund five promising breast cancer programs involving University of Western Ontario researchers.
“With the help of CBCF-Ontario’s volunteer, donor and supporter network, together we raise funds that can be directed to research and fellowship grants, ultimately helping to lengthen lives, save lives and create a future without breast cancer, the most common cancer in Canadian women,” says Sandra Palmaro, CEO, CBCF-Ontario.
The Western-related projects include:
- Dale Laird, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, received $444,612 over three years to focus on the biology of breast cancer. Laird’s project is titled, Cx26 and Panx1 as breast tumor suppressors: potential therapeutic targets;
- Eva Turley, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, received $433,937 over three years to focus on the biology of breast cancer. Turley’s project is titled, The role of RHAMM/HMMR in breast cancer susceptibility and progression;
- Padmalaya Das, post doctoral level, received $142,500 over three years to focus on the biology of breast cancer. Das’ project is titled, The role of hypoxia-induced Nodal expression in breast cancer;
- Vasiliki Economopoulos, doctoral level, received $75,000 over two years to focus on early detection, diagnosis and prognosis. Economopoulos’ project is titled, Early and Targeted Detection of Lymphatic Metastases in a Breast Cancer Model;
- Philip Medeiros, doctoral level, received $37,500 to focus on the biology of breast cancer. Medeiros’ project is titled, The effect of neuropeptide Y receptor activation on breast cancer proliferation and angiogenesis.
More than 100 breast cancer experts from across North America volunteered their skills this past spring to peer-review more than 120 applications from across Ontario. Only those applications rated highest for excellence, innovation and impact received funding.
In total, CBCF awarded $11.3 million dollars to fund more than 50 projects across Ontario.
The CBCF has funded more than 35 grants in the London area since 1986, totaling more than $3.8 million.
