$250,000 Grant to Dr. Paola Marignani to identify HER2+ markers

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Breast Cancer Society of Canada Grants $250,000 To Precision Oncology Research at Dalhousie University

Dr. Paola Marignani to identify unique markers associated with HER2+ breast cancer recurrence

The Breast Cancer Society of Canada has announced $250,000 in funding to the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University, for a research project led by Dr. Paola Marignani. The project aims to identify unique markers associated with HER2+ breast cancer recurrence at the single-cell level.

About one third of all breast cancers are classified as HER2-positive due to high levels of the HER2 cell surface protein. Drugs that target HER2 have been successful, however this type of cancer returns at a high frequency once treatment has been completed. The overarching goal of the research project is to identify new biomarkers that distinguish recurrence potential from HER2+ breast cancer.

Leading the project is Dr. Paola Marignani, a Professor at Dalhousie University in the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She conducted postdoctoral fellowships at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, the Ontario Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School in the Division of Signal Transduction. More recently Dr. Marignani completed the Executive Program in Artificial Intelligence in Health Care from MIT.

Dr. Marignani’s project will take place for the next three years with the goal of gaining insight to develop more precise and targeted therapies through precision medicine that prevent recurrence. Precision medicine is centered on matching the most effective drug with the right patient based on molecular profiling of the patient’s cancer, taking into consideration the heterogeneity of an individual’s cancer.

Driven by their vision to end breast cancer, BCSC is committed to funding research projects that will have a direct impact on Canadian patients. In February 2021, the World Health Organization declared that breast cancer was the most common cancer worldwide, with approximately 28,000 Canadians being diagnosed each year. The breast cancer research projects that have been selected for funding will aim to advance screening, detection, precision oncology and patient reported outcomes, enhancing care for Canadians with breast cancer.

Kimberly Carson, CEO of the Breast Cancer Society of Canada said, “Dr. Marignani’s research will directly impact the lives of breast cancer patients by developing treatment plans that are tailored to the individual. Patient treatment is no longer one size fits all. The research funded by BCSC focuses on precision medicine making the treatment of breast cancer very personalized with better targeted treatment, we can affect change for breast cancer patients.”

The Breast Cancer Society of Canada thanks its generous donors who have made this grant funding possible through their contributions.  For more information on the Breast Cancer Research Grant call for proposals and the precision oncology projects being funded, please visit bcsc.ca/updates.

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How to Sponsor

Thinking about becoming a corporate partner of Breast Cancer Canada? Amazing. work with all types of organizations. We’ll help you deliver results which are measurable. National or local.

A partnership with Breast Cancer Canada is a win-win. It improves employee engagement, boosts morale, fosters a tighter culture. It raises your organization’s profile and demonstrates your support for breast cancer research. To customers. To employees. To suppliers. Most of all – it makes a positive impact for those affected directly by breast cancer.

We’ll raise money for life-saving breast cancer research, together.

Let’s talk about building your program!

Contact Dawn Hamilton today to get started.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-800-567-8767 

To make an online corporate donation, please click here.

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or more information, please contact Natalina Hamilton: [email protected]


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DONATING A LIFE INSURANCE POLICY

Life insurance is a way to provide financial security for your family. If the needs of your family are already taken care of, a life insurance policy is a smart way to donate to charity including tax savings for your estate. Speak to your financial advisors for your personalized advice and learn how a gift of life insurance can work for you. Here’s the top-line on ways of leaving gifts of life insurance:


Bequeath your policy to Breast Cancer Canada for the future:

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Register a significant difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer. Donate the proceeds of a registered account: Tax-free savings account (TFSA); Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP); Registered retirement income fund (RRIF). It’s a smart way to make a major contribution. Without reducing your current assets. Without subjecting the funds to probate fees. While reducing taxes on your estate through a donation receipt.

Making a gift like this is easy. Designate Breast Cancer Canada as the beneficiary of your registered account.  You benefit from the full use of your account(s) during your lifetime. We receive any remaining funds after your passing.

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Donating securities is becoming more popular, and supports Breast Cancer Canada just like cash donations. Gifts of publicly traded securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds) are an easy, tax-effective way to make a contribution towards life-saving research that helps with early detection, better treatments, and ultimately  Securities can be of any size and given immediately, or you can bequeath them to Breast Cancer Canada in your will. Just like a cash donation, you’ll get a donation tax credit for your gift of securities.

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