Celebrating 25 Years of the BCC-TRU

Share

Breast Cancer Canada Translational Research Unit (BCC-TRU)

Join us on a brief journey through the remarkable timeline of the Breast Cancer Canada Translational Research Unit (BCC-TRU), highlighting the groundbreaking discoveries and extraordinary dedication that have defined its mission for a quarter century.

A PATHWAY TO PROGRESS

1998
The BCC-TRU* was created through a partnership between the London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP) and a $1 million donation from the Breast Cancer Society of Canada (BCSC)
The BCC-TRU* was originally named in honour of Pamela Greenaway Kohlmeier, who passed away from breast cancer at age 38
Dr. Ann Chambers is named as BCC-TRU* Director

2000
Recruitment of senior translational breast cancer scientist Dr. Eva Turley to LHSC, focusing on the factors contributing to breast cancer progression

2003
The BCC-TRU* Traineeship Program is established. This important program serves to train the next generation of breast cancer researchers

2006
Recruitment of junior translational breast cancer scientist, Dr. Alison Allan, who brings new research expertise in breast cancer metastasis and blood-based biomarkers to London

2010
Catalyst Grant Program created in partnership with LRCP and the Western Department of Oncology. This important program now funds two Catalyst Grants annually to breast cancer researchers across London

2014
BCC announces a major 10-year, $5 million commitment to the Unit, bringing total support to >$10.4 million

2019
Dr. Alison Allan is named as the new Director of the BCC-TRU* after Dr. Ann Chambers announces retirement
Recruitment of clinician-researcher Dr. Ana Lohmann and clinician-scientist Dr. Armen Parsyan with the goal of bringing lab findings to the clinic faster

2020
BCC commits to supporting the BCC-TRU* through to 2030

2022
The Unit is renamed as the Breast Cancer Canada Translational Research Unit (BCC-TRU) to reflect BCSC’s name change to Breast Cancer Canada (BCC)

LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE

BCC-TRU researchers are moving into exciting new areas of investigation including population data analysis, genomics and artificial intelligence. By incorporating these “big data” approaches, the team hopes to continue progressing towards a cure for breast cancer. Leading the way Over the past 25 years, research in the BCC-TRU has focused on the understanding, prevention, tracking and treatment of metastasis, the deadliest aspect of breast cancer. Thanks to donor support, the BCC-TRU has served as the exemplar for how to engage basic scientists, clinicians and trainees together to carry out impactful, patient-focused cancer research.

LEADING THE WAY

Over the past 25 years, research in the BCC-TRU has focused on the understanding, prevention, tracking and treatment of metastasis, the deadliest aspect of breast cancer. Thanks to donor support, the BCC-TRU has served as the exemplar for how to engage basic scientists, clinicians and trainees together to carry out impactful, patient-focused cancer research.

BCC-TRU Director Dr. Alison Allan

Meet Dr. Alison Allan, a remarkable senior oncology scientist and director of the BCC-TRU. Dr. Allan’s research is focused on the study of cellular and molecular mechanisms influencing breast cancer development and metastasis, mainly concentrating on two areas:

  1. The first project seeks to understand why some patients with breast cancer develop lung metastasis. With this knowledge, the team aims to prevent breast cancer cells from spreading to the lungs.
  2. The second area of focus involves identifying the key characteristics of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in a patient’s blood and investigating how they contribute to breast cancer metastasis and respond to therapy. Dr. Allan and her research team are Canadian leaders in CTC analysis and technology development.

“Safe ideas aren’t the ones making breakthroughs in breast cancer research, especially when patients are anxiously waiting for life-saving treatment. Donors fuel these high-risk, high-reward ideas, working hand-in-hand with scientists to accelerate progress against this deadly disease.”  –  Dr. Alison Allan, BCC-TRU Director

Thanks to donor support, the BCC-TRU continues to provide extraordinary support to researchers for high-impact breast cancer research and education.
Related Stories

Donate Today

When you support Breast Cancer Canada, you are helping to improve and save lives through better treatments and early detection of breast cancer.

Donate as
Individual
Legacy
Corporate
Join the Raise More Challenge
1 in 8 Canadian women
will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Get Involved

The more money we raise, the sooner we can end breast cancer. Join us on our mission to end breast cancer.

Host a Fundraiser
Explore More Ways to Get Involved
Charitable Registration Number: 13796 9861 RR0001
© Breast Cancer Canada 2024
Sign up,
Know more.
Twitter Facebook Instagram Linkedin

Search

Search
Close this search box.

I am a

Individual Donor

When you support Breast Cancer Canada, you are helping to improve and save lives through better treatments and early detection of breast cancer.

Donate Now

Learn more about

Gifting securities

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.

Today, most securities are held electronically and are easily transferred from your brokerage account to our BCC brokerage account. Your Financial Advisor can make all the arrangements.

For more information, contact: hello@breastcancerprogress.ca

Send e-cards in memory or honour

Bravery is beautiful. That’s why we encourage you to make a donation in honour of a loved one’s own experience with breast cancer. With your donation, we’ll send a email to acknowledge the dedication to the individual or family.

Make a donation with  eCard by dedicating your donation:

Let’s get started

Corporate matching

Multiply the impact of your donation

Fact: thousands of companies will match donations made by employees.

It’s true, and it’s very generous. Want to know if your company will match your donation to BCC? Use the search tool below. It also has access to all the forms, guidelines, and instructions you need to submit a company-matchable gift donation today.

Search Tool

Monthly Giving

Support life-saving breast cancer research every month of the year.

 

When you make a monthly contribution to Breast Cancer Canada, you provide stable funding for year-round campaigning and allow us to continue to support research projects across Canada.

 

To join, simply pre-authorize a monthly deduction from your credit card.

  1. Online:  Donate Now
  2. By Phone: Sign up as a monthly donor by calling Toll Free: 1-800-567-8767
  3. By Mail


Breast Cancer Canada, National Office
415 Exmouth Street Unit # 101
Sarnia, ON N7T 8A4

You will need to provide us the credit card type, number and expiry date, and the amount you would like to give each month.

I am a

Legacy Donor

Over the last 30 years, many generous donors have left a legacy to Breast Cancer Canada in efforts to advance breast cancer research.

No matter what the form of your gift, you will be remembered by your legacy which will live on through each of the lives you touch with your gift.

Donate Now

Learn more about

Legacy donor

Leave a legacy. Plan for a future gift.

  • Leave a gift in your will
  • Donating a life insurance policy
  • Donate a TFSA, RRSP, or RRIF

Support Breast Cancer Canada with a future gift to create a better future for breast cancer patients. Your gift helps to save lives through early detection and improve outcomes with better treatments.

or more information, please contact: hello@breastcancerprogress.ca


LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL

This is often called a bequest. It’s the simplest way to make a legacy gift. A gift in your will has no effect on your current income and your estate receives a charitable donation tax receipt. Here’s a sample of simple bequest wording : “To pay the sum of $_________ OR _______% of the residue of my estate to Breast Cancer Canada.”


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:

  • Name Breast Cancer Canada as the beneficiary of your policy. BCC will receive your insurance proceeds tax-free. Your estate will receive a donation receipt.


Transfer ownership of a paid-up policy to Breast Cancer Canada now:

  • Want to gift us your existing, paid-up policy right now? Make Breast Cancer Canada the beneficiary and owner of your policy. You will receive a donation receipt for the fair market value of the policy. BCC may redeem the policy now, or hold it and receive the face value in the future – however your gift can be put to best use.


Transfer ownership of a policy on which premiums are still owing to BCC now:

  • Premiums still owing? You can still opt to transfer your policy ownership to BCC. You’ll receive a donation receipt for the policy’s fair market value. Want to make it an ongoing gift? Transfer the ownership to BCC, and still continue to pay the premiums owing. You’ll receive donation receipts for those payments too.


DONATE A TFSA, RRSP, RRIF

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.

For more information, contact: hello@breastcancerprogress.ca

I am a

Corporate Donor

Support life-saving breast cancer research. A corporate donation is a simple and efficient way to demonstrate your corporate support.

To make a one-time or reoccurring corporate donation online, please click here.

Learn more about

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: hello@breastcancerprogress.ca
Phone: 1-800-567-8767 

To make an online corporate donation, please click here.

How to

Support an Event

Make a contribution to a fundraiser being held in support of Breast Cancer Canada. You can search for the organization or person you wish to support; or click on the event name to make a general donation to the Raise More initiative of your choice.

Support Now

How to

Sponsor

Thinking about becoming a corporate partner of Breast Cancer Canada? Amazing. We 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 Charlene Politano today to get started.
Email: cpolitano@breastcancerprogress.ca
Phone: 1-800-567-8767 or 416-352-8567

To make an online corporate donation, please click here.

If you would like to explore other ways to give, we invite you to learn more.

How to

Fundraise

Join the Raise More Challenge

The more money we raise, the sooner we can end breast cancer. The more time researchers have in the lab. The more technology they can use. The more support we can get. Advancements in early detection and personalized treatment are in reach, and with your help to raise funds, we can find a cure sooner.

There are many ways to fundraise – whether you want to create a competition or tournament, fundraise with your team, challenge your colleagues, host a pink party, have a bake sale or cook-off, the idea is to raise more for breast cancer research.

Breast Cancer Canada will empower you with all the tools you need for a successful fundraiser, and if you need more information, contact Dawn Hamilton at: dhamilton@breastcancerprogress.ca  

Join the Raise More Challenge

How to

Volunteer

Volunteers are Breast Cancer Canada’s most important resource, and the backbone of our organization. From helping build our PROgress research to helping breast cancer patients, to supporting events, special fundraising projects and administrative tasks, our volunteers are dedicated to making a positive, life-changing impact.

We ensure our volunteers have the best possible experience and apply the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement.

You can help us end breast cancer by:

  • Volunteering with one of our fundraising campaigns. Or a BCC signature event
  • Helping with local community events where you live
  • Joining our PROgress research at a local hub
  • Assisting us with virtual office tasks

Learn more about our volunteer driven Regional Hubs.

Regional Hubs are an integral part of Breast Canada Canada. We connect communities and those committed to our mission to make the goal local. Together, we can save lives through advancing breast cancer research, coast to coast.

Connect to learn more about what is happening in your area: volunteer@breastcancerprogress.ca