Meet the Researcher: Dr. Vasudeva Bhat

Share

Breast Cancer Society of Canada Written Blog Post Questionnaire 2022: Dr. Vasudeva Bhat

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself (i.e. name, current degree program/department, supervisor/lab, previous education/experience etc.).
My name is Dr. Vasudeva (Vasu) Bhat, and I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the
Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology at Western University. I am co-supervised by Dr.
Alison Allan and Dr. David Palma. I received my Ph.D. from the University of Manitoba.

2. Why is the TBCRU Studentship Award important to you, and how does it advance your research?
This award is very important to me as a researcher and I am both honoured and grateful to
receive this award. It gives me a sense of responsibility as well as provides recognition for
the work we do. As a trainee, it takes the pressure away from the finances and allows me to
focus on my research. Breast cancer is an important healthcare concern worldwide and
supporting researchers and trainees such as myself provides much-needed support in these
challenging times. I want to thank the Breast Cancer Society of Canada for this initiative and
their steadfast support.

3. What is the objective of your research project and what problem(s) you hope to solve?
The objective of my research is to test if blood from breast cancer patients could be used to
identify individuals who respond better to a specialized type of radiation treatment. This
could eventually help in developing more personalized treatment plans that improve the
outcome of breast cancer patients whose disease has spread to specific sites in the body
such as the lung, liver or bone.

4. In a few lines, please describe your research project.
In some breast cancer patients, cancer can spread (metastasize) to one or two organs, but
with only a small number of new tumours. We call this the “oligometastatic” state, and it is
believed that patients with oligometastatic cancer can be treated and even potentially
cured using targeted treatment approaches including a specialized type of radiation call
stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR). My work investigates whether a patients’ blood
contains accurate indicators of whether or not they have oligometastases and/or are good
candidates for treatment with SABR. The indicators in the blood that we are analyzing
include circulating tumour cells, circulating tumour DNA and host immune cells. We are
assessing these indicators and comparing them to patient survival rates and disease
progression after SABR treatment.

5. Have there been any changes to or any advancements in your research since your project began?
Yes, actually, quite a few! We have been able to recruit a total of 107 patients with 4-10
oligometastases to a Phase 3 clinical trial, in collaboration with several Canadian and
international cancer centres. In addition, I am working on two additional breast cancer

projects, one focused on understanding the role of the lung microenvironment in
influencing breast cancer stem cell activity and metastasis and the other focused on
identification of new molecules that could help in enhance the effects of radiotherapy.

6. Have you had an opportunity to present (or publish) your research to your peers or the broader research community? Was it at a national or international meeting or in some other way?
I recently received a travel award (Hellenic Society of Liquid Biopsy & University of Athens)
to present my research at the “Advances in Circulating Tumor Cells” international
conference held at Greece in the fall of 2021. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 travel
restrictions, I was unable to attend the conference. However, I was able to present my
research at the “International Society of Liquid Biopsy III Annual Congress Liquid Biopsy”
virtual meeting instead.

7. If you received feedback following your presentation how has it helped you and your research?
Discussing my research with a broader audience always helps me look at my project from a
different perspective. This also helps me identify limitations and further improve the quality
of my research.

8. How will your research be applied in the clinic or in a real-world setting? How will patients benefit from the results of your work?
Identification of a treatable group of oligometastatic patients is very crucial, and blood-
based indicators could make this possible. Therefore, in the future we hope that a simple
blood test panel could be used to help determine the oligometastatic state and how to best
treat it.

9. Tell us about your involvement in the Breast Cancer Society of Canada fundraising events (Dress for the Cause, Mother’s Day Walk).
I participated in the Mother’s Day walk/One Billion Steps Challenge (May 2021). I was able
to able to raise over $1,000 to support breast cancer research. I was also involved in the
virtual Dress for the Cause events organized during breast cancer awareness month
(October 2021). In addition, I was a member of the Breast Cancer Trivia Night organizing
committee. This year I am looking forward to participating again in the 2022 Mother’s Day
Walk/One Billion Steps Challenge to raise funds and encourage others to support breast
cancer research.

10. What are your hobbies? What are you currently reading, watching or listening to outside of the lab?
I am very passionate about photography. On the side I am also an avid Marvel comic
universe enthusiast!
Related Stories
Charitable Registration Number: 13796 9861 RR0001
© Breast Cancer Canada 2024
Sign up,
Know more.
Twitter Facebook Instagram Linkedin

Search

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

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.

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 Natalina Hamilton: 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 Natalina Hamilton: hello@breastcancerprogress.ca

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 Natalina Hamilton: 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.

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