Progress in Breast Cancer Care: The Promise of Precision Diagnostics

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In the relentless pursuit to end breast cancer, strides are being made, thanks to innovative research and investments driving progress in precision diagnostics. 

Breast Cancer Canada proudly supports the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), where groundbreaking advancements are emerging from the Diagnostic Development program. The progress holds promise to revolutionize breast cancer care, offering tailored treatments based on individual patient needs.

Precision Medicine: Tailoring Treatment For Improved Outcomes

Breast cancer management is not a one-size-fits-all. With over 50 different types of breast cancer, each patient’s journey is unique, demanding personalized treatment and tailored approaches for their care. This is where precision medicine comes into play. Dr. Jane Bayani and Dr. Melanie Spears, Co-Directors of Diagnostic Development at OICR, are spearheading efforts to develop tests that predict how breast cancer patients will respond to treatment. Their work focuses on identifying biomarkers that guide treatment decisions, ensuring patients receive therapies with the highest likelihood of success for their specific type.

Predicting Risk of Cancer Recurrence

For patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, recurrence risk is a pressing concern. Bayani and her team have developed a groundbreaking test that analyzes 95 genetic markers, providing invaluable insights into recurrence risk. This test empowers clinicians to tailor treatment strategies, offering targeted therapies to high-risk patients while sparing others from unnecessary interventions. The test’s reproducibility and global patenting signify a significant step towards making personalized medicine accessible worldwide.

Optimizing Treatment Efficacy

While certain treatments, like anthracyclines, are highly effective against breast cancer, they come with some potential risks too. Dr. Spears and her collaborators have devised an assay to predict patient response to anthracyclines, mitigating the risk of adverse effects. By identifying patients who will benefit most from these treatments, clinicians can minimize side effects and optimize outcomes, enhancing both longevity and quality of life for breast cancer survivors.

The Path to More Personalized Care

As diagnostic tests transition from development to clinical implementation, the vision of personalized medicine comes closer to realization. OICR’s commitment to translational research and infrastructure has been instrumental in this journey. Through strategic partnerships and ongoing validation efforts, Dr. Bayani and Dr. Spears, and their teams are paving the way for a future where every breast cancer patient receives tailored care, maximizing their chances of survival and well-being.

Looking Ahead

The advancements in precision diagnostics at OICR continue progress for a new era in breast cancer care. With continued support and collaboration, the promise of personalized medicine can become a reality for patients across the country. Together, we can transform the landscape of breast cancer treatment, offering personalized and tailored approaches.

Breast Cancer Canada is driving progress towards a future without breast cancer. Through innovation, collaboration, and unwavering determination, we are closer than ever to conquering this disease, one personalized treatment at a time.

Please donate today: breastcancerprogress.ca/donate
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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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  

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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