Sierra Pellizzari

Sierra Pellizzari is testing a new targeted breast cancer drug.

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1. Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Sierra Pellizzari. I am a Master of Science (MSc) student in the Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology at Western University. I work under the supervision of Dr. Armen Parsyan and Dr. Alison Allan, and this is my first year in the Translational Breast Cancer Research program. Before starting my MSc, I completed a Bachelor of Medical Sciences degree in Biochemistry and Cancer Biology at Western University.

 2. Why is the TBCRU Studentship Award important to you? 

The TBCRU Studentship award helps fund my graduate studies and research interests. It helps me investigate subjects that impact the treatment and survival of breast cancer patients. It also allows me to participate in other learning opportunities related to my research – I am very grateful!

3. Tell us about your research. What are you doing and what problems do you hope to solve? 

I am working to establish new experimental models from individual breast cancer tumours grown in a petri dish, known as “organoids.” I will then use these patient-derived organoids to test the anti-cancer effects of a new targeted drug called CFI-400945, alone or in combination with radiation therapy. Through this research, I hope to improve outcomes in patients with advanced and metastatic breast cancer.

4. Why is your research important? How can your research be applied in the real world? 

My research is essential because organoid models better represent how patients respond to treatment than existing models currently available. Patient-derived organoid models can play a crucial role in drug screening. They can allow for more personalized breast cancer treatments. Additionally, the combination therapy I am looking at could improve individual therapies’ effectiveness and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

5. What inspired your research?

My supervisor, Dr. Parsyan, has previously investigated the effectiveness of the CFI-400945 drug in immortalized breast cancer cell lines. New treatment options for breast cancer patients are crucial, and the results in these early studies of CFI-400945 are promising. This has inspired my project to continue researching this drug in patient-derived organoid models combined with radiation therapy. The driving force behind our research is the many breast cancer patients who are still seeking a treatment that will work for them.

 6. Why are you passionate about breast cancer research?

I am passionate about breast cancer research because breast cancer impacts so many women in Canada and worldwide. Breast cancer research is continually advancing and improving treatment options and survival for this disease. I am very proud to contribute to the great network of researchers.

 7. Why do you think breast cancer research matters?

Breast cancer affects approximately 1 in 8 Canadian women. It is a leading cause of cancer death, despite many recent advances in understanding and treatment. Breast cancer research is crucial to improve our understanding of the disease and our ability to develop and test new treatments that can help improve outcomes for women with breast cancer. Research provides further information that doctors can use when treating patients to help fight the disease.

 8. What excites you about your work?

What excites me most about my work is its potential to advance the treatment of women with breast cancer. Through research, I can study new topics and discover things that previously have not been known, and this is very exciting to me!

 9. What do you see yourself doing in the future?

In the future, I hope to be working as a medical oncologist who can treat cancer patients while also continuing my work in breast cancer research. Wherever I end up, I hope to help others and advance research in the cancer field.

10. What do you like to do when you aren’t working on research? 

When I’m not working on research, I enjoy reading fictional novels, baking new recipes, playing soccer or football, and zoom calls with friends

SUPPORT RESEARCHERS LIKE SIERRA PELLIZZARI BY CONSIDERING A DONATION TO THE BREAST CANCER SOCIETY OF CANADA. FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP FUND LIFE-SAVING RESEARCH, VISIT BCSC.CA/DONATE TODAY.

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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 Charlene Politano today to get started.
Email: cpolitano@breastcancerprogress.ca
Phone: 1-800-567-8767 or 416-352-8567

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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.

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

To make an online corporate donation, please click here.

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Leave a legacy. Plan for a future gift.

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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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:

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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