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Supporting Princess Margaret Hospital
The walkers, volunteers, supporters and donors of WEBC throughout the years are extremely important to the work at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).
The money you raise for The Weekend to End Breast Cancer will benefit Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), Canada’s leading cancer research centre. Princess Margaret Hospital has assembled a team of world - class doctors and scientists whose sole vision is to conquer cancer for those struggling right now and for those yet to be diagnosed.
Critical Areas of Support:
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A total of $20.5 million to The Campbell Family Institute for breast cancer research, led by Dr. Tak Mak, directly from WEBC. The Institute now has 11 Principal Investigators and a research team over 130 strong; -
$3 million went to support the work of the first ever The Weekend to End Breast Cancer Chair in Breast Cancer Research, held by Dr. Tak Mak, a world renowned scientist; -
$3.4 million pledged to support a comprehensive breast imaging program led by Dr. Thomas Helbich and funds towards the purchase of a Breast MRI at PMH; -
Over $3.4 million to purchase cutting edge research equipment and support breast cancer research activities in the PMH research expansion at MaRS; -
Over $3.3 million in funding for the establishment and continued support of the first comprehensive WEBC Survivorship Clinic and Program in Canada; -
Over $2 million in funding to support critical clinical trials for PMH breast cancer patients; -
A newly renovated and re-designed M. Lau Breast Centre that provides complete care for breast cancer patients from screening and diagnosis through treatment and survivorship; -
$1.35 million to support two Breast Cancer Tumour Banks and one corresponding database at PMH; -
$250,000 to support Dr. Norman Boyd’s research into breast cancer prevention focusing on the understanding of mammographic density as a risk factor, its measurement, its causes and its significance as a biomarker of breast cancer risk; -
$1.48 million to support Dr. David McCready’s pioneering Rapid Diagnosis pilot program, recently featured on the front page of the Toronto Star; -
$350,000 to support the clinical trial of intraoperative radiation therapy, led by Dr. David McCready and Dr. Anthony Fyles. The procedure delivers a one-time dose of radiation during surgery, takes less than an hour, and eliminates the need for further radiation treatments; and -
Funding to support Dr. Pamela Ohashi’s research into T cell activation and tumor immunity, leading to important alternatives for breast cancer treatment by harnessing the body’s own immune system to target the cancer cells.
Videos
Click on the images below to hear doctors from Princess Margaret Hospital explain how the funds you raise are being put to good use.
  
Net proceeds from our four WEBC walks are furthering our quest to conquer breast cancer with these programs:
 My name is Paul Alofs, and I am President and CEO of The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. I'd like to invite you to learn more about The Foundation by checking our latest Report to Our Donors 2006 now available online in user-friendly format at pmhf.ca.
Last year was the fourth year that I and some of our Board members, staff and volunteers walked in The Weekend to End Breast Cancer and it was the best yet! Our Board members, staff, volunteers, patients and their families and friends feel incredibly grateful to be part of this extraordinary event. We're already looking forward to next year’s walk - our 5th annual - the weekend of Sept. 7-9
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Leading Research
Each year since the WEBC began in 2003, $5 million of the funds raised are allocated to The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research at Princess Margaret Hospital. Monies raised by walkers also established a $3 million WEBC Chair in Breast Cancer Research, to be awarded to the Director of The Campbell Institute.
The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research at PMH
Under the leadership of Dr. Tak Mak, who is the first Weekend to End Breast Cancer Chair in Breast Cancer Research, The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research at PMH brings Canada’s top researchers together to mount a multi-pronged attack on breast cancer. This team, in association with a network of international partners, will:
The hospital's M. Lau Breast Centre has been revamped into a well designed, integrated and highly functional new breast centre, made possible by the WEBC The new centre, which includes a distinctive, patient-oriented The Weekend to End Breast Cancer Survivorship Centre , officially opened in August 2006, in time for many walkers to have a sneak preview before last year’s walk.
Superb Clinical Care
WEBC funds of more than $15 million in four years are also helping PMH realize its vision to establish:
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A comprehensive program for breast cancer survivors
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A screening program to promote early detection of breast cancer
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A rapid diagnosis pilot program to get answers faster
The PMH Breast Cancer Survivorship Program
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For breast cancer survivors and their families, the PMH survivorship program, led by Dr. Pam Catton, medical director of patient education and survivorship, and her team, provides a community of care, support and information.
A very special meeting place is now at the heart of the hospital’s breast centre - The Weekend to End Breast Cancer Survivorship Centre www.survivorship.ca. For survivors, the Breast Cancer Survivorship program - Walking together with, through and beyond - is a new part of PMH's commitment to provide excellent care for patients and their families, thanks to WEBC support. The program features peer and clinical support, guidance in self-care and how to navigate the healthcare system, and a new virtual on-line community, Caring Voices www.caringvoices.ca.
Promoting Early Detection and Getting Answers Faster
Thanks to The Weekend, Dr. David McCready, head of the breast site, and his team are using state-of-the-art digital mammography and promoting early detection in the community. They are also piloting a process for streamlining all examinations and procedures so the team can deliver a faster diagnosis and start treatment earlier.
Early detection - is an effective way to detect breast cancer and PMH has expanded its breast screening program in the community to encourage women over 50 to have regular mammography. One of two new, state-of-the-art digital mammography machines that will be used in this program was purchased with funds raised by the WEBC.
When a suspicious abnormality is detected through breast screening or a clinical examination, patients will eventually be able to consult with surgeons, radiologists and pathologists in a single visit so that rapid diagnosis and a treatment plan can be completed quickly. WEBC proceeds purchased a key piece of equipment that is used in this program, the Xpress Rapid Tissue Processor, one of the world's most advanced biopsy testing systems.
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