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Four Quebec Hospitals Mobilize to Fight Pediatric Cancer


Thursday, 03 June 2021 08:00.AM

- Four Quebec Hospitals Mobilize to Fight Pediatric Cancer - Fondation Charles-Bruneau Announces Historic Commitment of Over $25M. -

Fondation Charles-Bruneau today announced a historic commitment of more than $25 million over five years to fight pediatric cancer in Quebec. This commitment, which will be the foundation's largest to date, takes a visionary approach in which the collaboration and complementarity of Quebec's four university hospitals specializing in pediatric oncology will be marshalled. Multiple research projects will be funded to strive for a cancer-free childhood for all children in Quebec.

This announcement marks a milestone for Fondation Charles-Bruneau, not only for the magnitude of the investment, but also because the four pediatric oncology centres in Quebec will use their respective expertise and research teams to fight childhood cancer. The battle will be waged on all fronts: cell-by-cell analysis of cancer, simplification of diagnosis and follow-up, precision treatments (targeted therapy, cell and gene therapy), improved nursing care, screening and management of psychological distress (particularly through art therapy), and prevention of cancer's after-effects through the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits. The foundation's vision and leadership will enable pediatric hemato-oncology researchers with the province's four institutions to work together for the benefit of thousands of children and their families across Quebec.

In more concrete terms, the commitment breaks down as follows:

- Nearly $9 million for the CHU Québec-Université Laval to implement a project to improve nursing support for children with cancer, in cooperation with the children and their families.
This project will have an impact throughout Quebec and beyond. By adapting care to the needs of families, this research will heighten the expertise of nurses and facilitate their retention.
- More than $11 million for the CHU Sainte-Justine to support innovative research into cell-by-cell analysis of cancer and development of new treatments (targeted therapies, cellular and gene therapies). The support of Fondation Charles-Bruneau will also make it possible to deliver concrete results of previous research to patients: implementation of molecular diagnostics, support for families in psychological distress, and support for healthy lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of after-effects from cancer and its treatments.
- Close to $250,000 for the CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS to support a pharmacist position dedicated to the development of the pediatric pharmacological research sector in the context of the CHUS's recent membership of the COG, and thus accelerate the opening of therapeutic studies. The support of Fondation Charles-Bruneau will also fund the acquisition of necessary material resources.
- Nearly $5.5 million for the Montreal Children's Hospital to develop a method of detecting and monitoring cancer through a simple blood test, which will help avoid invasive procedures, speed up the diagnosis of solid tumours, and simplify patient follow-up.

Under the aegis of Fondation Charles-Bruneau, the four university hospitals serving pediatric hemato-oncology clientele will share the work in a complementary manner.

Quebec, a leader in pediatric oncology

The many projects that will be supported financially by Fondation Charles-Bruneau will help to promote the expertise of Quebec researchers and position them as leaders in pediatric hemato-oncology on the international scene. Ultimately, the foundation hopes to cure the 20% of children whose cancers are still resistant to treatment and to improve quality of life for children in remission by reducing the side effects and after-effects of their disease. This major commitment offers an extraordinary opportunity to move faster and further, together, towards a cancer-free childhood.

"The commitment is ambitious, but slowing the pace was out of the question. Advances in research and new technologies are extremely promising. The monies required are substantial, but we are convinced that we can continue to count on the ongoing generosity of the general public and our valued partners to be able to carry out these great projects!"
- Pierre Bruneau, founder and spokesperson of Fondation Charles-Bruneau

SOURCE: Fondation Charles-Bruneau