Two Foundations - One Fight Against Cancer
BC Cancer Foundation’s Connection to the Canary Derby
The US-based Canary Foundation invested $1 million in the BC Cancer Foundation to support early detection cancer research that BC Cancer Agency researchers here in Victoria are conducting. Without BC Cancer Foundation donations supporting BC Cancer Agency researchers, this $1 million investment would not have happened.
What is happening in early detection cancer research?
The Canary Project
For many types of cancer, it is easier to treat and cure the cancer if it is found early. There are many different types of cancer, but most cancers begin with abnormal cells growing out of control, forming a lump or tumour. The tumour can continue to grow until the cancer begins to spread to other parts of the body. If the tumour can be found while it is still small and localized, it can often be cured by surgery and other standard treatments.
The Deeley Research Centre’s Antibody Research Unit is collaborating with a group of leading scientists from the United States to develop a rapid and accurate immunoassay that will detect ovarian cancer at an early stage, when it is still highly curable.
Vancouver Island’s role as a global player in the fight against cancer was recently strengthened when a US donor chose the BC Cancer Agency’s Trev & Joyce Deeley Research Centre in Victoria to help develop a screening test for ovarian cancer.
The BC Cancer Foundation received a $1-million donation and a challenge from California- based Don Listwin, a 25-year-veteran in the high-tech industry, for an ambitious research project that he hopes will produce a simple, life-saving blood test by the end of the decade. Mr. Listwin made the donation through Canary Foundation, which he founded after his mother's death from ovarian cancer. The mission of Canary Foundation is to advance early detection of cancer, when it is most treatable and chances for a full recovery are greatest.
Your support of BC Cancer Foundation is making a difference!
The GenoLogics Connection to Canary Foundation and the BC Cancer Foundation
In February 2005, Canary Foundation Founder and President Don Listwin spoke with a Seattle, Washington venture capitalist, expressing his interest in investing in companies doing bioinformatics. Coincidentally, the venture capitalist had just invested in a bioinformatics company based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, named GenoLogics Life Sciences Software Inc.
The venture capitalist firm set up an introduction for Don, who came to Victoria soon after to visit GenoLogics’ CEO, Michael Ball. Don examined their business plan and decided to invest some money in GenoLogics. Some time later, he also accepted an invitation to become a business advisor, and then a member of GenoLogics’ Board.
Then Don introduced Michael to members of Canary Foundation’s scientific advisory board, who helped the GenoLogics team gain a greater understanding of how systems biology (or “team science”) can be used to identify ovarian biomarkers.
Meanwhile, GenoLogics grew rapidly, and with it, Michael’s conviction that it was time to connect the company and its people to a cause beyond the corporate bottom line.
He decided to get GenoLogics involved with Canary Foundation and its leading edge mission to support research into early detection of cancer. Michael felt there was a good fit between GenoLogics’ mission ― to provide solutions that accelerate the prevention and cure of diseases such as cancer ― and Canary Foundation’s commitment to changing the course of cancer research by accelerating early cancer detection.
His next step was obvious. Michael knew that world-class research was being done at the BC Cancer Agency and that cancer outcomes in B.C. were the best in the country. So he suggested that Don consider expanding the Canary Foundation network into Canada to include the BC Cancer Agency and its fundraising arm, the BC Cancer Foundation.
Don and Canary’s Scientific Advisory Board agreed, and Michael set up meetings with key individuals at both the BC Cancer Foundation and the BC Cancer Agency in November 2005.
As a result, the BC Cancer Agency’s Trev and Joyce Deeley Reseach Centre in Victoria, and its director Dr. Brad Nelson, were identified as potential research partners. To support this research initiative, Canary Foundation donated $1 million (CAD) to the BC Cancer Foundation. To keep the ball rolling and kick-off additional fundraising for the cause, GenoLogics along with other local technology companies announced a soap box derby to be held in June 2006 as Canary Foundation’s first Canadian fundraising event.
More information on GenoLogics: www.genologics.com
