$10 million bequest to DMRF jump starts Dalhousie Cancer Research Program
The generosity of one woman, the late Beatrice Hunter, has given focus and impetus to Dalhousie’s wide-ranging cancer research effort. In 1999, she bequeathed $10 million to Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) in memory of her parents, Dr. Owen and Mrs. Pearle Cameron. The Cameron Endowment has since grown to more than $17 million and generates more than $500,000 per year for cancer research.
Mrs. Hunter's bequest was the catalyst that inspired DMRF, Dalhousie Medical School and Cancer Care Nova Scotia to join forces to create the Dalhousie Cancer Research Program (DCRP). DMRF now directs all funding for cancer research to the DCRP. This research effort ranges from fundamental investigations of cancer biology, through drug development efforts, clinical trials, epidemiological studies, health services utilization and outcomes research, and translational research that applies scientific findings to clinical situations. It also includes the Cancer Research Training Program, to nurture the next generation of cancer researchers.
Cameron Endowment funds two cancer research chairs and research scientist award
The Cameron Endowment funds several key research positions at Dalhousie Medical School. These include the Dr. Owen and Mrs. Pearle Cameron Chair in Basic Cancer Research, held by world-renowned scientist, Dr. Patrick Lee since 2003. Dr. Graham Dellaire joined Dalhousie in 2006 to accept the Cameron Research Scientist Award. Recruitment is underway for a second Cameron Chair.
In addition to the Cameron research chair and scientist awards, DMRF has helped fund the Gibran and Jamile Ramia QEII Health Sciences Centre Chair in Surgical Oncology, held by Dr. Geoff Porter.
Click here for more information about the importance of medical research chairs.
2005 Molly Appeal purchases gamma irradiator for cancer research
Cancer researchers at Dalhousie Medical School are tracing the earliest stages of cancer development with new equipment purchased from the proceeds of the 2005 Molly Appeal. Called a gamma irradiator, the machine is used to damage the DNA of experimental cells, triggering a chain reaction that leads to cancer. Understanding the biological changes that take place as cancer develops will lead to better methods of detecting, treating, and even preventing, cancer.
Learn more about Dalhousie Medical School's cancer researchers.