MOHCCN News

Exciting news about the future of our Network! A letter from Dr. André Veillette

Dr. André Veillette, Executive Director for Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, shares exciting updates from across the network

Dear Colleagues, 

I’m delighted to write to you at an exhilarating moment for our Network and for cancer research and care in Canada! 

Last week, Parliament officially approved the 2025 Federal Budget, which includes funding for Phase 2 of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network! This extraordinary milestone reflects the Government of Canada’s confidence in our mission, and is a testament to the remarkable achievements, collaboration and commitment each of you has demonstrated over the last several years.  

Phase 2 is set to kick off next year and marks the beginning of an ambitious new chapter for our Network, one that will allow us to expand our precision oncology initiatives, deepen our national partnerships and accelerate the translation of research into real-world benefits for cancer patients across the country. With this renewed support, we have a rare and powerful opportunity to build on the foundation we have created together and help shape the future of cancer research and care in this incredible country. 

As we start looking ahead at this new phase, our eyes are still set on completing the ambitious goals we set for ourselves during Phase 1. In this sense, I have more incredible news to share: after a record-breaking month of case accrual, we now have 13,000 cases sequenced for the Gold Cohort and nearly 8,000 completed cases with clinical data. This means we are now within reach of our 15,000 case goal, something that seemed nearly impossible just a few years ago! 

This success belongs to all of you. On behalf of TFRI leadership and the entire MOHCCN team, I want to thank you for your dedication, passion and belief in what we’re building. I also want to thank you for your patience, your support and your flexibility as we built this Network. Getting an unprecedented initiative like this off the ground is not easy, but together we have built a Network that is having a real impact on cancer research and care in this country. I look forward to working with all of you as we embark on this next phase—stronger, more united and more energized than ever. 

Don’t forget: in 1980, Terry Fox started a marathon against cancer. Together, we can FINISH IT. 

Sincerely, 
Dr. André Veillette 
Executive Director 
Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network 

Other News 

Network news 

  • New federal funding for Phase 2: Read the statement from the Terry Fox Research Institute regarding the Federal Budget 2025 and the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network.

  • Exciting milestone: In September, we announced that the Network was opening Gold Cohort data to research teams for the first time through a new pilot program aimed at validating our data sharing and access protocols, while advancing cancer research. 

  • Annual Operational Meeting: In September, nearly 140 Network member met in Winnipeg for our annual Operational Meeting to share stories, exchange ideas and reaffirm our commitment to finish the marathon against cancer that Terry Fox began 45 years ago. 

Network voices 

  • “Why I’m so excited about the Network’s potential to transform cancer research and care”:  In an energizing opinion piece, Dr. Catalina Lopez-Correa explained why the promise of MOHCCN is profoundly exciting to her as a physician, scientist and cancer patient. 

  • Meet the Team Canada of Cancer Research: We spoke to two invaluable members of the Network, MOHCCN Windsor Lead, Dr. Lisa Porter, and Dr. Versha Banerji, clinician-scientist in Winnipeg, about how their work with MOHCCN is contributing to better outcomes for cancer patients across Canada.  

  • “Who are we? We are the PWG”: Patient Working Group member, Bev Riediger shared a moving poem about what it means to be part of the Patient Working Group. 

In the Media 

  • Building sequencing capacity in the Maritimes: The Atlantic Cancer Research Institute in Moncton, NB will soon benefit from top-of-line genomic technology thanks in part to MOHCCN funding. The Telegraph Journal and CTV News highlighted the transformative potential of this equipment for patients and researchers in the region.  

  • MUN cancer researchers gain access to Canada’s largest-ever cancer data set: A story published in The Telegram, showcases how the team will analyze part of the 15,000-patient Gold Cohort database, work that could shape future cancer treatments for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Events 

  • NEXT EVENT: MOHCCN Trainee Seminar - Health Informatics & Data Science Award: Register now and join us on Dec. 18 at 9am PST / 12pm EST to learn more about how the next generation of experts in precision oncology is using Network-generated "big data" and disruptive technologies to advance cancer research and care! 

"Phase 2 is set to kick off next year and marks the beginning of an ambitious new chapter for our Network, one that will allow us [...] to accelerate the translation of research into real-world benefits for cancer patients across the country."

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