MOHCCN News

In the Spotlight: Media Coverage of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network in Phase 1

Close up of Canada on globe with Canada flag

From its launch in 2019 to the close of Phase 1, the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network steadily captured the attention of national, regional and local media outlets across Canada—reflecting both the scale of its ambition and its growing impact on cancer research and care.  

Over the last five years, national broadcasters, regional newspapers and major publications including The Globe and Mail, CTV News, CBC, and Global News highlighted the Network’s progress, from foundational investments and infrastructure-building to patient-driven research and data-sharing breakthroughs. Coverage evolved alongside the Network itself, shifting from announcements of a bold, pan-Canadian vision to stories of real-world impact for patients, researchers and communities. 

Together, these media moments tell the story of how a transformative initiative in precision oncology entered the national conversation—and stayed there. 

2026

Title: World Cancer Day 2026 Media Coverage 
Date: February 4, 2026 
Description: On Feb 4, 2026 the Terry Fox Foundation announced that it had reached $1B raised for cancer research. CEO Michael Mazza completed several fantastic interviews, which included mentions of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, including with 680 News, CBC, CP24, Breakfast Television, NewsTalk 1010, CityNews, and CHCH Morning Live.  

2025

Title: Data Sharing and Use Pilot program captures national media attention 
Date: December 3, 2025 
Description: Since its announcement in September, our Data Sharing and Use Pilot program has captured the attention of news outlets nationwide, underscoring just how exciting and essential the Gold Cohort and these collaborative data-sharing projects truly are.  
Links: 

  •  “This is the point where we’ve been trying to get for decades”: CTV National News spoke to Sherri Christian, Atlantic Cancer Consortium leader and cancer researcher, about what having access to Gold Cohort data could do for researchers like her across Canada.  

  • New hope for glioblastoma patients: A beautiful article published by the Telegraph Journal in Fredericton, NB showcases how an MOHCCN Data Sharing and Use Pilot project is bringing new hope to family members of patients diagnosed with deadly brain cancers.  

  • Coast to Coast Gold Standard Care: A story published in The Telegram, showcases how a research team at Memorial University will analyze part of the 15,000-patient Gold Cohort database, work that could shape future cancer treatments for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.  

 

Title: The Gold Cohort – A Once-in-a-Generation Breakthrough 
Date: December 1, 2025 
Description: Feature sponsored article published in the Globe and Mail highlighting the significance of the Gold Cohort and its potential to transform cancer research and patient outcomes through large-scale, pan-Canadian data integration. 

Title: Building Sequencing Capacity in the Maritimes 
Date: October 2025 
Description: Media coverage from the Telegraph Journal and CTV News spotlighted new genomic sequencing technology at the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute in Moncton, enabled in part by MOHCCN funding, and its potential impact on patients and researchers in the region. 

Title: World Cancer Day 2025 – Finish It Campaign Launch 
Date: February 4, 2025 
Description: The Terry Fox Foundation and Terry Fox Research Institute launched the Finish It campaign at TIFF Lightbox in Toronto, featuring strong participation from MOHCCN members, including patient advocates and research leaders. The campaign generated 982 media hits, with widespread national coverage across major outlets such as CTV, Global News, CityNews, and CBC Radio-Canada. 
Links:  

  • CP24 - Marco Marra + Yuan Lew interview segment  

  • CP24 - Kirsten Fox + Yuan Lew interview segment  

  • CTV News - Pauline Chan segment: Kirsten Fox, Marco Marra, Yuan Lew & Mark Gold interviews  

  • CityNews - Jim Woodgett interview  

  • 640 Toronto - Jim Woodgett interview (Part 1 & Part 2)  

  • Global News - Kirsten Fox, Marco Marra & Yuan Lew interview segment  

2024

Title: Patient Voices in Research Announcement 
Date: December 17, 2024 
Description: Announcement of 10 funded projects through the Patient Voices in Research initiative, a program designed and adjudicated by the Patient Working Group. Partner organizations amplified the announcement, resulting in media coverage from CTV News Halifax and CBC News Calgary. 

Title: New Hope for Patients with Pancreatic Cancer 
Date: June 21, 2024 
Description: Sponsored feature published in the Globe and Mail exploring emerging research and treatment advances offering new hope for pancreatic cancer patients. 

Title: Leading Terry Fox-Funded Scientists Forge a New Era in Cancer Research 
Date: May 30, 2024 
Description: Open letter published in The Globe and Mail following TFRI’s 10th Scientific Meeting, with over 100 signatories calling for urgent support for cancer research in Canada. 
 

Title: Connecting Cancer Research with Precision Care 
Date: May 16, 2024 
Description: Sponsored content by our partners at the QEII Foundation in Nova Scotia, highlighting efforts to integrate cancer research with precision care approaches, with a focus on Atlantic Canada. 

2023

Title: Patient Working Group Learning Exchange Event 
Date: November 28, 2023 
Description: The Patient Working Group held its first-ever learning exchange event, bringing members together in person and virtually. Local and national media covered the event, notably Global News in Nova Scotia and Canadian Press, which resulted in national coverage. 

Title: Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope Engaged All Canadians, Cancer Research Must Do the Same 
Date: September 16, 2023 
Description: Op-ed by Nadine Caron in The Globe and Mail emphasizing the need for inclusive, nationwide engagement in cancer research, inspired by Terry Fox’s legacy—and the Network’s role in making this happen. 

2019

Title: Minister of Health Ginette Petitpas Taylor announces investment of $150M to create “Team Canada of Cancer Research” 
Date: July 10, 2019 
Description: An official announcement from the Federal Government in Moncton grabs national and local media attention. 

Title: New opinion piece on Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres published in Hill Times 
Date: June 04, 2019 
Description: An opinion piece published in the Hill Time by Oakville PM Pam Damoff highlights the impact that the new network will have on cancer research and care across Canada and calls the Federal government's decision to invest up to $150 million a "transformational investment in cancer research that brings us one step closer to ending cancer". 
 

Title: Institute Unveils “Team Canada” of Cancer Research 
Date: April 12, 2019 
Description: Coverage of the original announcement of a pan-Canadian cancer research initiative, bringing together leading experts to advance collaboration and innovation in cancer research. 
Links: 

 

"Coverage evolved alongside the Network itself, shifting from announcements of a bold, pan-Canadian vision to stories of real-world impact for patients, researchers and communities."