Six Ontario Researchers have received funding of $500,000 OR $1 million to further cancer research over the next five years, Cancer Care Ontario’s Research Program announced today.

“This program supports Ontario’s ability to translate cancer research into better cancer services and control,” said Terrence Sullivan, President and CEO, Cancer Care Ontario. “Cancer patients in Ontario live longer and enjoy a better quality of life than ever before because of advancements in research.”

Research, under CCO’s Research Chairs program, will generate knowledge that can be applied to the delivery of cancer care in Ontario.

The Program, funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, is designed to attract new leading scientists to Ontario and support outstanding scientists already working in the province. The Program focuses on quickly turning research findings into improvements in cancer services and clinical care for patients.

“Research drives improvements in cancer prevention, detection, and care,” said Dr. Joe Pater, Vice President, Clinical and Translational Research, Cancer Care Ontario. “The Research Chairs program builds Ontario’s capacity to undertake research that will benefit cancer patients in the future and ensure that the province continues to be a leader in developing the knowledge needed to improve cancer services.”

In addition to the five-year funding, the 2010 award recipients are eligible for an additional three-year renewal. There are two levels of awards, $500,000 for scientists beginning their careers and $1 million for established scientists.

In the past two-years, CCO’s Research Chairs program has funded the research of 13 scientists. The 2010 awards will build Ontario’s research capacity in three priority areas – cancer imaging, experimental therapeutics and health services research.

The 2010 recipients are:

Cancer Imaging

Gabor Fichtinger , Queen’s University
London Regional Cancer Program/University of Western Ontario - Recruitment License*

Experimental Therapeutics

Penelope Bradbury , Kingston General Hospital, Queen’s University
Richard Kim , London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario

Health Services Research

Michael Brundage , Kingston General Hospital, Queen’s University
Anna Sawka , University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital

* An award facilitating the recruitment of a particular type of scientist to the Research Chair position

Applications – evaluated by a panel of experts – were considered based on scientific excellence and strategic alignment with CCO’s scientist network program’s four research themes: cancer imaging, therapeutic research, health services research and population studies.

View biographies on the 2010 award recipients

Cancer Care Ontario is the provincial agency responsible for continually improving cancer services. As the government’s cancer advisor, Cancer Care Ontario works to reduce the number of people diagnosed with cancer, and make sure patients receive better care every step of the way.