Canada’s best and brightest unite for cancer research awareness

Credit to Author: Gautam Viswanathan| Date: Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:11:46 +0000

Donovan Bailey, Olympic gold medalist and world champion runner, knows the devastating impact of cancer all too well. “Cancer is the leading cause of death in our country, and like so many other Canadians, it has profoundly impacted my life. I lost my father, George, to this relentless disease — a loss that still shapes me every day. I ‘Carry The Fire’ in his honour, and in honour of the countless others who have faced this terrible disease. Together, we can keep pushing forward — fighting for better treatments, more hope, and ultimately, a future where cancer no longer holds the power to take away those we love,” he said.

Donovan Bailey (center) speaks at the event

Jamaican-born Bailey joined a group of prominent Canadians at the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (PMCF) recently, to launch Carry the Fire, an initiative aimed at raising awareness for cancer research and shifting public attitudes toward the disease. The event also featured five-time Olympic ice-dancing medalist Tessa Virtue, Olympic ice dancer Piper Gilles — herself a cancer survivor treated at PMCF — Olympic gymnast Ellie Black, former Toronto Maple Leafs captains Wendel Clark and Darryl Sittler, and former astronaut Chris Hadfield. Each has a personal connection to cancer, lending their voices to a campaign that will serve as a launchpad for a major fundraising effort in 2026.

For Sittler, the fight against cancer is deeply personal. He lost his wife, Wendy, to the disease, and his grandson, Grayden, recently underwent a stem cell transplant. “It’s such an emotional rollercoaster,” he said. “You get good news, then bad news, then good news again. You go through that emotional journey with them.”

Reflecting on his late wife’s experience, he recalled, “When Wendy was diagnosed in 1998 or 1999, the treatments were so harsh. She dreaded chemotherapy because of the side effects — her hands would tingle, she felt cold all over, and, of course, she got very sick. But she always believed in the possibility of a miracle. She thought, ‘I’m going to be the one they find the cure for,’ and that gave all of us hope. You have to hold on to that belief — you can’t give up.”

For gymnast Ellie Black, supporting Carry the Fire is a deeply personal mission. “I’ve had close family and friends go through cancer,” she said. “Being here and part of this campaign really touches a special place in my heart. Seeing what they’ve been through, being there to support them, and knowing that our efforts in research and development can help other families — it means everything. If we can make even one person feel more supported, they’ll know they have a whole team standing behind them.”

Sangita Patel

To ensure the message reaches as many people as possible, PMCF is rolling out multilingual outreach efforts. “Cancer is such a daunting and scary disease that people sometimes don’t even want to think about it,” said Melanie Johnston, Chief Marketing Officer at PMCF. “The other challenge is making people aware that Princess Margaret is a world-leading cancer research centre. Every donation — big or small — can make a real difference in transforming cancer outcomes.”

PMCF is part of the Cancer Care Network, which delivers crucial treatment and services to patients in remote areas across Canada where specialized care might not be available. “Breakthroughs made here don’t just benefit patients at Princess Margaret,” Johnston noted. “They help patients across Canada and around the world. The research and advancements we achieve are shared widely, ensuring more people get access to life-saving treatments.”

Dr. Stephanie Lhereux, a leading researcher in gynecological oncology at PMCF, emphasized the progress made in cancer research. “Thanks to cancer research, patients are given hope—the belief that they will see another day,” she said. “We are constantly working toward newer, better treatment options. For instance, while chemotherapy remains a key part of gynecological cancer treatment, we now have innovative therapies available for ovarian and endometrial cancers.”

She also stressed the importance of understanding cancer at its roots. “Through research, we learn how cancers begin, spread, and evolve,” she explained. “We can now predict how cancers will develop in patients, which allows us to tailor treatment plans and improve quality of life.”

With Carry the Fire, PMCF hopes to ignite a nationwide conversation — not just about cancer treatment but about the power of research to create a future where more lives can be saved.

Canadian Immigrant is a proud supporter of this initiative

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