Your Dollars at Work

“I have become a bit cynical over the last few years about people's ability to care for anyone outside their 'inner circle.' This experience has renewed my faith in humanity in general …” - Tamara Flick-Parker

When Susan Leach was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2006, she had every confidence in the leading edge treatment and care she was getting from the Alberta Cancer Board’s Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary.

But she wanted more - an end to her cancer for herself and a future without breast cancer for her daughters. So while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, she began training for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer.  She used it as a chance to get healthier herself and to say thank you to the 2005 walkers who made it possible for her to be one of 180 Alberta women to receive Herceptin while the drug was still under review for government funding.

“I wouldn’t ever wish what I’ve gone through on my daughters,” says Leach.  “I’m very hopeful that by the time they are in their twenties we’ll know a lot more and may even have a way to prevent breast cancer.  Wouldn’t that be great?”

Susan is just one among nearly 1,900 Albertans diagnosed with breast cancer each year -  and she continues to participate in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

This amazing event has achieved more than any other breast cancer fundraising event in the province. It’s raised more than $17 million, in just three years, for research, prevention and screening, equipment and patient programs

Breast cancer patients and their families count on the Alberta Cancer Board and Foundation to provide them with the most effective, compassionate treatment and care available anywhere. Walkers, volunteers and donors of The Weekend to End Breast Cancer  should be proud...  These are your dollars at work! 

The Alberta Breast Cancer Research Initiative

Funds from our first Weekend to End Breast Cancer in 2005 launched a province wide research initiative bringing together top breast cancer researchers.  Twelve new breast cancer research projects received grants in the first year and there are now over 30 research teams in Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge funded with proceeds from the Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

Read more about researchers funded through the Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

Provincial Chair in Breast Cancer Research

A new $5 million Endowed Weekend to End Breast Cancer Research Chair was established with funds raised in 2006 and 2007. Recruitment is now underway for a top researcher with expertise in the field of breast cancer who will play a pivotal role in building strong collaborative relationships with researchers provincially, nationally and internationally. The WEBC Research Chair will offer dedicated leadership to provide vision and strategic direction for the provincial breast cancer research program to advance our understanding and treatment of the disease.

Screening and Prevention

Regular screening is one of the best ways to catch breast cancer at an early stage when it is most treatable. A mobile van with state-of-the-art mammography equipment, purchased with funds from the Weekend to End Breast Cancer, is already offering greater accessibility to breast screening for women in more than 100 rural sites. Over the next few years, new digital technology and public awareness campaigns will be put into place to further enhance the province-wide breast screening program.
 
Full-field digital mammography can improve breast image quality and storage through the digital capture of x-ray images.  The most current evidence suggests that it is more accurate in diagnosing cancer in women younger than 50 years and those with dense breasts. Weekend to End Breast Cancer funding from events in 2006 through 2008 will make the acquisition and implementation of this exciting new technology possible. The projected cost of two customized mobile screening facilities and equipment for fixed sites in Edmonton and Calgary is $10 million.
  

2005 Weekend to End Breast Cancer Funding

• $3 million launched the Alberta Breast Cancer Research Initiative funding 12 new projects
• $1 million provided bridge funding to enable over 180 women to access Herceptin
• $1.1 million purchased a fully equipped van for the provincial Breast Screening Program, a dedicated ultrasound for the breast surgery suite at the Cross Cancer Institute, and a genetic analyzer for breast labs at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre

2006 Weekend to End Breast Cancer Funding

• $3 million was endowed toward establishment of a $5 million Weekend to End Breast Cancer Chair in Breast Cancer Research
• $1.8 million provided ongoing funding for 12 research projects and 9 new research grants under the Alberta Breast Cancer Research Initiative 
• $2.3 million was set aside for the purchase of new technology for the provincial Breast Screening Program
• $10,000 sponsored the Positively Pink Breast Health Education Conference in Calgary

2007 Weekend to End Breast Cancer Funding

• $2 million was endowed to complete funding of the Weekend to End Breast Cancer Research Chair. Recruitment is now underway
• $2 million was restricted for the purchase of digital technology and mobile screening facilities for the breast screening program 
• $2.1 million provided ongoing funding for 31 breast cancer research programs
• $50,000 sponsored Positively Pink Breast Health Education Conferences in Calgary and Edmonton

Learn more about Alberta Cancer Foundation donor dollars at work

My name is Linda Mickelson and I am the CEO of the Alberta Cancer Foundation. I invite you to learn more about how donor dollars are making a difference for all Albertans by checking out our 2007 Annual Report, Because We Care.

Last year was the fourth time I walked in The Weekend to End Breast Cancer and I look forward to doing it again in 2008! It is an extraordinary event that is having a tremendous impact on breast cancer research and patient care in Alberta. I'm walking for my sister who is among thousands of other Canadians fighting this devastating disease. I wouldn’t miss it for anything and I hope you’ll be there too, along with other enthusiastic walkers, crew members and volunteers. Together we are on the road to victory against breast cancer!