The day after the 44th annual Terry Fox Run takes place in nearly 600 communities across Canada, research on cancer cures will resume at various centres in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
That’s the also the case for funds raised at Lloydminster run on Sunday, Sept. 15 at Bud Miller All Seasons Park.
Registration takes place at 9 a.m at with the 2.5 kilometre or 5km run/walk starting at 10 a.m. outside the PSM Park Centre.
The Terry Fox Foundation has raised $900 million to fund life-changing research from the runs.
The foundation notes some interesting and innovative research projects are happening in Western Canada funded through the Terry Fox Research Institute and the recently launched Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network.
The new cancer centres network is a collective of the country’s top hospitals, research universities, and health authorities, including the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, and the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Manitoba and Cancer Care Manitoba.
For example, research at U of S, led by Dr. Deborah Anderson, a scientist with the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency includes studying the role of a metastasis suppressor protein in breast cancer progression with a goal to develop new drugs to block breast cancer metastasis.
Another research project led by Dr. Franco Vizeacoumar at the cancer agency, focuses on developing personalized targeted cancer therapies for solid tumours using a genetic approach known as synthetic lethality.
This method involves identifying genetic alterations in cancer cells that can be exploited to create effective therapeutic targets, leading to more precise and personalized treatment options for cancer patients.
In Manitoba, Dr. Sachin Katyal, an associate professor based at the University of Manitoba, is a leading researcher in precision oncology, a cancer treatment that targets the specific characteristics of each individual’s tumour.
As a member of the cancer centre network, he is appreciative of the Terry Fox Run and the fundraisers that give generously to it and plans to run himself.
“On the research side, we can see the light ahead, can see how much closer we are to huge breakthroughs in not only treating, but preventing cancer,” said Katyal.
“Each trial we take towards proving our theories takes time and money, test after test, searching and re-searching.”
“When donors give to the Terry Fox Run, you enable us to get closer to that common dream of ending cancer.”
This year’s run motto is No Matter What in recognition of Fox’s determination to fight cancer.
Fox lost his right leg to cancer in 1977 and embarked on his cross country Marathon of Hope in 1980 to fund a cure for cancer.
He was forced to stop his run outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs. Fox died on June 28, 1981 at the age of 22.
The annual Terry Fox Run keeps that mission going and allows anyone, any age, from anywhere, with any ability to support his goal.
Register to participate in your local Terry Fox Run online at https://run.terryfox.ca/Lloydminster.
When donors give to the Terry Fox Run, you enable us to get closer to that common dream of ending cancer.” Join Dr. Katyal, his family, and colleagues at the Winnipeg Terry Fox Run or support him by donating online at run.terryfox.ca/Winnipeg.
Read More: Community comes together for Terry Fox
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