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From left: Jess Kaknevicius, CEO of Forests Canada, in a local forest in Barrie, Ont., earlier this year. Forests Canada has facilitated the planting of more than 46.5 million trees since 2007. FORESTS CANADA

Increasing habitat to support biodiversity is a priority, says Forests Canada

We’ve come a long way since Terry Fox was first diagnosed with cancer in 1977. Back then, oncologists had limited options and treatments were often harsh and ineffective. In fact, at that time, only half the people diagnosed survived five years after their initial diagnosis. That number is now up to 68 per cent.

Today, cancer researchers in Canada and around the world are increasingly optimistic about improving patients’ survival and quality of life. This is fuelled by the collective efforts of scientists, oncologists, patients and donors. Together, they’ve brought us to the cusp of a renaissance in cancer research.

For the first time, we have tools – including advanced imaging and sequencing technologies, AI and machine learning – to study vast stores of data that will help unlock the secrets of the 200+ diseases we call “cancer.” This is also driving a more personalized approach to cancer care that tailors the treatment to each patient and their tumours’ unique biology.

These efforts are catalyzed through the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network. Led by the Terry Fox Research Institute and the Terry Fox Foundation, and funded by the Government of Canada and dozens of partners across the country, this unprecedented initiative seeks to accelerate precision oncology and improve patient outcomes.

In this Q&A, Dr. Sachin Katyal, one of Canada’s leading cancer researchers, shares his excitement and explains why now is the time to double down on research … and fundraising.

Why is this such a significant and exciting time for cancer research?

We’ve learned more in the last 10 years than we have in the previous 50! And the pace continues to accelerate. Today, we have a more comprehensive understanding of tumours; we can detect cancers earlier; we have innovative treatments options and clinical trials; and we have incredible advances in health information, bioinformatics and artificial intelligence.

How is this improving patient outcomes?

Gone are the days of “one-size-fits-all” cancer treatment. We’re in the age of genomics, genetics and precision oncology, so we’re starting to tailor treatments to individuals and their specific tumours. And along with new curative approaches for some cancers, we’re seeing real advances in quality of life by managing some cancers as we would other chronic diseases.

Tell us about your research.

All cells have the innate ability to repair DNA damage. When someone has cancer, we try to kill those cells with chemotherapy or radiation. The goal is to inflict so much damage to the DNA that the cells can’t repair themselves and die. But some tumour cells adapt to this damage with a supercharged form of DNA repair. When this happens, the cancer can recur and become resistant to treatment. We’re looking at why cancer cells develop this hyperactive DNA repair and how we can trigger them to respond to drugs or other therapies.

Progress in cancer research seems slow. Is it?

I often say that today’s medicine is yesterday’s science. Decades of past research have gone into today’s treatments. That’s why it’s so important to keep investing in research: so we can develop tomorrow’s treatments.

If you were speaking with a donor – or a potential donor – what would you say?

I’d say thank you! And then I’d talk about Terry. He didn’t have time to finish university, yet he’s arguably one of most consequential cancer research innovators of all time. Many major cancer research findings in Canada can be linked to the Terry Fox Research Institute and its funding, research programs and collaborations. Simply put, without your dollars, our research couldn’t go forward.

More impact. More discoveries. More hope.

Gifts to the Terry Fox Foundation fuel innovation and healing. And they create a virtuous circle of research, discovery and hope. Dr. Katyal is just one example. In 2018, he became the first researcher in Manitoba to receive the $450,000 Terry Fox New Investigator Award for his “quick-to-clinic” personalized medicine approach to improve treatment for patients with malignant brain tumours.

Today, Dr. Katyal is an associate professor at the University of Manitoba, senior scientist at the Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute, and director of the Manitoba Tumour Bank at CancerCare Manitoba. He also plays a pivotal role to ensure cancer patients in Manitoba (and across Canada) benefit from the groundbreaking work of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network.

Triple your impact this GivingTuesday with a gift to the Terry Fox Foundation in support of life-changing research. You can be the reason Canada’s very best cancer researchers have more funding … families have more time … patients have more hope.

Learn more: terryfox.org

To view this report on The Globe's website, visit globeandmail.com

To view the full report as it appeared in The Globe's print edition Celebrating GivingTuesday