Over the past 10 years, The Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers has raised over $133 million for The Princess Margaret, and today it is the largest multi-day walk for women’s cancers in North America.

This year’s Weekend held on September 8th and 9th 2012 saw 4,590 walkers pound rubber to pavement for 60km in support of breast and gynecologic cancers research at The Princess Margaret’s Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute. Thanks to walkers, crew, volunteers, supporters and donors an incredible $10 million was raised to allow world-renowned clinicians and researchers, like Dr. Tak Mak, Director of The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, to continue their valuable work.

All funds raised from this year’s Weekend will be directed towards The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation’s Billion Dollar Challenge in support of Personalized Cancer Medicine. These vitally important ‘personalized’ areas include, detecting cancer earlier, diagnosing cancer more precisely, targeting cancer without damaging healthy tissue and supporting patients and families throughout their journey. Please visit www.endcancer.ca over the upcoming months when we include updated 2012 WEWC donor impact information.

We want to give thanks to dedicated Weekend donors, who over the past ten years have supported research, clinical trials and survivorship programs – all for breast and gynecological cancers. A select few areas where Weekend funds have been allocated include:

Research

• $45.5 million to The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute led by Dr. Tak Mak, with 11 Principal Investigators and over 130 staff.
• $5.2 million to purchase cutting-edge research equipment and support breast cancer research activities in the PMH research expansion at MaRS (Medical and Related Science).
• $3 million to create The Weekend to End Breast Cancer Chair in Breast Cancer Research, held by Dr. Tak Mak, a world renowned cancer research scientist.

Clinical Enhancements

• $3.9 million toward a comprehensive breast imaging program and the purchase of a breast MRI and digital mammography machine.
• $3 million toward a newly revamped and re-designed M. Lau Breast Centre that provides complete care for breast cancer patients.
• $2.4 million to support clinical trials for breast cancer patients, and $500,000 for a fellowship program.

Survivorship

• $8.9 million for the establishment and continued support of the first in-hospital Survivorship Clinic and Program in Canada. This includes ELLICSR, a 12,000-square-foot innovative research centre, led by Dr. Pamela Catton, and www.caringvoices.ca, an award-winning online community for survivors and their families.

• $1 million to provide reconstructive breast surgery for women who have had breast cancer.

To learn more about how you can get involved in the 2013 Weekend that will be held at the Rogers Centre, please visit www.endcancer.ca or call 416-815-9255.