Cancer remains the leading cause of death for Canadians. More than 50% of cancers are currently diagnosed at an advanced stage. Many patients with late-stage disease face significant physical, emotional, social, and caregiver challenges, and their outcomes are poorer. Such a world-leading early detection program will revolutionize cancer care by identifying the disease when treatment is most likely to succeed, ultimately allowing more patients to be cured.
“Currently, the tremendous promise of early detection remains unfulfilled. Established methods to screen for cancer or detect cancer signals in the blood for the general population are neither cost-efficient nor practical,” said Dr. Miyo Yamashita, President and CEO of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
“We are in an unprecedented time in history where healthcare progress is at risk due to funding cuts in research. Generosity of this magnitude is transformative. We are incredibly grateful to Peter Gilgan for his visionary and philanthropic leadership, sharing our conviction that early detection research will help move us closer to a world free from the fear of cancer.”
The Peter Gilgan Centre for Early Cancer Detection Research will launch a three-pillar program aimed at pioneering early detection research. Led by our scientists – world leaders with diverse expertise in this promising field – this initiative will accelerate the translation of new discoveries and technologies for early detection into improved patient care and outcomes, enabling more people – adults and children alike – to live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
“Cancer is a cause that has touched my family and loved ones, and it affects far too many Canadians,” said Peter Gilgan. “Now is the time to invest in Canada’s capacity for world-class research and innovation. I am compelled to make this significant gift to establish a centre of this kind, one that will strengthen our country’s research and catalyze better outcomes that will create a lasting impact on patients here in Canada and around the world.”
We are deeply grateful to Peter Gilgan and the Peter Gilgan Foundation for their visionary commitment to accelerating early detection and enhancing health outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients everywhere.
If you’re ready to help us revolutionize cancer research and care, please reach out to us today.
Contact
Angela L. Murphy
Chief Development Officer
Published November 26, 2025