“We’re very proud to establish the Yamana Gold Research Acceleration Fund at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre,” said Peter Marrone, Founder and Executive Chairman of Yamana Gold Inc. “Investment and partnership with our local communities is an incredibly important part of who we are as a business.”
With The Princess Margaret uniquely equipped to lead the next era of cancer care, the Yamana Gold Research Acceleration Fund will create the Yamana Gold Discovery to Impact Grant and two Yamana Gold Cancer Research Fellowships.
“With the world facing an unprecedented surge in cancer rates, driven by an aging population and delays in cancer screening and diagnoses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this level of corporate investment and partnership is needed more than ever,” said Dr. Miyo Yamashita, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
Marrone agreed, “It is crucial that we work together to tackle the challenges that our communities face. Yamana’s long-standing support for The Princess Margaret reflects how vitally important the fight against cancer is, and with cancer rates rising, our latest commitment comes at a critical time.”
To be annually awarded, the Yamana Gold Discovery to Impact Grant is part of a new program that provides seed funding for high-risk, high-reward fundamental or translational research projects that have the greatest potential to help cancer patients.
The Princess Margaret proudly announces Drs. Rama Khokha and Thomas Kislinger, Senior Scientists, and Dr. Hal Berman, Clinician Investigator, as recipients of the inaugural Yamana Gold Discovery to Impact Grant, supporting their research that explores the potential to prevent breast cancer in high-risk patients by targeting fatty acid metabolism.
Expressing her gratitude, Dr. Khokha shared, “Philanthropic support drives innovation, allowing us to explore ideas deemed too risky despite their revolutionary potential. Yamana Gold’s generosity tremendously accelerates our ability to pursue promising prevention targets, providing hope for patients and families that one day we will stop breast cancer before it starts.”
Yamana Gold’s gift also focuses on empowering emerging scientists with wonderful opportunities through the Yamana Gold Cancer Research Fellowship. Providing the thought-leaders of tomorrow the opportunity to train with and learn from internationally renowned scientists at The Princess Margaret, the post-doctoral fellowships will create a ripple effect for cancer patients around the world as the fellows continue their careers as part of The Princess Margaret network.
“Through our continued work with The Princess Margaret, the Yamana Gold Research Acceleration Fund will support cutting-edge research and training for the scientists of tomorrow, delivering a real impact for decades to come,” said Marrone.
This new commitment builds on Yamana Gold’s longstanding support and corporate leadership with The Princess Margaret, including funding research through the Gold Industry Fund in 2014, supporting the Cancer Centre’s Space Transformation Campaign by naming the Yamana Gold Accessibility Entrance and most recently, signing on as the Gold Helmet Sponsor for one of The Foundation's signature events, the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.
Dr. Yamashita emphasized, “The Foundation is grateful for Yamana Gold’s continued partnership and most recent meaningful investment, which will create countless stories of hope for cancer patients and their loved ones, close to home, across Canada and around the world.”
With the support of the Yamana Gold Research Acceleration Fund, the possibilities for breakthroughs in cancer discovery at The Princess Margaret are endless.
On behalf of everyone at The Princess Margaret, The Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to Yamana Gold Inc. for the company’s most recent investment and commitment to advancing cancer research, patient care and education.
Published April 27, 2022