Two Schulich researchers to share $885,000 in new funding from the Canadian Cancer Society

This money will fund innovative research projects that are using new technology to understand how cancer cells spread through the body and why cancer cells continue to divide in an uncontrolled way that other cells do not.

"Right here in London ground-breaking cancer research is happening," says Angie Woodcock, Manager, Elgin Middlesex Unit, Canadian Cancer Society.

"Both of these outstanding researchers are based at The University of Western Ontario, where we hold our annual Relay For Life event, one of the most significant ways our community raises money for research. So it is very exciting to see those dollars supporting the work of London researchers."

The London Relay For Life will be held this year on June 20.

• Dr. Paula Foster will receive $252,804 over three years to study how cancer cells metastasize through the body's lymphatic system. Although lymph nodes can be surgically inspected to see if a cancer has spread, little is known about how cancer cells travel through these organs. Dr. Foster's group will use high-tech imaging (MRI) and nanotechnology to study this process.
• Dr. David Litchfield will receive $635,745 over 5 years to study how cancer cells communicate, prompting them to continue growing in the absence of normal cellular cues. Dr. Litchfield's work may help find new targets for anti-cancer drugs.

These grants to London researchers were selected through a rigorous national review process that awarded 76 new grants to researchers across the country announced by the Canadian Cancer Society today. This total includes seven new lung cancer research grants sponsored by the Ontario Division of the Canadian Cancer Society. In total, the Canadian Cancer Society is investing more than $36.2 million nationally in new cancer research this year.

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer.