TORONTO, October 29, 2007 -- The Terry Fox Foundation today officially launched the Canada-wide Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI), an exciting new initiative which will translate today's best science into tomorrow's cancer treatments. The announcement was made by Darrell Fox, National Director, The Terry Fox Foundation.

The Institute offers an exciting new model for cancer research, a virtual institute to overcome geographical and professional boundaries. It brings together clinical and scientific researchers from across the country, with nodes in several provinces.

Currently there are nodes in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. The Terry Fox Foundation has committed a minimum of $50 million to fund the Institute over five years, from donations collected at the 25th anniversary of Terry's 'Marathon of Hope' and from funds realized or anticipated since 2005.

The TFRI will support cancer research projects with the potential to improve the health of cancer patients as quickly as possible. The TFRI's projects will bring researchers together in teams to work on prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer.

Darrell Fox said, "Terry Fox had a way of giving Canadians a new fresh way to look at their country, the geography, the distances and the differences of people. He effectively transformed the distances between people by inviting them to focus on what could bring us together rather than divide us. Terry was able to close a gap and unite a nation around a common cause. In that same spirit, The Terry Fox Foundation is pleased to launch the Institute which will bring together a national team dedicated to finding cancer cures."

"This level of co-operation and collaboration is unprecedented," says Dr. Victor Ling, Scientific Director of TFRI. "Our vision at the Terry Fox Research Institute is to improve significantly the outcomes for the patient by having teams of academic and clinical researchers work in concert with one another sharing insights, knowledge and discoveries. The TFRI links hospitals, cancer organizations and universities provincially and nationally. The focus is to improve patient care by quickly moving the discoveries from the bench to clinical application."

TFRI has solicited project ideas from researchers at its virtual nodes and is currently conducting reviews by an international team of cancer experts. The TFRI expects to announce its first funded projects within the next three months.

"Congratulations to the Terry Fox Foundation for creating a research institute that shares a common goal with our government," said Minister Clement. "I'm proud to say that we share a common interest which aims to reduce the number of new cases of cancer and to lessen the likelihood of Canadians dying from cancer."

"The fight against cancer is a top priority of federal and provincial governments and has been identified as one of the four research priorities of the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ)" said Dr. Alain Beaudet, president and CEO of the FRSQ and co-chair of the National Alliance for Provincial Research Organizations. "The Terry Fox Research Institute initiative is unique in bridging disciplinary fields and regional silos. By bringing together the best talent in the country, it will go a long way in improving our understanding and treatment of this devastating condition."

"We're proud to support the launch of the Terry Fox Research Institute with matching funding of $15 million over five years through the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research," said Ontario Premier and Minister of Research and Innovation, Dalton McGuinty. "The partnership will help move discoveries made in Ontario from lab to clinic sooner, which means a better quality of life, new opportunities and new hope for people living with cancer."

"The Alberta Cancer Research Institute is most enthusiastic to participate in the Terry Fox Research Initiative," says Dr. Cyril Kay, Vice-President Research of the Alberta Cancer Board and executive lead, Alberta Cancer Research Institute. "It is a wonderful opportunity in the translational research area and fits with our goal of substantially reducing the mortality and incident of cancer and as well as improving the quality of life for those suffering from cancer. The Alberta Cancer Research Institute will be most supportive of this program."

"The new Terry Fox Research Institute will bring together researchers, scientists and institutions across Canada to work to assure that their discoveries are brought to the bedside and into patients lives as soon as possible and that we all share in discoveries of new techniques and practises that will make people's lives even better," said Premier Gordon Campbell of British Columbia. "Today is a day in which we recognize Terry's strength but also the strength and commitment of his family. To all of them I say thanks for your leadership and your commitment. As an international centre of cancer research we look forward to keeping the dream alive. Hope endures as does Terry's spirit. Together we will reach the finish line."

The Terry Fox Foundation is the second largest non-governmental funder of cancer research in Canada. To date, a total of $400 million (CDN) has been raised by the Foundation. With only three cents of every dollar raised going towards administration, and only 10 cents in fundraising costs, The Terry Fox Foundation is an industry leader in fundraising accountability. This can be attributed to a small staff. Only 32 full-time employees span the entire country, coordinating local and international events. Dedicated and committed volunteers form the backbone of the organization and are the primary reason why the Foundation is able to break fundraising records year-after-year.

For further information please contact:

Terry Fox Research Institute
Dr. Victor Ling
Scientific Director.
Telephone 604-675-8109

Terry Fox Foundation
Peter Sheremeta
The Terry Fox Foundation National School Run Organizer
Telephone 514-499-9747

Terry Fox Research Institute Quebec Node
Charles Pitts
Oromedia Inc.
Telephone 514-697-9111

Terry Fox Research Institute Ontario Node
Rhea Cohen
Director of Communications
Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
Telephone 416-673-6642

Terry Fox Research Institute Alberta Node
Lee Elliott
Director of Communications
Alberta Cancer Board
Telephone 780-743-4423

Terry Fox Research Institute British Columbia Node
Nicole Adams
Director of Communications
BC Cancer Agency
Telephone 604-675-8105