Vancouver, BC - The Terry Fox Foundation (TFF) is pleased to announce that commencing immediately the Canada-wide Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI) will oversee the complete portfolio of research programs funded by The Terry Fox Foundation.

The Terry Fox Foundation invests approximately $18 million per year in discovery research focused on biomedical science, (studies in the biochemistry, genetics, immunology and molecular biology of cancer), chemical science (studies in carcinogenesis, drug development and drug delivery) and physical science (studies in imaging, radiobiology and photobiology). The research programs were previously administered by the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC), which ceased to exist in January 2009.*

The TFF has also committed to invest $50 million in the TFRI, launched in October 2007, for translational cancer research. The TFRI has leveraged that investment with an additional $65 million from the following partners: Province of British Columbia ($30 million); Alberta Health Services (formerly Alberta Cancer Board ($10 million); Ontario Institute for Cancer Research ($15 million); and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer ($10 million).

The Foundation, in its 22nd year of operation, raises funds for cancer research through annual community and school runs across the country. It has raised over $400 million for cancer research.

"The Foundation's Board of Directors believes there are numerous advantages in having the TFRI manage the Foundation's research portfolio. First and foremost, the Foundation can continue to focus its efforts on raising funds for cancer research," says Brett Kohli, National Director of the Terry Fox Foundation. "Importantly, TFRI brings with it some of the best scientific and research expertise and experience in the country. We are confident this decision will ensure the continued excellence and integrity of our programs and projects, and lead to new and promising research initiatives that will advance cancer research not only in Canada but around the world."

"We are very pleased to have received the confidence and support of the Foundation and its Board to manage this important research portfolio," says TFRI President and Scientific Director Dr. Victor Ling. "We believe this consolidation of TFF programs with the translational programs of the TFRI will bring stronger linkages and more coherence within and among the TFF-funded community of research which, in turn, will mean better cancer research outcomes for patients."

The Foundation and Institute envision new collaborative approaches to build excellence and training capacity in cancer research, such as has already been illustrated recently by TFF's partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). CIHR is administering the Terry Fox New Frontier Program Project Grants at CIHR and the Foundation has invested in four Terry Fox Strategic Training Initiatives in Cancer Research at CIHR. TFRI is now entering into discussions with new and existing partners for additional new investigator and training programs which will be launched during 2010.

To be advised of these new competitions as soon as they are announced please provide your name, affiliation and email address and specific interest (graduate, postdoctoral, clinical, or new investigator awards) to mailinglist@tfri.ca.

About TFF

The Terry Fox Foundation maintains the vision and principles of Terry Fox while raising money for cancer research through the annual Terry Fox Run, Terry Fox Works initiatives, National School Run Day, as well as via memoriam donations and planned gifts. To date, over $400 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry Fox's name. The first Terry Fox Run was held in 1981, with the Foundation being created in 1988. Its national headquarters are located in Chilliwack,BC and it has offices in 9 provinces. www.terryfox.org

About TFRI

Launched in October 2007, The Terry Fox Research Institute is the brainchild of the Terry Fox Foundation. The institute seeks to improve significantly the outcomes of cancer research for the patient through a highly collaborative, team-oriented, milestone-based approach to research that will enable discoveries to translate quickly into practical solutions for cancer patients worldwide. TFRI collaborates with over 40 cancer hospitals and research organizations across Canada. TFRI's headquarters are in Vancouver, BC. www.tfri.ca

*See the Foundation's Community Research Advisory dated July 24, 2009 at https://www.terryfox.org/Research/Research_Community_Advisory.html

For questions related to the research programs, please contact:
Stephen Herst
Chief Operating Officer, TFRI
604-675-8103

For more information, please contact:
Kelly Curwin
Chief Communications Officer
Terry Fox Research Institute
604-675-8223