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The Terry Fox Research Institute

Expanding our research portfolio

Since its inception, the TFRI has invested in groundbreaking scientific projects that accelerate discoveries for the benefit of cancer patients. Today, this investment expands beyond our flagship basic science and translational research programs. With support from partners across the country, including the Government of Canada, we now lead two innovative projects that embody Terry Fox's spirit and unite our country to improve the lives of cancer patients through precision medicine: the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network and the Digital Health and Discovery Platform.

Learn more about our Mission and Vision.

Digital Health and Discovery Platform (DHDP) Logo

Digital Health and Discovery Platform (DHDP)

The DHDP is a pan-Canadian initiative co-led by the TFRI and supported by the Government of Canada. The DHDP provides the cutting-edge technological and policy infrastructure needed to share and analyze large amounts of health data generated through the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, allowing us to improve health outcomes for Canadians through the advancement of precision medicine for cancer and other diseases.

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Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network Logo

Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network

The MOHCCN is an unprecedented collaboration led by the TFRI and supported by the Government of Canada that unites the country’s top cancer hospitals and research centres to create the Team Canada of Cancer Research. Just like Terry’s Marathon of Hope united Canadians under a single vision, the Network unites our cancer research community, empowering them to work together to make precision medicine for cancer a reality for all Canadians.

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Newly funded research projects

Preventing chemotherapy resistance by killing senescent cells

In the boxing ring, it’s common to see fighters throw multiple punches in sequence. This is called a combination, and it is often more effective than a single blow. Take the one-two combo, for example. When used successfully, it consists of a jab intended to open the opponent’s defenses, followed by a powerful cross to capitalize on the opponent’s vulnerability.  To treat...

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The spatial metabolome hubble project to decipher tumour-driven immunosuppression (MetaboHUB)

What do a telescope capturing detailed pictures of space and a newly funded team of cancer researchers leading an innovative project on metabolites and our immune system have in common?   Both are using high-end, state-of-the-art visual imaging technologies to capture pictures that will give them clues to the origin of things: in the first instance the origin of the universe; in the o...

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Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) of the lung, prostate and pancreas

Sunnybrook Research Institute scientist Dr. Hon Leong says celebrities like Steve Jobs and Aretha Franklin, both diagnosed with rare neuroendocrine tumours, would have been among those to benefit from work he and his incredible team of experts are expanding upon with new funding awarded through a 2023 Terry Fox New Frontiers Program Project Grant. “We have developed a truly world-class resea...

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The environment and lung cancer

In 2022, an estimated 30,000 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in Canada, making it the most diagnosed cancer in the country. It was also responsible for one in four cancer-related deaths, making it the deadliest cancer in the country.   In the past, smoking has been the leading cause of lung cancer, but that may soon change. In fact, even though lung cancer rates in Canada are g...

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Advanced virtual surgical planning and intraoperative tools for enhancing patient‐specific surgical care for oral cancers

Approximately 5,000 Canadians are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Many of these patients undergo aggressive surgeries to remove their tumours, which can result in significant impacts on their quality of life through the removal of sections of the jaw and surrounding soft tissue. Addressing these impacts requires an advanced surgery known as jawbone (or mandibular) reconstruction. To conduct ...

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  • Funding Programs

    The Terry Fox Research Institute functions as the research arm of The Terry Fox Foundation. In this capacity, the Institute invests and manages approximately $27 million in combined funding for discovery and translational research and training for future scientists and clinicians in cancer research.

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  • Our Research

    We know more about cancer today thanks to the biological, molecular and genomic discoveries, new technologies, tests and treatments made possible with research funding from The Terry Fox Foundation and through the translational work undertaken by TFRI. As a result, we have better ways to detect, diagnose and treat cancer today. This is helping cancer patients to live, to live longer and with a better quality of life.

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  • Terry Fox and the Terry Fox Foundation

    Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, a community near Vancouver on Canada's west coast. An active teenager involved in many sports, Terry was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) and forced to have his right leg amputated 15 centimetres (six inches) above the knee in 1977.

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  • Digital Health and Discovery Platform

    The Digital Health and Discovery Platform (DHDP) is a pan-Canadian initiative that seeks to improve health outcomes for Canadians by deploying cutting-edge technologies that advance precision medicine.

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  • Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres

    The Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network is a bold vision led by The Terry Fox Research Institute and The Terry Fox Foundation with support from dozens of research and funding partners across Canada.

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Updates

Updates

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    2021-22 Facts

    • 26.6 Million Dollars for Cancer Research and Training
      Million Dollars for Cancer Research and Training
    • 47 currently funded projects for team science and research
      Funded Projects for team science and research
    • 98 Partners in Funding and Research
      Partners in Funding and Research