OTTAWA, September 24, 2026 — The Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI) and Terry Fox Foundation (TFF) welcome a new $80-million investment from the Government of Canada that will help expand access to precision oncology and accelerate cancer research across the country.
Announced today by the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, the investment will provide $80 million over four years to TFRI to implement the next phase of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network (MOHCCN). The federal investment must be matched with an additional $80 million through TFF and participating institutions, unlocking a total potential investment to $160 million for precision oncology research across Canada.
Led by TFRI in partnership with TFF, the Network brings together cancer centres, researchers, clinicians, patients and other partners from across Canada around a shared goal: using precision oncology to improve outcomes for people with cancer, no matter who they are or where they live. Precision medicine involves using the genetic make-up of each patient’s cancer as well as their individual characteristics to personalize cancer treatments, allowing doctors to provide the right treatment at the right time for each patient.
“Canada has been at the forefront of the fight against cancer for decades. This collaboration between Canadian cancer centres in research and treatment, led by the Terry Fox Research Institute, is promising and inspiring. Hard work is paying off, and we need to keep putting our resources into fighting this disease,” said the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health.
Building on a national foundation
The new investment builds on the first phase of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, which established an unprecedented national collaboration.
Since its inception, the Network has brought together nearly 60 member institutions and over 100 research and funding partners across the country to create a national strategy to accelerate precision oncology research and care across the country. This led to the creation of a national resource containing genomic and clinical data from more than 16,000 cancer patients, giving researchers a powerful tool to better understand why cancers develop, why some patients respond to treatment while others do not, and how treatments can be made more precise and effective.
Due to rapid progress during its first phase, over 1,500 patients were able to receive treatments guided by Network-funded genomic sequencing.
“We are deeply grateful to the Government of Canada and fellow Canadians for continuing to trust and invest in Terry Fox’s bold vision,” said Dr. Jim Woodgett, President and Scientific Director of the Terry Fox Research Institute. “This new funding builds upon our national strategy to accelerate discoveries and deliver personalized cancer care to more patients across the country—no matter who they are or where they live.”
Over the next four years, the Network will continue to strengthen the systems needed to generate, analyze, and return genomic results to inform care, bringing precision oncology to at least 11,000 new patients, whose data will also be part of the Network’s resource. It will also bring new cancer institutions into the Network, including institutions in Canada’s territories, while expanding efforts to identify inherited cancer risk and offer genetic testing to family members when appropriate.
“The Network’s first phase demonstrated Canada’s ability to connect institutions, expertise, and patient data around a shared research ambition,” said Dr. André Veillette, Executive Director of the MOHCCN. “The next phase is about implementing the transformative advances of precision oncology across our healthcare systems and putting this foundation to work for more patients.”
Continuing Terry’s Marathon of Hope
Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research. For the Terry Fox Foundation, this investment represents another important step in carrying forward the vision Terry shared with Canadians more than 46 years ago.
“Terry believed deeply in the power of research to create a future where fewer families have to face the fear and uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis,” said Michael Mazza, Chief Executive Officer of the Terry Fox Foundation. “The federal government’s $80-million commitment opens the door for individuals, foundations and partners to help double this investment to $160 million for cancer research. Together, we can show the power of philanthropy to accelerate discovery and drive progress against cancer for the benefit of all Canadians. The Network is built, technology is advancing, and the opportunity for breakthroughs is tremendous. People facing cancer need us to make the most of this moment.”
The Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network was inspired by Terry’s belief that defeating cancer would require Canadians to work together toward a common goal. That spirit of collaboration has remained central to the Network since its creation.
“This renewed investment in the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network is a powerful affirmation of what has been built: researchers, clinicians, patients, and institutions across Canada working together toward a shared goal,” said Jessie Alder, Terry’s niece, on behalf of the Fox family. “Terry said the Marathon of Hope must continue without him. He would be incredibly proud to see Canadians continuing his marathon in this collaborative and determined way, and to see the progress being made toward better outcomes for people with cancer.”
Here’s what other members of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network said about the announcement:
“With the launch of Phase 2, a key milestone has been achieved. For the first time in Canada, we can build a national precision cancer genomic medicine program using comprehensive molecular characterization to guide individualized treatment strategies. Through national collaboration, we will be able to better align patients with therapies that best target their cancer and find family members at increased risk, improving outcomes for Canadian cancer patients no matter where they reside for decades to come.” – Drs. Marco Marra and Dan Renouf, Leads, BC Cancer Consortium
"This new phase represents an exciting step forward in our focus on precision oncology. It will build on the progress of Phase 1 and continue to accelerate our efforts to bring precision oncology to more patients across Canada. By continuing this work and bringing Canada’s leading minds in cancer research and care together, we are moving closer to a future where a deeper understanding of each person’s cancer can guide more precise, personalized approaches to care. Together, this work is helping shape the future of cancer research and care, with the potential to make a meaningful difference for patients and their families. We are so thrilled and inspired to be able to contribute to this progress." – Dr. Jennifer Chan, lead, Prairie Cancer Consortium
“We are incredibly excited about Phase 2 of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network and the opportunity to expand the impact of precision oncology across Ontario. Through broader participation, improved genomic profiling, stronger patient engagement, and closer integration with clinical trials, we can bring more personalized cancer care to more people, including underserved communities. Phase 2 will help ensure that innovative discoveries translate more quickly into meaningful benefits for patients and families." – Drs. Lillian Siu and Enrique Sanz-Garcia, co-leads, Ontario Cancer Consortium
“We are proud of the Network’s achievements and its transformative role in advancing personalized health for Quebec cancer patients. By bringing together research and patient communities, the Network has fostered collaboration that supports scientific discovery and eventual translation to patient care. We are delighted to see the next generation of investigators assume leadership [of our Consortium] in Phase 2 and are confident the program will continue to grow through their enthusiasm, vision, and commitment,” – Profs. Anne-Marie Mes-Masson and Morag Park, co-leads, Marathon of Hope – Quebec Consortium
“The Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network has transformed the landscape of cancer research in Atlantic Canada, bringing together scientists, clinicians, patients and partners to advance cancer research in ways we could not accomplish individually. In Phase 2, we will bring leading-edge precision oncology to patients across the region, including rural communities, with the potential to inform their care, expand options for those with limited treatment choices and improve outcomes for cancer patients and their families.” - Drs. Tony Reiman, Robin Urquhart and Sherri Christian, co-leads, Atlantic Cancer Consortium