Now called The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research at Princess Margaret Hospital, the Institute has 12 principal investigators and 150 staff who are focused on finding the cure by leveraging basic, translational and clinical research into dramatic cancer breakthroughs.

The Institute is headed by Dr. Tak Mak, a leading scientist renowned for a landmark scientific paper on the cloning of T-cell receptor genes, a key component of the human immune system.

The funds were donated by Audrey Campbell, daughter of the late Roy Thomson, and her three daughters.

Drive in high gear to $125 million The Drive to $125 Million is a fundraising initiative to build a five-year operating budget for The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research at Princess Margaret Hospital. At year end, about $85 million in funding commitments were in place, including $5 million each year since 2003 from walkers who participate in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer event. Private donors, corporations, granting agencies and other sources will be approached to raise the remaining funds.

Dr. Kazuo Yamamoto, a micro-biologist, prepares DNA samples for testing at the Institute lab.

“This weekend changed my fear about my health to a much more positive hope … I now know that I am part of a much bigger community and I am not alone.” – Breast cancer walker

At the second annual Weekend to End Breast Cancer (WEBC) event in Toronto last September, 4,565 participants raised net proceeds of $10.9 million for breast cancer research, treatment and care.

The momentum of this two-day, 60-km walking event is truly amazing and several major initiatives under way at the hospital are happening because of it. WEBC grants include $10 million to The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research at Princess Margaret Hospital. As well, event monies have enabled the hospital to establish Canada's first comprehensive survivorship clinic and program. Also in place is a broader range of clinical services and enhancements, such as improved breast screening and rapid diagnosis, and the M. Lau Breast Centre is being renovated to integrate all functions and programs so they run smoothly and effectively.

Find out more about the Weekend to End Breast Cancer at www.endcancer.ca.

Dr. Pamela Catton, Medical Director, Breast Cancer Survivorship Program, receiving a $40,000 donation from Carol Miller, Founder and Executive Director of The Quilt, a fundraising project in support of breast cancer.

The Breast Cancer Survivorship Program is a new part of Princess Margaret Hospital's commitment to provide excellent care for patients and their families. Survivors can come to the program to find support, meet one another, share valuable life stories and treatment experiences, and gain information that will help them throughout their cancer journey.

The program, which is supported by The Butterfield/Drew chair in Breast Cancer Survivorship and proceeds from The Weekend to End Breast Cancer and The Quilt fundraising events, has three main goals:

• to facilitate opportunities for breast cancer survivors to share with one another through peer support
• to assist survivors with their own plans for support and empowerment through their journey with cancer
• to improve quality of life as survivors move beyond active treatment and integrate back into the community