Ensuring ongoing access to impactful clinical trials for Canadians Wednesday, April 06, 2022 The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) has renewed its support of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) with a five-year 30-million-dollar commitment to the national research network. The grant renewal represents a continuation of CCS’s largest research investment, which began in 1980 when they helped create the Canadian academic research group. "CCS is proud to continue to provide core funding for CCTG, and we’re incredibly grateful to our donors who make this support possible," says Dr. Stuart Edmonds, Executive Vice President of Mission, Research & Advocacy at CCS. "With an international reputation for running Canada’s most impactful cancer clinical trials, CCTG’s work benefits not just people with cancer in Canada but around the world." The grant renewal involves a rigorous review process that includes a comprehensive grant submission and site visit with external reviewers looking at all aspects of the Group’s work and impact on clinical trials research. The grant will support CCTG strategic objectives, and the development and conduct of trials. “The successful CCS grant renewal is a recognition of the exceptional caliber of our national scientific leaders, international research activities and the impact our trials have on new treatments for people with cancer,” says Dr. Janet Dancey, CCTG Director. “The funding will ensure that Canadian led trials find answers to what is most important to Canadian patients and clinicians.” Improving cancer outcomes in partnership with patients is an important part of CCTG research initiatives. The CCTG’s Patient Representative Committee ensures patients’ needs and priorities are considered in all trial designs and activities. “Access to clinical trials mean life. My family, friends and I are so thankful for the clinical trial I participated in, which kept me alive long enough for more life-extending treatments to be developed and become accessible. As a stage four lung cancer patient that trial has given me seven more years (and counting) to be Mom to my three children,” says Jill Hamer-Wilson, lung cancer patient advocate and CCTG Patient Representative.
