Princess Margaret Cancer Centre’s (PM) Dr. Abdulazeez Salawu has been named a recipient of the new Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network Patient Voices in Research Initiative (MOHCCN), a first-of-its-kind funding opportunity in Canada, designed to address disparities in cancer research.
The MOHCCN program was developed collaboratively by cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers from across the country. They selected the research themes, reviewed applications, and worked with a scientific council to evaluate and award funding.
The initiative aims to address current gaps in precision oncology, including unequal access to treatments and clinical trials. It will also fund projects exploring lifestyle interventions to improve patient survival and quality of life, as well as research into the psychological impact of prolonged survival with aggressive cancers.
As a Clinician Investigator and Staff Oncologist at PM, Dr. Salawu leads a research team that unites collaborators in Toronto and Montreal to address disparities in access to cancer research initiatives. His project, titled ‘Patient-focused evaluation of disparities among participants enrolled in precision oncology studies’ was awarded funding of $151,500.
“Our project aims to examine who participates in cancer research and identify barriers faced by underrepresented groups, such as language, finances, or lack of information,” says Dr. Salawu. “Ultimately, we want to identify any existing gaps, and develop ways to make cancer research more inclusive, benefiting all patients.”
Congratulations to all recipients!
To read more about this funding initiative, click here.