About

Brain Cancer Canada is a national charity that supports people diagnosed with malignant brain tumours by funding research, technology and treatment.

There are over 120 different types of brain tumours, approximately one-third of them are cancerous. Brain cancers – like glioblastoma, which ended the life of Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip – are among the most fatal and insidious diseases we know. Most adults diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) survive on average 15 to 18 months after their diagnosis. Despite decades of research, malignant brain tumours are some of the deadliest forms of cancer, and remain the biggest cancer killer of adults under 40.

Brain cancer research is drastically underfunded. Despite its incredibly low survival rate, it receives less than 3% of the total funding for cancer research. With generous support from donors like you, Brain Cancer Canada is helping bridge the gap between ground-breaking research and life-saving treatments.

Brain Cancer Canada is a volunteer organization. No member receives compensation and there are no salaried employees. All net proceeds of our fundraising go directly towards research and technology. We are fully and proactively transparent about our incoming and outgoing finances, the research and technology supported, the impact they generate. Our team of board of directors, committee members, ambassadors and volunteers is comprised of highly qualified professionals with diverse skills-sets ranging from risk management, public relations, marketing, law, management, sales, and engineering.

Commitment

Increase funding for research and treatments of malignant brain tumours

Raise the profile of brain cancer across Canada

Serve as a voice for brain cancer patients and their families

Donor Impact

Brain Cancer Canada is inventing the future of brain cancer research, neurosurgical care and promising new treatments.

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The entire neurosurgical team is grateful to Brain Cancer Canada for providing this state-of-the-art cranial robotic operating platform. It will have an immediate and meaningful impact on providing world-class care for all Canadians who require access to this leading technology for brain tumour surgery.

Dr. Michael Cusimano, Neurosurgeon and Scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital

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Generous support from the Brain Cancer Canada is enabling research with the power to transform care for patients with brain cancer and their loved ones. Your commitment makes a statement: you understand the urgency of innovative new approaches for patients and families who can’t afford to wait. On behalf of all those who stand to benefit from better treatments for brain cancer, thank you. Your support is inventing the future of health care.

Sunnybrook, Health Sciences Centre

Why Support?

There are more than 120 different types of brain tumours - approximately 30% of them are malignant.

All brain tumours can have life-altering physical, cognitive, and psychological impact on a patient’s life, however, unlike benign brain tumours, malignant tumours contain cancer cells and are considered to be life threatening because they grow quickly and invade surrounding tissue. Brain Cancer Canada needs your support to fund research, technology and treatment of malignant brain tumours. Here are some reasons why:

Reason One

Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of adults under 40.

Reason Two

The average survival for the most aggressive malignant brain tumour is 15-18 months.

Reason Three

Brain cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer. They remain incurable despite decades of laboratory and clinical investigation.

Reason Four

The last brain cancer breakthrough was in 2005 with the introduction of the chemotherapy drug temozolomide. Cancerous tumours are complex and treatment resistant. Most drugs, including many chemotherapies, cannot enter the brain to target tumours due to a protective barrier known as the “blood-brain barrier” (BBB). This means researchers and doctors are still searching to find effective treatments.

Reason Five

Cancerous brain tumours can rarely be completely removed during surgery due to impact on other parts of the brain and microscopic cancer cells left behind. In some cases, it may be necessary to give up some function in order to obtain a complete resection.

Research Grants

Invitation to apply for research grants.

Brain Cancer Canada (BCC) initiates this Request for Proposal (RFP) to invite researchers and institutions to apply for research funding. The purpose of this funding is to enable research in Pediatric and Adult Primary Malignant Brain Tumours. Submit applications per guidelines and eligibility criteria by December 4th, 2023 (5:00 pm EST) to: cure@braincancercanada.ca. Download RFP Package here.