London, Ont. - Today, the Breast Cancer Society of Canada announced a $5 million donation to London Health Sciences Foundation supporting research in the Pamela Greenaway-Kohlmeier Translational Breast Cancer Research Unit at London Health Sciences Centre's London Regional Cancer Program.

This donation is the lead gift to cancer-related priorities in LHSF's $200 million fundraising campaign. The campaign surpassed the halfway mark earlier this year.

"The gift announced today is simply outstanding," says LHSF President John MacFarlane. "The Breast Cancer Society of Canada's continued support of our Foundation and researchers at our Hospital realizes an opportunity for like-minded, charitable organizations to collaborate in enhancing and advancing health care."

The partnership between the BCSC and LHSF has flourished since it began in 1998.

"This gift represents the largest funding commitment ever made in our 23-year history," says, BCSC Executive Director Marsha Davidson. "We are proud to fund our partners at London Health Sciences Centre and the Translational Breast Cancer Research Unit - more than $10 million cumulatively - to continue the TBCRU's world-renowned, life-saving research."

The Breast Cancer Society of Canada funded the creation of the TBCRU at LHSC in 1998. This new commitment announced today will continue to support collaborative research teams in the unit, giving them the autonomy to determine the most effective use of funds, enabling them to drive research and results forward to benefit the patients of today and tomorrow.

"I thank the Breast Cancer Society of Canada for sharing our vision and helping us to create programs in London that are focused on improving diagnosis and care of breast cancer patients," says TBCRU Director Dr. Ann Chambers. "We are grateful for this remarkable, ongoing support."

Patient-focused, translational research works to enhance and advance cancer treatment now by taking observations and questions from the bedside to the lab bench for research, and adapting (translating) discoveries in the lab into enhanced or new treatments at the patient's bedside.

"Our relationship with the TBCRU is our longest and strongest in Canada. Dr. Chambers and her team work diligently, compassionately and tirelessly alongside patients," says Davidson. "We are confident that the TBCRU's research is making an impact for existing and future breast cancer patients; they are helping us save lives."

Funding from BCSC also helps train the next generation of breast cancer researchers by providing support to students being mentored in the TBCRU.

"I'd like to express our Hospital's heartfelt thanks to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada," says LHSC President & CEO Murray Glendining. "As partners in the community, they are part of the collaborative effort that makes health care better- by enabling innovative care and research at London Health Sciences Centre."