Canadian Cancer Society gifted $4M for research into rare and deadly form of brain cancer

Lukas Lundin’s sons Harry, Jack, Adam, and William founded the Lundin Cancer Fund after their father passed away in 2022, two years after being diagnosed with glioblastoma.

A $4-million donation to the Canadian Cancer Society by the Lundin Cancer Fund will kickstart a five-year research program into a rare and highly aggressive form of brain cancer, marking the largest contribution to the cause in Canada.

The Glioblastoma Research Program will aim to develop new treatments and better understand one of the deadliest forms of cancer.

“To have a large impact, we need a large investment, and this is a wonderful donation that really sparks a novel partnership between the two organizations to address this devastating disease,” said Dr. Stuart Edmonds, an executive vice-president at the CCS.

“This opportunity allows us to really focus on this very aggressive form of brain cancer, and change those numbers and try to improve outcomes and survival rates for those that are diagnosed.”

On average, most people who have been diagnosed with glioblastoma are not expected to survive past the first year. The five-year survival rate for people facing brain cancer is 22 per cent, while, for those facing glioblastoma, it is just 4.9 per cent.

Given the small-scale patient population, it has been challenging to conduct clinical trials and research into the life-altering disease has been minimal thus far, says Edmonds. The large donation gifted by the Lundin fund offers researchers an opportunity to “leapfrog” in terms of what discoveries and development can be made, he says.

“The idea is that we intend to bring together our experts from around the country to develop a national plan for research into glioblastoma,” he said.

Together, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Lundin Cancer Fund are also aiming to raise an additional $4 million, raising the total funds for the Glioblastoma Research Program to $8 million.

Two Vancouver galas, the Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Ball and the Lundin Cancer Fund Gala, will join forces this year to fundraise for the project and celebrate the memory of Lukas Lundin, a notable Canadian leader in the mining industry who passed away in 2022, two years after being diagnosed with the disease.

In the spring, the two organizations will bring brain cancer researchers together for their first joint summit, which will identify key areas for innovation and advancement as the research program kicks off.

“We can build this program together with the Lundin family, with the research and clinical community, with people with lived experience, and we can really drive that program forward to ensure that it has the outcomes that we want,” said Edmonds.