Media advisory - International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day: Clinical research does more than save lives

MONTREAL, Feb. 12, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - February 15 marks International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day. Leucan and the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation wish to use this occasion to underline the importance of clinical research for families with a child diagnosed with cancer.

Nearly 300 new and recurring cases of childhood cancer are reported each year in Quebec. For this reason, clinical research must continue in its primary goal of increasing survival rates among children with cancer. Results are continually improving. In Canada, the five-year survival rate following diagnosis has now reached 82% for all childhood cancers combined.¹

However, research funded by Leucan does more than save lives; it also provides access to the best treatment protocols available.

To learn more about the importance of clinical research, including how it helps to improve the lives of families facing cancer, do not hesitate to contact us.

WHAT:		International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day
WHEN:		Saturday, February 15, 2014
WHO:		Interview opportunities with: Dr. David Mitchell, Director of the Department of Hematology-Oncology at the Montreal Children's Hospital Edouard Cordeiro and Isela Nochez Lopez, parents of 5-year-old Anthony, diagnosed in 2012 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

About Leucan

For more than 35 years, Leucan has been supporting cancer-stricken children and their families. As a loyal ally of hundreds of families and thousands of members across Quebec, the Association provides specific and personalized services to its members, in addition to funding clinical research. Leucan's skilled staff developed a cutting edge expertise in the following areas: support and emotional assistance; financial assistance; referral services; massage therapy; hosting in hospital playrooms; socio-recreational activities; school awareness; end-of-life and bereavement follow-up services; support to cured patients; and the Leucan Information Centre. In addition to a head office in Montreal, Leucan operates eight regional offices

ABOUT THE MONTREAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
The Montreal Children's Hospital is the pediatric teaching hospital of McGill University's Faculty of Medicine. The Children's is a leader in providing a broad spectrum of highly specialized care to newborns, children, and adolescents from all across Quebec. The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation supports the Hospital in its mandate and is completing The Best Care for Children Campaign to support the construction of the new Montreal Children's Hospital on the Glen site, scheduled to open its doors to patients in 2015. For more information, please visit childrenfoundation.com

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¹ Canadian Cancer Statistics 2009, Canadian Cancer Society.

 

SOURCE: The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation

To set up an interview, please contact:

Anaïs Larose Bastien
Communications and Marketing Advisor| Leucan
514 731-3696, ext. 208
[email protected] 

Luke Quin
Assistant Director of Communications
Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation
[phone], 29238
[email protected]