Movember Funds at Work: $1.8 Million in New Awards Support Rising Stars in Prostate Cancer Research

TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2013 /CNW/ - Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC) is proud to announce the recipients of the Rising Star in Prostate Cancer Research program. In its inaugural year, the Movember-funded Rising Star program provides funding to four outstanding scientists to support careers as independent investigators researching prostate cancer. The program allows for research scientists in the first five years of their first academic or research appointment to work under the guidance of an experienced mentor, providing intensive career development in prostate cancer research. Each recipient receives a grant of $150,000 a year for salary support and research expenses, for a period of three years.

The 2013 Movember Rising Stars in Prostate Cancer Research are:

• Xuesen Dong: Dr. Dong will conduct his research at the Vancouver Prostate Centre. His research focus is: Androgen receptor signaling in castration resistant prostate cancer.
  
  
• Anthony Joshua: Dr. Joshua's research focus is: Exploiting autophagy for therapeutic gain in prostate cancer. Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is his host institution.
  
  
• Hon Leong: Dr. Leong, of the London Health Sciences Centre, will be studying: Prostate cancer microparticles in plasma as a fluid biopsy for screening of prostate cancer.
  
  
• Éric Lévesque: Dr. Lévesque is from the Université Laval. His research focus is: Novel prognostic markers of prostate cancer.

"Prostate Cancer Canada is committed to fostering the next generation of research scientists. By offering salary support to these new investigators, we are supporting talent at a critical time in their careers, ensuring that a certain proportion of their time is devoted to research," says Dr. Stuart Edmonds, Chief Scientific Officer at PCC. "By offering opportunities in prostate cancer research, and in Canada, we're investing in the future of prostate cancer research and enabling continued successes in prostate cancer research."

"It's the inspirational efforts of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas across the country that makes research awards like the Movember Rising Stars possible," comments Pete Bombaci, National Country Director, Movember Canada. "These researchers are the next generation of prostate cancer researchers and providing the opportunity for them to address the important issues and make a difference is something that the entire Movember community should take great pride in."

Thank You to Movember
PCC would like to recognize the Movember Foundation as the sole funder of this program to these four recipients. For information about prostate cancer research, visit prostatecancer.ca.

About Prostate Cancer Canada
Prostate Cancer Canada raises funds for the development of programs related to awareness and public education, advocacy, support of those affected, and research into the prevention, detection, treatment and cure of prostate cancer.  For more information visit prostatecancer.ca or check our Twitter account at @ProstateCancerC or Facebook at Prostate Cancer Canada.

About Movember
During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men's faces, in Canada and around the world. With their Mo's, these Mo Bros and supporting Mo Sistas raise vital funds and awareness for men's health issues. Since its inception as a charity event in 2004, over 2 million Mo Bros and Mo Sistas have raised almost $300 M for its causes with official Movember campaigns taking place in 21 countries. For more information please visit movember.com - @movemberCA - facebook.com/movembercanada or contact [email protected].

SOURCE: Prostate Cancer Canada

For interview inquiries with PCC, Movember or award recipients, please contact:

Rebecca von Goetz
Prostate Cancer Canada
416-441-2131 ext. 258
[email protected]

Yasna Criscione
Argyle Communications
416-968-7311 ext. 243
[email protected]