Colon Cancer Canada Establishes New Scholarship in the Department of Surgery

Darina Landa

Recognizing that people have grown tired of rubber chicken dinners, endless speeches and unnecessary auction items, Colon Cancer Canada has turned their annual gala upside down. In honour of Drs. Zane Cohen and Andy Smith – past and current holders of the Bernard and Ryna Langer Chair in General Surgery – Colon Cancer Canada has established a new scholarship in colon cancer research within the Division of General Surgery's Surgeon Scientist Training Program.

As we know, Surgeon Scientists are a rare breed. They bring important questions from everyday practice into the lab and translate scientific discovery into better health for all Canadians – bridging the gap between the laboratory bench and the patient's bedside. The Surgeon Scientist Training Program is the flagship program of the Department of Surgery, attracting outstanding trainees from across North America. Funds raised through Colon Cancer Canada's Top to Bottom campaign will support the next generation of colon cancer specialists within the Division of General Surgery.

For over 10 years, Colon Cancer Canada has been dedicated to saving lives by increasing public awareness of colorectal cancer and access to screening, funding research initiatives, and providing colorectal cancer patient support. By eliminating many of the typical gala expenses, they are ensuring more funds are directed towards essential research into colon cancer.

In large part due to some healthy fundraising competition between Drs. Cohen and Smith, Colon Cancer Canada has raised over $150,000 for the scholarship! Funds will be endowed as part of the Langer Chair and, in perpetuity, will support colon cancer research at the University of Toronto.

Darina Landa,
Senior Development Officer