ALUMNI & ADVANCEMENT CORNER

Prostate Cancer Research Advanced by Partnerships and Collaboration

For many men, there are few things more frightening than a prostate cancer diagnosis. Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer in men in Canada. On average, 65 men are diagnosed every day, from which 11 succumb to the disease.

With these statistics in mind, I am very pleased to share that the Department of Surgery has partnered with Astellas Pharma to create the Astellas Prostate Cancer Innovation Fund, an unrestricted UofT research fund with the purpose of supporting, advancing and catalyzing prostate cancer research. Under the direction and supervision of an interdisciplinary UofT review committee, overseen by the Chair of the Division of Urology, the fund will provide $150,000 in annual funding, for a period of 3 years.

Given the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of research, the competition is open to faculty members in the Faculty of Medicine and across UofT’s affiliated hospitals and research institutes, with academic appointment to any of the following Departments: Surgery, Medicine, Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, Radiation Oncology, and Medical Imaging.

Led by the Division of Urology, our Department of Surgery is at the forefront of prostate cancer research, striving to improve both patient outcomes and patient care. Our researchers have earned an international reputation for excellence in advancing the latest research into innovative therapies for men with prostate cancer.

Astellas has been a long-time supporter of the Department of Surgery and the Division of Urology, and we’d like to extend our sincere thanks for their continued leadership and support.

Darina Landa, Director of Development
University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine