You can help light the way forward.
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation is Canada’s largest cancer charity. We’re dedicated to raising funds for Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the world’s leading cancer research and treatment centres and the only hospital in Canada that is singularly dedicated to cancer.
Our world-renowned team of doctors, researchers, and scientists is continuously making groundbreaking discoveries that are changing the way cancer is researched, diagnosed, and treated across Canada and around the world.
Your generosity will support the next big cancer breakthrough, bringing us closer to a world free from the fear of cancer.
Learn more about our three key fundraising priorities:
Early Detection
“My attitude toward survival has shifted significantly because of The Princess Margaret.”
Detecting cancer in its earliest stages results in better outcomes for patients and can eliminate the need for invasive treatments altogether. Early detection has been critical to saving Luana’s life – six times.
Read Luana's Story
At the age of 25, while pregnant with her first child, Luana was diagnosed with breast cancer. That diagnosis triggered genetic testing, which revealed she had a rare hereditary disorder, Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS), that comes with an almost 100% chance of developing cancer again in her lifetime.
Breakthroughs in early detection at The Princess Margaret are the reason Luana has now survived cancer six times. Each time, the cancer was discovered in its earliest stages and successfully treated. “My attitude toward survival has shifted significantly because of The Princess Margaret,” said Luana. Currently, she is happily cancer-free.
Dr. Raymond Kim, Scientific Co-Lead, Peter Gilgan Centre for Early Cancer Detection Research at The Princess Margaret says that early detection is the surest path to curing cancer.
“By advancing technologies like new imaging techniques and liquid biopsies, we can diagnose cancer at its earliest stages. These approaches are far less invasive than traditional methods, such as surgery-based biopsies. Precision cancer care, guided by genetics, allows us to create personalized treatment plans, giving patients a better chance at longer, healthier lives.”
Dr. Kim also highlights the critical role of fundraising in making these breakthroughs possible. “None of this would happen without the support of our donor community.”
Innovative Treatments
“I knew this clinical trial was my best shot at survival.”
Focusing on the unique needs of each patient, we are developing kinder, and more effective treatments to ease the physical, mental, and emotional challenges associated with cancer care. It was a new, innovative therapy, pioneered at The Princess Margaret, that helped Jen Pogue overcome her stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis.
Read Jen's Story
Jen Pogue was a young, vibrant actor and producer, busy developing her debut television series, when she found a lump in her breast.
It was the only symptom of stage 4, triple-negative breast cancer – a rare and aggressive form that came with limited treatment options and only two to five years of life expectancy. “My entire world collapsed,” Jen recalls.
She was quickly referred to Dr. Eitan Amir, Head of the Solid Tumour Oncology Program at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. “When I met Dr. Amir, he told me exactly what I needed to hear, which was, ‘We have an option for you.”
For Jen, he proposed a new clinical trial involving a unique combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. “I knew this clinical trial was my best shot at survival,” she said. After just one treatment, Jen’s tumour shrank by 50%. Within six months, her scans were clean, and her lesions were either benign or had dissolved. For Jen, it meant living in a world free from the fear of cancer.
Dr. Amir believes that immunotherapy, a newer cancer treatment, only available at that time at world-leading cancer centres such as The Princess Margaret, taught Jen’s body to fight the cancer on its own. “As a doctor, I’m always impressed by the culture of innovation here at The Princess Margaret. It really helps us find new ways of treating cancer.”
“Philanthropy plays a critical role in advancing cancer research. It allows us to identify new ways to diagnose and treat patients and help people like Jen live free from the fear of cancer. We are so grateful for the support of donors to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation”.
Comprehensive Support
“I know I’m in the best hands possible.”
The Princess Margaret is committed to improving the cancer experience by developing new compassionate models of care to better support cancer patients, survivors, their families, and caregivers. Thanks to mental health services at The Princess Margaret, Munira Premji was able to face her cancer diagnoses with hope and courage.
Read Munira's Story
Munira was at the top of her game when flu-like symptoms led to her needing an emergency blood transfusion. Suddenly, she was faced with a devastating diagnosis: stage 3 multiple myeloma – an incurable blood cancer. One week later, she was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“I went through all the stages of grief… sadness, depression, anger… I never imagined this would be my life,” recalled Munira. And so, she began a journey of chemotherapy, medication, and stem-cell transplants. Nothing could have prepared her for what came next. Three years after her initial diagnosis, and while still going through treatment, she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.
But it was a third diagnosis of breast cancer that pushed her to eventually seek help from a psychiatrist at the Psychosocial Oncology Clinic at The Princess Margaret. “I felt that I needed a space where I could speak to somebody and gain perspective,” said Munira. The clinic provides practical and psychological care for patients and their loved ones to help them cope with their illness and treatment.
Today, Munira’s lymphoma and breast cancer are in remission, and she takes an immunotherapy medicine to keep the myeloma at bay. Now she’s able to be a source of support for others, offering advice and resources to other cancer patients, and encouraging them to look for hope wherever they can.
“Hope is everything to me. I don’t think you can have hope without gratitude. I’m immensely grateful to Princess Margaret donors. Because of them, I know I get the best possible care.”
