All proceeds support the DOvEEgene project, whose new genomic uterine pap test allows for the earlier diagnosis of ovarian and endometrial cancers.
MONTRÉAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / October 19, 2022 / Hundreds of walkers and runners, many wearing elaborate team costumes, took to the streets of Town of Mount Royal on Sunday, October 16, for the 7th annual Cedars Run for Ovarian Cancer. The event, which raised over $120,000, is the signature annual fundraiser for the Dagenais Joly-Smith Fund, and all proceeds support the DOvEEgene project, under the leadership of Dr. Lucy Gilbert, Director of Gynecologic Oncology at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC).
"My family and I are so grateful to all the runners and walkers who came out to support the DOvEEgene project and to help us continue the fight against gynecological cancers," said Dominique Dagenais, event founder and Stage 3 ovarian cancer survivor. "Until recently, these cancers could not be detected until it was too late. Dr. Gilbert and her team keep pushing the boundaries of science and finding ways to diagnose them earlier. Their work has saved the lives of countless mothers, daughters, and sisters."
Over 3,000 Canadian women are diagnosed with ovarian and endometrial cancers every year, and more than 75% of them were not diagnosed until their cancer had reached an advanced stage. These cancers
are often referred to as "silent killers," because their symptoms can easily be mistaken for menopause-related changes and digestive issues - and because, until recently, there was no simple test to detect them.
"If you can detect a cancer in its early stages, you can cure it. But if you only detect it when it reaches the advanced stages, you can't. You can only delay its progression and try to extend a patient's life with chemotherapy and radiation," explains Dr, Lucy Gilbert, a world-renowned oncologist who leads the DOvEEgene project. "Our research has led to the development of the DOvEEgene genomic PAP test, which can detect these cancers in their earliest stages, so we can stop them in their tracks," she added.
"Our raison d'être is to foster excellence in research, treatment and care at the Cedars Cancer Centre of the MUHC, and we are therefore incredibly proud to support the transformative work of Dr. Gilbert and her team at the DOvEEgene project," says Jeff J. Shamie, President and CEO of the Cedars Cancer Foundation. "This project is a game-changer. Dr. Gilbert is just a few steps away from being able to provide a simple, routine test to detect gynecological cancers in their earliest stages, which will save the life of thousands of women every year, so please donate!"
PHOTOS
The following photos can be downloaded here:
Photo 1:
Dr. Lucy Gilbert (back row, fourth from left) and the DOvEEgene Team
Photo 2 (left to right):
STANDING: Jeff J. Shamie, President & CEO, Cedars Cancer Foundation; Tony Aksa, Chairman of the Board of Cedars; Michelle Setlakwe, MNA for Mont-Royal - Outremont; Peter Malouf, Mayor of the Town of Mount Royal; Dr. Lucy Gilbert, Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Oncology at McGill, Director of Gynecologic Cancer Services at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), and founder of the DOvEE Project; Daniel Pilon, Town of Mount Royal Councillor; Steve Joly-Smith, Event Co-Chair; Antoine Tayer, Town of Mount Royal Councillor; Maryam Kamali Nezhad, Town of Mount Royal Councillor. SEATED: Dominique Dagenais, Event Co-Chair & Founder.
Photo 3:
10km race winners and recipients of the Dr. Kris Jardon Memorial Trophy, Mark Hounsell (left of trophy) and Victor Allonier (right of trophy); Dr. Jardon's son, Samuel Jardon (centre, behind trophy); and Jeff J. Shamie, President & CEO, Cedars Cancer Foundation (right).
Photo 4 (left to right):
Steven Joly-Smith, Event Co-Chair, and Dominique Dagenais, Event Co-Chair & Founder
Photo 5:
A team finishing their race
ABOUT THE DOvEEgene PROJECT
The DOvEEgene project brings the screening of ovarian and endometrial cancers one step further with the revolutionary new genomic uterine pap test, the DOvEEgene test, developed by Dr. Lucy Gilbert and her team of McGill researchers. The test provides a safe and minimally invasive method for earlier diagnosis of ovarian and endometrial cancers. With their test in its final stage of clinical trials, Dr. Gilbert and her team are closer than ever to making the DOvEEgene test a standard in women's health care.
About the Cedars Cancer Foundation
The Cedars Cancer Foundation (Cedars) is a charitable organization that is the funding arm of the MUHC's fight against cancer. It aims to ease the pain and suffering caused by cancer, regardless of the patient's age. Cedars supports the hospital's Cancer Centre, which bears its name, as well as the Cancer Research Program of the Research Institute of the MUHC. Cedars is also a founding partner of the Rossy Cancer Network, which brings together McGill University and its teaching hospitals to improve the quality of every patient's experience and care outcome.
MEDIA CONTACT
Ms. Michèle LaForest
T: (514) 970-9617
E: michele.laforest@communicationsavenue.com
SOURCE: Cedars Cancer Foundation
View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/720942/Weekend-Races-Provide-a-120000-Boost-to-the-Development-of-a-Revolutionary-PAP-Test-To-Detect-Gynecological-Cancers-at-the-MUHC
