Thank you to everyone who made the annual Gala for Brain Cancer Research possible. We raised $250,000 in support of innovative brain cancer research in Canada.
#BrainTumour #BrainCancer
#BrainTumour #BrainCancer
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Brain Cancer Canada
@braincancercan
Accelerate | Advocate | Transform
Dedicated to funding research and neurosurgical technologies for pediatric and adult primary brain cancers.
Dedicated to funding research and neurosurgical technologies for pediatric and adult primary brain cancers.
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Brain Cancer Canada, the only 100% volunteer-driven charity dedicated exclusively to funding brain cancer research nationwide, is proud to award $75,000 to first-of-its-kind research project led by
Dr. Magimairajan Issai Vanan and his team and collaborators at the @umanitoba .
The project titled “Investigating the role of cytoneme-mediated signaling in therapy response and tumour micro-environment in Diffuse Midline Glioma of the Pons (DMG-P)” will use a step-wise approach to explore the way cells in this devastating pediatric brain cancer ‘talk’ to other cells and to explore new ways of treating this disease with limited current treatment options.
Children with Diffuse Midline Glioma of the Pons (DMG-P) face a devastating prognosis, largely because the brain’s protective wall—the blood-brain barrier (BBB)—remains so strong that it blocks even the most powerful cancer drugs.
The work being led by Dr. Vanan and colleagues explores the role of cytonemes generated by the cancer cells in maintaining that protective barrier and preventing current drugs from reaching the tumour.
“This project will be the first systematic interrogation of cytonemes in pediatric brain tumours (DMG-P): to define how actin-based signaling projections coordinate morphogen delivery between tumour cells and brain microvascular endothelial cells and thereby preserve BBB integrity. Our work reframes BBB modulation from “global disruption” to precision interference with tumour–endothelium communication.” says Dr. Vanan.
This announcement represents one of six grants awarded during Brain Cancer Awareness Month (May), combined to invest $425,000 in promising Canadian Brain Cancer research.
This research grant was made possible through community fundraising, including 5K For Sofie Maye, Devin's DIPG Legacy Fund, Oakville Golf Invitational, Tomasz Kutasienski Memorial Fundraiser, Trinty's Army & Willow's Wishes, and Tyler Palmowski Memorial Tournament.
Press Release: globenewswire.com/news-release/2…
#BrainCancerAwarenessMonth #BCAM
Dr. Magimairajan Issai Vanan and his team and collaborators at the @umanitoba .
The project titled “Investigating the role of cytoneme-mediated signaling in therapy response and tumour micro-environment in Diffuse Midline Glioma of the Pons (DMG-P)” will use a step-wise approach to explore the way cells in this devastating pediatric brain cancer ‘talk’ to other cells and to explore new ways of treating this disease with limited current treatment options.
Children with Diffuse Midline Glioma of the Pons (DMG-P) face a devastating prognosis, largely because the brain’s protective wall—the blood-brain barrier (BBB)—remains so strong that it blocks even the most powerful cancer drugs.
The work being led by Dr. Vanan and colleagues explores the role of cytonemes generated by the cancer cells in maintaining that protective barrier and preventing current drugs from reaching the tumour.
“This project will be the first systematic interrogation of cytonemes in pediatric brain tumours (DMG-P): to define how actin-based signaling projections coordinate morphogen delivery between tumour cells and brain microvascular endothelial cells and thereby preserve BBB integrity. Our work reframes BBB modulation from “global disruption” to precision interference with tumour–endothelium communication.” says Dr. Vanan.
This announcement represents one of six grants awarded during Brain Cancer Awareness Month (May), combined to invest $425,000 in promising Canadian Brain Cancer research.
This research grant was made possible through community fundraising, including 5K For Sofie Maye, Devin's DIPG Legacy Fund, Oakville Golf Invitational, Tomasz Kutasienski Memorial Fundraiser, Trinty's Army & Willow's Wishes, and Tyler Palmowski Memorial Tournament.
Press Release: globenewswire.com/news-release/2…
#BrainCancerAwarenessMonth #BCAM
2026 DOUGLAS MACRAE AWARD OF COURAGE🏆💜
In 2023, The Douglas MacRae Award of Courage was created by Brain Cancer Canada and Marie Anne MacRae (Douglas’ wife). Doug joined Brain Cancer Canada as an ambassador while he was in the throes of his experience with GBM. He was an artist, photographer, motorcycle racer, and world traveler.
The award acknowledges individuals who demonstrate humility and kindness, who work selflessly to improve human welfare, have a positive impact on the community, and demonstrate grit and fierce resilience in the face of adversity.
Catherine and Stuart exemplify every characteristic that this award represents. They are each tenacious, humble, kind, committed, and bring humour, integrity, and perspective throughout their interactions.
This year, we are so very proud to present the award to two remarkable individuals:
🗣Catherine Wreford, BCC Engagement Ambassador, patient advocate, and brain cancer survivor and thriver: Catherine is a celebrated performer, educator, and winner of The Amazing Race Canada. Living with brain cancer, she uses her platform to raise awareness, inspire others, and advocate for increased research funding. As an Engagement Ambassador, Catherine brings a powerful voice and national visibility to the brain cancer community.
🗣Stuart Selby, Engagement Ambassador, patient advocate, and brain cancer survivor and thriver:
A retired pharmaceutical professional, Stuart brings decades of industry expertise to Brain Cancer Canada. Following his own brain cancer diagnosis, he has become a passionate advocate for research, awareness, and patient support. Stuart leverages both his professional background and personal journey to help strengthen engagement efforts and advance the organization’s mission.
Brain Cancer Canada is profoundly grateful for the extraordinary depth of both Catherine and Stuart’s contributions to the brain cancer community.
Join us this May 22, at Paramount Event Space as Marie Anne MacRae honours Catherine and Stuart with the Douglas MacRae Award of Courage at the 2026 Gala for Brain Cancer Research.
🔗Click link for details: braincancercanada.akaraisin.com/ui/Gala2026
#douglasmacraeawardofcourage
In 2023, The Douglas MacRae Award of Courage was created by Brain Cancer Canada and Marie Anne MacRae (Douglas’ wife). Doug joined Brain Cancer Canada as an ambassador while he was in the throes of his experience with GBM. He was an artist, photographer, motorcycle racer, and world traveler.
The award acknowledges individuals who demonstrate humility and kindness, who work selflessly to improve human welfare, have a positive impact on the community, and demonstrate grit and fierce resilience in the face of adversity.
Catherine and Stuart exemplify every characteristic that this award represents. They are each tenacious, humble, kind, committed, and bring humour, integrity, and perspective throughout their interactions.
This year, we are so very proud to present the award to two remarkable individuals:
🗣Catherine Wreford, BCC Engagement Ambassador, patient advocate, and brain cancer survivor and thriver: Catherine is a celebrated performer, educator, and winner of The Amazing Race Canada. Living with brain cancer, she uses her platform to raise awareness, inspire others, and advocate for increased research funding. As an Engagement Ambassador, Catherine brings a powerful voice and national visibility to the brain cancer community.
🗣Stuart Selby, Engagement Ambassador, patient advocate, and brain cancer survivor and thriver:
A retired pharmaceutical professional, Stuart brings decades of industry expertise to Brain Cancer Canada. Following his own brain cancer diagnosis, he has become a passionate advocate for research, awareness, and patient support. Stuart leverages both his professional background and personal journey to help strengthen engagement efforts and advance the organization’s mission.
Brain Cancer Canada is profoundly grateful for the extraordinary depth of both Catherine and Stuart’s contributions to the brain cancer community.
Join us this May 22, at Paramount Event Space as Marie Anne MacRae honours Catherine and Stuart with the Douglas MacRae Award of Courage at the 2026 Gala for Brain Cancer Research.
🔗Click link for details: braincancercanada.akaraisin.com/ui/Gala2026
#douglasmacraeawardofcourage
May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month🧠🗓.
It’s a time to recognize the profound impact brain cancer has on individuals, families, and entire communities.
This month, we come together to stand in solidarity🫂, more visibly and more loudly than ever before. To listen, to learn, and to ensure the voices of those affected are seen and heard.
It’s also a time to spotlight the critical research needed to improve outcomes and bring hope for the future.
Brain cancer remains one of the most urgent and challenging areas in oncology. Here are the facts:
🧠There are over 120 types of brain tumours, approximately one-third of which are cancerous.
🧠On average, 9 Canadians are diagnosed with brain cancer every day. It is the leading cause of cancer-related death in children and young adults under 40.
🧠Glioblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumour in adults, often has a prognosis measured in months, not years.
🧠Survival rates have seen little improvement in decades, underscoring the urgent need for increased research investment.
Brain cancer is not always easy to talk about, but it’s imperative that we do. It’s why Brain Cancer Canada exists: to create a space to share stories, to grieve, to offer hope, and to work toward changing outcomes for the next family in ways that weren’t possible for some of our own.
Follow along this month to learn, share, and find ways to get involved.
#BrainTumourAwarenessMonth #BTAM
It’s a time to recognize the profound impact brain cancer has on individuals, families, and entire communities.
This month, we come together to stand in solidarity🫂, more visibly and more loudly than ever before. To listen, to learn, and to ensure the voices of those affected are seen and heard.
It’s also a time to spotlight the critical research needed to improve outcomes and bring hope for the future.
Brain cancer remains one of the most urgent and challenging areas in oncology. Here are the facts:
🧠There are over 120 types of brain tumours, approximately one-third of which are cancerous.
🧠On average, 9 Canadians are diagnosed with brain cancer every day. It is the leading cause of cancer-related death in children and young adults under 40.
🧠Glioblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumour in adults, often has a prognosis measured in months, not years.
🧠Survival rates have seen little improvement in decades, underscoring the urgent need for increased research investment.
Brain cancer is not always easy to talk about, but it’s imperative that we do. It’s why Brain Cancer Canada exists: to create a space to share stories, to grieve, to offer hope, and to work toward changing outcomes for the next family in ways that weren’t possible for some of our own.
Follow along this month to learn, share, and find ways to get involved.
#BrainTumourAwarenessMonth #BTAM
At Brain Cancer Canada, volunteers aren’t just part of what we do, they are EVERYTHING we do.
With more than 50 dedicated Board Directors and Ambassadors across the country, not a single individual receives a wage or salary.
As the only 100% volunteer-driven national charity dedicated to funding brain cancer research🧠🔬, every initiative, every event, and every dollar raised is powered by people who give their time, energy, and expertise because they’ve been personally impacted, or because they recognize the urgent need for greater research investment and improved treatment options.
“From the beginning, I believed that every dollar raised should go as far as possible toward research. Making Brain Cancer Canada 100% volunteer-driven wasn’t just a decision, it was a commitment. A commitment to families, like mine, who have been impacted by a brain cancer diagnosis, to prioritize impact over overhead, and ensure everything we do is driven by purpose, not profit.” -Angela Scalisi
Brain cancer remains one of the most underfunded and challenging areas in oncology. Progress depends on action. Volunteers are driving it forward every single day.
This National Volunteer Week, we honour the people behind Brain Cancer Canada’s mission: those organizing, advocating, fundraising, and pushing for change. These are the individuals who believe in, and are working toward, a future without brain cancer🧠.
#NationalVolunteerWeek #VolunteerDriven #BrainCancerCanada #BrainCancerAwareness #EndBrainCancer
With more than 50 dedicated Board Directors and Ambassadors across the country, not a single individual receives a wage or salary.
As the only 100% volunteer-driven national charity dedicated to funding brain cancer research🧠🔬, every initiative, every event, and every dollar raised is powered by people who give their time, energy, and expertise because they’ve been personally impacted, or because they recognize the urgent need for greater research investment and improved treatment options.
“From the beginning, I believed that every dollar raised should go as far as possible toward research. Making Brain Cancer Canada 100% volunteer-driven wasn’t just a decision, it was a commitment. A commitment to families, like mine, who have been impacted by a brain cancer diagnosis, to prioritize impact over overhead, and ensure everything we do is driven by purpose, not profit.” -Angela Scalisi
Brain cancer remains one of the most underfunded and challenging areas in oncology. Progress depends on action. Volunteers are driving it forward every single day.
This National Volunteer Week, we honour the people behind Brain Cancer Canada’s mission: those organizing, advocating, fundraising, and pushing for change. These are the individuals who believe in, and are working toward, a future without brain cancer🧠.
#NationalVolunteerWeek #VolunteerDriven #BrainCancerCanada #BrainCancerAwareness #EndBrainCancer
