Making the mental health of our children a priority

A CCS-funded study led by Dr Sumit Gupta has found that childhood cancer survivors had more medical visits for a mental health complaint compared to the general population, indicating that they were at higher risk of developing mental health challenges. The most common struggles faced by survivors of childhood cancer were depression and anxiety. By identifying a need and a gap in care guidelines, studies such as this are crucial to convince policymakers to direct more resources to support the mental health of childhood cancer survivors and their families.

Breakthrough discovery, changing the future

A breakthrough discovery enabled by CCS funding could dramatically change the way we diagnose and treat the most common brain tumour in children. Dr Michael Taylor and his team showed for the first time that medulloblastoma can spread through the blood, with tumour cells circulating through the body and returning to the brain to establish a secondary tumour. Most medulloblastoma deaths are caused by tumours that have spread so, by understanding how the cancer spreads, researchers can now search for weak spots where they can disrupt the tumour cells’ journey and prevent secondary tumours. Also based on this discovery, doctors in the future could get a tumour biopsy by taking a non-invasive blood sample instead of performing brain surgery. Dr Taylor’s research could not only help save lives, but it could also help people with medulloblastoma have a better quality of life.

Expanding treatment options for multiple myeloma

Each day, roughly 9 Canadians are diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer that starts in the blood. While multiple myeloma often responds to treatment at the beginning, in most cases, the cancer comes back or relapses in a form that is more difficult to treat. As a result, only roughly 4 in 10 people with multiple myeloma will survive for more than 5 years past their diagnosis. Now, a clinical trial conducted by the CCS-funded Canadian Cancer Trials Group has provided evidence that a new treatment approach is safe and effective to treat relapsed or treatment-resistant multiple myeloma. The approach, which combines three drugs in a once-a-week schedule, led to an overall response rate of 85%, with nearly 1 in 3 people having a complete response. The researchers also found that this treatment plan was tolerated well by the study participants, with relatively few and minor side effects. Even though this study did not directly compare this new treatment plan with existing standards of care, the findings point to it being a safe and effective option for people with relapsed multiple myeloma for whom existing treatments no longer work. The once-a-week dosing schedule is also more convenient for the individual receiving care, improving their satisfaction and quality of life.

Camp Goodtimes

Funds raised at Cops for Cancer events help support our national cancer support system for families affected by cancer like Camp Goodtimes, a medically-supervised recreation experience for children and teens affected by cancer and their families.

Learn more about Camp Goodtimes

“Camp Goodtimes allowed us to connect with families who have been on a similar journey to ours. It gave us a safe community to engage and share with while enjoying the many activities and experiences camp had to offer.”

-2023 Family Camp Participant

“My camper has a difficult time coping with "why me" and her diagnosis. Coming to camp and connecting with others has helped her begin to come to terms with a life long condition. At the same time, having so many people around you who are making a safe and beautiful environment to just enjoy life, makes such a difference. So much so, that one day she wants to be a counselor at Brigadoon!”

-2023 Kids Camp Parent

Inspiring students and schools

Cops for Cancer has inspired thousands of schools and students across British Columbia for over 25 years. Cops for Cancer participants use their platform as role models in their communities to support children living with and beyond cancer and raise awareness about healthy living and cancer prevention. In 2022, Cops for Cancer connected with 100 elementary and secondary schools in over 80 BC communities.

Advocating for change

The Canadian Cancer Society has been advocating for better support for caregivers of children living with cancer for more than 15 years. Over the years, we were able to work with the government to shape significant changes to the Caregiver Benefit, the EI benefits for Parents of Critically Ill Children and the Compassionate Care Benefits.

Protecting our children from tobacco and vaping

Thanks to your support, advocacy work led by the Canadian Cancer Society is helping to protect youth in Canada from the harms of tobacco and vaping. In 2021, the federal government made significant progress towards holding tobacco companies accountable and adopting e-cigarettes regulations and restrictions.