A total of $2,998,000 million has gone to brain cancer research since 2015
By Shawn Hayward, The Neuro
More than 800 people gathered for A Brilliant Night on October 18 at Le Salon Richmond for the third edition of this chic cocktail dinatoire. Attendees were touched and dazzled by mesmerizing dance numbers and innovative multi-media presentations, while they sipped on champagne and enjoyed gastronomic delights donated by some of Montreal’s finest dining establishments.
It was a brilliant effort that surpassed all expectations, and when all was tallied, the total raised was an incredible $1.223 million! Costs for the event were kept extremely low thanks to those who generously donated time, goods and services and we are proud that 90 per cent of the proceeds will be donated directly to brain cancer research at The Neuro!
These funds support the Brain Tumour Program where researchers are developing individualized brain cancer treatment programs for each patient. Known as precision medicine, this treatment approach for brain cancer allows doctors to tailor treatment to patients’ biological characteristics.
Ten years ago, the average survival rate for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) – the most aggressive form of brain cancer – was less than one year. Thanks to recent advances, it is now more than 20 months, with many patients living beyond five years. However, we still have a long way to go to reduce the suffering of patients and their families caused by this disease.
During A Brilliant Night, Chief of Neurosurgery Dr. Kevin Petrecca announced some exciting new research findings. “Now we know many of the changes that occur in brain cells to cause this cancer. And we are now, in a more enlightened way, developing therapeutic strategies to treat this cancer,” he said. “There is absolutely no way this work could have happened over the past three years without the financial support of A Brilliant Night.”
“We owe the success of this event to all the people who, by their presence and participation, accept to be touched by this cause and recognize the importance of fundamental research,” says Marie-Claude Lacroix, an event organizer who lost her 27-year old son Francis to brain cancer in 2010. “Moreover, the teamwork between the scientific researchers and the organizing committee allowed guests to learn more about the progress they are helping create with their generous donations and sponsorships. Thanks to everyone involved!”
A Brilliant Night would like to thank its sponsors BMO, Desjardins, Metro, Agropur, Alre Properties, Apotex, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, CGI, Construction CAL, Fednav, Logistec, Maple Leaf Foods, Normandin Beaudry, Paysafe, Powercorp, Rossy Family Foundation, Transcontinental, Bell, Ivanhoe Cambridge, Jarislowsky Fraser and Vigilant.
The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital – The Neuro – is a world-leading destination for brain research and advanced patient care. Since its founding in 1934 by renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield, The Neuro has grown to be the largest specialized neuroscience research and clinical center in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. The seamless integration of research, patient care, and training of the world’s top minds make The Neuro uniquely positioned to have a significant impact on the understanding and treatment of nervous system disorders. The Montreal Neurological Institute is a McGill University research and teaching institute.
Areas of research include, but are not limited to, uncovering fundamental regulatory mechanisms that govern brain cancer development, regulate brain cancer stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, drive invasion, and lead to treatment resistance. All state of the art technologies are available including next generation genomic and epigenomic testing, computational biology approaches, cell based assays for drug screening, patient-derived cranial xenograft modeling, and small animal imaging.
The Brain Tumour Research Centre is directly integrated with the Neuro, enabling interactions and collaborations with molecular, cellular, and developmental neuroscientists and research groups.
The Brain Tumour Program at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital is one of the largest and most comprehensive brain tumour research and treatment programs in the country. It includes the Brain Tumour Research Centre, the Translational Neuro-Oncology Program and the interdisciplinary Clinical Neuro-Oncology Program. Integration with the translational and clinical neuro-oncology programs ensures the seamless transition of discoveries into novel therapeutics clinical trial testing.
Areas of research include, but are not limited to, uncovering fundamental regulatory mechanisms that govern brain cancer development, regulate brain cancer stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, drive invasion, and lead to treatment resistance. All state of the art technologies are available including next generation genomic and epigenomic testing, computational biology approaches, cell-based assays for drug screening, patient-derived cranial xenograft modeling, and small animal imaging.
October 30, 2017