Glioblastoma Research Program funded to study brain cancer
Lundin Cancer Fund donated $4M to Canadian Cancer Society to fund effort
The Lundin Cancer Fund has donated $4 million to the Canadian Cancer Society to create the Glioblastoma Research Program, a five-year initiative to advance research on glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Together, the two organizations expect to raise an additional $4 million. To support the project, two major fundraising events in Vancouver — the Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Ball and the Lundin Cancer Fund Gala — will join forces this year.
This spring, the groups will also organize the first Glioblastoma Discovery Summit to bring together leading brain cancer researchers from across the country to foster collaboration and identify key areas for research advancement.
“Glioblastoma is a complex and devastating cancer with immense impact on people, their loved ones and communities,” Andrea Seale, CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society, said in a press release. “With the generous contribution of the Lundin Cancer Fund, together with the support from our Daffodil Ball community, we have an unparalleled opportunity to achieve meaningful progress against glioblastoma.” The Daffodil Ball raised $4.4 million last year and, since its creation 28 years ago, has raised $28 million for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Glioblastoma is a type of glioma caused by the uncontrolled growth of astrocytes, brain cells that supports the function of nerve cells. It’s the most common type of primary brain tumor in adults, and is usually very aggressive and fast-growing, with poor long-term survival rates.
Funding glioblastoma research
“At the Lundin Cancer Fund, our mission is to finance the very best in cancer research worldwide,” Jack Lundin, CEO of Lundin Mining Corporation said. “That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with the Canadian Cancer Society, the leading cancer charity in the country that is driving progress, innovation, and impact in cancer research. We are confident that together we can spur action and change for people facing glioblastoma.”
The Lundin Cancer Fund was established by the Lundin family to fund cancer research. Lukas Lundin, an entrepreneur in the mining sector, died from glioblastoma in 2022, two years after his diagnosis. During his time with the disease, Lundin and his family came to recognize the lack of awareness and funding for innovative research and clinical trials in brain cancer.
Lundin’s last major initiative was creating the Lundin Family Brain Tumour Research Centre at the University Hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland, where Lundin was treated. His sons also created Project No Limit, as part of which they climbed Mount Everest to raise awareness and funding for glioblastoma research.
