Giving to Cancer Research
Why is investing in cancer research important?
- 1 in 2 Albertans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime
- 1 in 5 will die of the disease
- By 2040, Alberta will see an estimated 33,773 new cases of cancer diagnosed every year
- Breast, lung, prostate, colorectal and blood cancers are the most common cancers in Alberta
To effectively counter these statistics, we need an arsenal of research discoveries, targeted strategies, and a united force of experts collaborating to revolutionize cancer care. This is the strength and mission of the Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta (CRINA).
CRINA was established in 2014 to facilitate connections between expert researchers across several diverse faculties at the University of Alberta. Bringing their wide-ranging experience and perspectives to each project, the institute’s members are collaborating to improve cancer outcomes and experiences across the continuum.
How Your Donations Are Used
CRINA researchers are able to make significant advances thanks to the generosity of donors. Philanthropic support speeds implementation of discoveries from laboratory to clinic, and we are grateful for your support.
Why We Give
Terry and Betty Davis finance the CRINA Bridge Funding Program
“Our initial decision to support CRINA really had nothing to do with bridge funding itself. We felt firstly that as born and bred Edmontonians, educated at Edmonton public schools and the University of Alberta, that supporting our community was our goal. Our financial advisor early on in our planning suggested that it would be wise to find something we were passionate about and concentrate our charitable donations in one area so that it might make a difference.
We asked to hear about meaningful research in the field of medicine that we might support. That led us to CRINA which appealed to us because it was a multidisciplinary look at research, involving a wide range of faculties and expertise. The need for bridge funding for research came to light as we considered ways to contribute. We have learned how difficult it is for researchers to obtain large grants without initial financial support during beginning phases of study. That gave us the impetus to get involved to ensure that research has a chance for national dollars.
We have no expertise in judging the complex projects that seek to be supported. The competition is judged by medical professionals and we are always excited to hear about who has been successful and what the research involves. The individuals involved share their projects with us in a simplified version so that we have some understanding of their plan. We have toured the university to meet CRINA recipients and hear their progress, wearing our CRINA lab coats as a symbol of our commitment to the bridge funding.
We chose cancer because it is a scary disease for patients and their loved ones. At the time, we had very little cancer in our history but in 2016, Betty was diagnosed with colon cancer, had a bowel resection and has been totally clear for the last nine years, and in 2024, Terry had a MOHS procedure to remove squamous cell cancer on his face. Now we do have a personal connection with cancer and are grateful that we know that research is ongoing in all areas of cancer.”
– Terry and Betty Davis