Cancer Month is Symbolized by the Daffodil
In 1957, a Torontonian by the name of Fran Shannon volunteered to sell daffodils for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) in an effort to raise money for cancer research. She managed to raise $1,200.
Almost 50 years later, the tradition continues -- annually. At the beginning of April, daffodils are shipped out free of charge from Victoria to Montreal in one devoted freight car of a Canadian Pacific railroad train.
The CCS claims this to be one of its greatest successes, as the number of cities and towns involved in the Daffodil Day sales have increased from 22 to 157 in the past 15 years.
With this in mind, the CCS has declared April to be Daffodil Month.
In 2004, an estimated 145,500 new cases of cancer were diagnosed -- and 68,300 Canadians died. The daffodil is a symbol of courage in the face of great adversity caused by the disease.
Courage takes all forms - as does hope for progress
In 2000, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) took an innovative and progressive step forward with the creation of the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). As one of CIHR's 13 Institutes, ICR is devoted to reducing the burden of cancer on individuals and families through prevention strategies, diagnosis, effective treatment, psycho-social support systems, and palliation.
As the Scientific Director of ICR, Dr. Phil Branton is dedicated to supporting and facilitating the onset of great number of exciting new research challenges in cancer control - including palliative care.
Canada Leads the Way in Palliative Care Research
Historically, palliative and end-of-life care research has been under-funded in Canada and small groups of highly committed and dedicated researchers have struggled to obtain recognition for the field as an independent health discipline. In recent years, more and more countries including Canada have recognized the importance of effective and timely palliative and end-of-life care.
In 2003 CIHR's ICR spearheaded the creation of the $16.5 million Palliative and End-of-Life Care Initiative, the largest research initiative in this field ever undertaken in Canada. The Initiative embraces research needs, gaps and opportunities - not only in basic science and the treatment of common symptoms but also in psychosocial, financial, spiritual, ethical and gender issues that result in patient and/or family distress or inadequate access to services. It's a collaboration that represents a multidisciplinary approach to health research with a variety of external partners -- as well as seven other CIHR Institutes.
Palliative Care - Not Just Restricted to Cancer
Palliative and end-of-life care, although traditionally associated with cancer care, intersects with a number of other clinical disciplines, such as cardiology, respiratory medicine, critical care, nephrology, pediatrics neurology, and psychosocial oncology.
Diversity of Research
The Palliative and End-of-Life Care Initiative was designed to create a strong research base and recognition for the field as a health-research discipline in its own right.
Here are some of the funded projects:
The unique combination of expertise in many projects will allow researchers, caregivers, patients and their families, to establish new ways to address key issues of the dying.
For further information on this initiative, please consult the following brochure - A New Era in Canadian Palliative and End-of-Life Care Research
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