News Release

1999-125
October 29, 1999

Federal funding for breast cancer information and support

WINNIPEG - Foreign Affairs Minister and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre Lloyd Axworthy, today announced federal funding to support the efforts of the Hope Breast Cancer Information and Resource Centre and Manitoba Breast Cancer Advisory Council to develop a provincial network for breast cancer information and support.

Making the announcement on behalf of Health Minister Allan Rock, Mr. Axworthy said: "This partnership will help ensure that breast health and cancer information and support are readily available and accessible throughout Manitoba. It is an important step in enhancing the quality of life for all women living with this disease."

The Hope Breast Cancer Information and Resource Centre and Manitoba Breast Cancer Advisory Council will receive $25,620 from Health Canada's Population Health Fund. The sponsors will foster partnership and collaboration among a number of groups across the province, including survivors, health professionals, volunteers, support groups and other agencies. These stakeholders will be invited to participate in a two-day forum featuring information on topics like screening, surveillance, education and research, and begin development of the provincial network. The forum will be held in January 2000.

The Manitoba Breast Cancer Advisory Council was established in 1993 and is comprised of representatives from organizations dedicated to improving breast cancer services. The Hope Breast Cancer Information and Resource Centre provides information and support to women and their families through the expertise of nurses and breast cancer survivors.

"This funding provides us with a tremendous opportunity to expand networks across the province of Manitoba, which will promote understanding of, and access to breast health/cancer resources for all citizens of Manitoba," said Kathy Thomson, Director, Hope Breast Cancer Information and Resource Centre. "This project will foster the dissemination of breast health and breast cancer information and support across the whole province while promoting an understanding of the strengths and challenges that communities face in their efforts to access resources as close to home as possible."

The Population Health Fund

Health Canada has adopted a population health approach to further its continuing mandate to maintain and improve the health of Canadians. This approach recognizes that many factors, in addition to the health care system, have a strong influence on health, for example: nutrition, physical activity, and education. The approach promotes prevention, and encourages positive action on determinants that affect the health of the population as a whole, or that of specific population groups. The goal of the Population Health Fund, which has an annual budget of $14 million, is to increase community capacity for action on the determinants of health.

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Media Inquiries
Derek Kent
Office of Allan Rock
(613) 957-1515

Lesley Thomson
Office of Lloyd Axworthy
(204) 983-7096

Kathy Thomson
Hope Breast Cancer Centre
(204) 788-8313

Public Inquiries
(613) 957-2991