Accelerating and expanding blood cancer research
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) has committed nearly $5 million to blood cancer research in Canada in 2024 - with another $1.25 million from our partners!
More than ever, we’re focused on innovating blood cancer research; here’s how this year’s funding is breaking new ground:
- First grant from LLSC for using artificial intelligence (AI) in blood cancer research!
- First integration of voices of lived experience (members of the blood cancer community) into the research grant process!
- First research focused on under-studied populations with blood cancer: women’s health; South Asian Canadians; and socio-economically marginalized individuals!
- First funding partnerships with Myeloma Canada, and with Cell Therapy Transplant Canada.
AI in blood cancer research
LLSC broke ground this year by offering our first grant focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in blood cancer research. These sophisticated technologies allow researchers to access huge amounts of data in their studies much faster and more efficiently. Five researchers from various provinces were awarded the AI Blood Cancer Catalyst Grant, which is a one-year proof of concept program.
Community partner engagement in research grants
LLSC has launched a novel ‘community partner’ program into our funding application review process – integrating the lived experience of survivors, the newly diagnosed, and caregivers in the Canadian blood cancer community.
Eight community partners were involved in reviewing applicants for the LLSC operating grants, 1 community partner for the LLSC pediatric blood cancer grants, and 1 for the quality of life grants. This exciting new development will be expanded further as an integral part of our review process from now on.
Under-studied populations with blood cancer
LLSC is delighted to be funding three research projects that focus on under-studied groups of Canadians. One quality of life grant is focused on South Asian older adults’ experience of blood cancer; another QoL grant targets a women’s health issue that can be a chronic side effect of donor stem cell transplant. A third study will investigate how marginalization (housing instability, unemployment, being non-Caucasian) might affect blood cancer survivors after stem cell transplant.
New funding partnerships
LLSC is thrilled to announce new partnerships with Myeloma Canada, and with Cell Therapy Transplant Canada. Each of these national organizations is partnering with us on operating grants that will, respectively, look at novel myeloma monitoring, and a newer type of CAR-T therapy for leukemia.
We continue to partner with Cancer Research Society for the fourth year in a row, on LLSC operating grants for blood cancer research. This year, CRS is helping us fund the work of 10 researchers across various types of blood cancers and types of treatment.
For more information, visit our current and past funded research section on our website.
