Federal funding announced today is the largest investment in childhood cancer research in Canada to date.

Twenty-three million dollars in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) will go towards establishing the Canadian Pediatric Cancer Consortium (CPCC).

Cancer is the leading cause of death from disease in children and adolescents in Canada. Approximately 10,000 children are living with cancer in this country and 1,500 more are diagnosed every year.

A government news release says the Consortium’s vision is to strengthen research, health supports and clinical expertise in order to provide every child in Canada with cancer access to the latest scientific advances, diagnostic tools, therapies, and supportive care to help support better outcomes and a better quality of life.

Federal Health Minister Jean Yves Duclos says dedicated funding for childhood cancer research is important because pediatric cancers cannot be treated like adult cancers which is echoed by one of the consortium leaders Adrienne Co-Dyre.

“The pediatric cancer community is coming together with patients and families to forge a new path for health care in Canada. The challenges facing pediatric cancer patients are unique and require unique solutions. This Canadian Pediatric Cancer Consortium sends the message that our call for more supports during and after treatment have been heard, and that our children deserve more – more access to the highest quality care, novel treatments and opportunities to live longer and healthier lives.”