Alberta Cancer Foundation Invests $35-Million to Power Cancer Clinical Trials Across the Province
Key Insights
The Alberta Cancer Foundation (search) is investing $35-million over five years, one of the largest clinical trial investments in its history, to advance cancer clinical trials across Alberta.
Funding will support flagship research hubs in Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge, accelerating CAR T-cell therapy, emerging immunotherapies, and innovative prostate cancer (search) radiation trials.
The investment directly builds on the Government of Alberta's newly launched 10-Year Cancer Care Strategy aimed at improving outcomes and expanding research.
The Alberta Cancer Foundation (search) has announced a $35-million investment to advance cancer clinical trials across the province, marking one of the largest commitments to clinical trial funding over a five-year window in the Foundation's history. The funding, announced July 6, 2026, will support innovative new treatments and back essential day-to-day trial operations that make existing therapies safer, faster, and more effective for patients.
"Clinical trials are the backbone of progress in cancer care and ultimately turn medical breakthroughs today into standard of care for future generations," said Wendy Beauchesne, CEO of the Alberta Cancer Foundation (search). "Together with our donor community, we are proud to make this transformational investment which will accelerate the journey from discovery to impact so promising new treatments reach Alberta patients faster."
The investment directly builds on the Government of Alberta's new 10-Year Cancer Care Strategy, announced in June 2026, which aims to improve outcomes, enhance patient experiences, advance research, and strengthen cancer care across the province.
Strengthening Flagship Research Hubs
The funding will support operations and expand infrastructure at key research hubs throughout Alberta. In Calgary, the Riddell Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy and the Owerko Family Centre for Clinical Trials will receive backing to continue their work at the forefront of cancer research. In Edmonton, the Clinical Trials Unit at the Cross Cancer Institute will use the investment to accelerate CAR T-cell therapy and other emerging immunotherapies.
In Lethbridge, the investment will help launch a clinical trial using advanced MRI imaging to test whether doctors can safely reduce the number of prostate cancer (search) radiation sessions required by patients during treatment — a study with the potential to meaningfully improve quality of life for men undergoing radiation therapy.
A Track Record of Impact
The Alberta Cancer Foundation (search) serves as the fundraising engine behind every cancer centre in the province. On any given day, Foundation funding helps ensure that Albertans have access to more than 200 active cancer clinical trials. Donor-funded research and clinical trials have directly contributed to a dramatic shift in Alberta's cancer outcomes: over the last 25 years, the province has gone from having one of the lowest cancer survival rates in Canada to one of the highest.
"The Alberta Cancer Foundation (search)'s historic $35-million investment directly accelerates Alberta's Strategic Plan for Cancer to 2036, driving advanced research and expanding access to clinical trials," said Brenda Hubley, Managing Director of Cancer Care Alberta (search). "By expanding our clinical trial capacity, we are bringing more innovative treatment options to Albertans right now. We are deeply grateful to the donors whose generosity makes this critical investment possible for patients and families across the province."