VANCOUVER, June 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - MDS Inc. , a global life sciences company and Dr. Donald Rix announced today that they will give $4 million to the BC Cancer Foundation and the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation to mark the sale of the medical diagnostics business in British Columbia to an affiliate of Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS).
The gifts are being made in recognition of Dr. Rix’s role in establishing and growing the diagnostics business in British Columbia during a long and successful partnership with MDS over the past two decades. The organizations will each receive $2 million to support innovative research.
These gifts will be used to: - Create an Early Lung Cancer Detection and Translational Research Program at the BC Cancer Agency; - Support research into Huntington disease at the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child & Family Research Institute - the research partner of the BC Children’s Hospital.
“MDS is proud of the contributions that we have made with Dr. Rix to health care in British Columbia,” said Stephen DeFalco, President and CEO of MDS. “As we conclude our partnership with Dr. Rix, we want to show our appreciation for his unique contributions to the diagnostic services business in British Columbia and his continued support of important health related issues.”
“These gifts recognize our appreciation for the patients, doctors, employees and many others who have used the laboratory services in British Columbia over the past two decades,” said Dr. Donald Rix. “At the same time, they recognize MDS’s commitment to advancing health care and the well being of people with this commitment to the incredible work of these two organizations.”
The BC Cancer Agency is renowned world wide for leading edge research and its population-based approach to cancer care, including early detection, treatment and care. The Early Lung Cancer Detection and Translational Research Program at the BC Cancer Agency will be set up under the direction of the Agency’s chair of the lung tumour group, Dr. Stephen Lam. This program will support early detection of lung cancer to help reduce the number of deaths caused by the disease. New molecular markers will be used in this research to determine which people are most at risk for lung cancer and to help detect and treat the disease more effectively. The research will also seek to identify small but aggressive cancers that spread rapidly to develop more effective treatments.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in North America. According to the BC Cancer Agency, lung cancer is responsible for more deaths than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. While survival rates from most other types of cancer have improved since the 1970s, lung cancer survival rates have not improved significantly. In British Columbia, over 2,400 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year, and only 15% of them will survive longer than five years. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that 23,300 Canadians will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year and 19,900 will die from it. On a global scale, lung cancer causes 1.3 million deaths each year according to the World Health Organization.
“This gift is an important catalyst that will ultimately help us to detect lung cancer earlier and save lives,” said Dr. Stephen Lam, head of lung cancer programs at the BC Cancer Agency. “Currently lung cancer survival rates are about 15%. With early detection, we are hopeful that we can increase survival to 70%-90%. This new funding will lead the way for other people to support research that will make a difference for lung cancer patients.”
The Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics (CMMT) is a world-leading research centre at BC Children’s Hospital’s Child & Family Research Institute. The CMMT is dedicated to advancing fundamental understanding of the molecular function and structure of genes as the key to improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of health problems in children and adults.
Under the leadership of geneticist Dr. Michael Hayden, the donated funds will be used to support research into Huntington disease. Dr. Hayden’s work has included the development of predictive testing for the disease, achievement of an understanding of the basic defect behind Huntington disease and work on the development of novel therapies for the disease. Huntington disease affects about one in every 10,000 people in North America. A parent with the disease has a 50% chance of passing it on to their child. Symptoms typically appear in the mid 30s to mid 40s.
“This incredible gift from a remarkable individual and company will provide significant and crucial support to allow our research findings to be translated into benefits for patients,” said Dr. Michael Hayden, Director of CMMT. “We are immensely grateful for this farsighted contribution.”
About MDS
MDS Inc. is a global life sciences company that provides market-leading products and services for the development of drugs and diagnosis and treatment of disease. We are a leading global provider of pharmaceutical contract research, medical isotopes for molecular imaging, radiotherapeutics, and analytical instruments. MDS Inc. has more than 6,200 highly skilled people in 28 countries. Find out more at www.mdsinc.com or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day.
About the BC Cancer Foundation
Established in 1935, The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to care at the BC Cancer Agency. The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care.
About BC Children’s Hospital Foundation
BC Children’s Hospital Foundation works with communities to raise funds for essentials such as medical equipment, research into childhood diseases and a range of child health education and training programs. Activities include major gift fundraising, planned giving and a variety of annual programs, such as events, radiothons and telethons. In 2005/2006, the Foundation had revenues of $40.9 million. As steward of philanthropic donations to Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre and the Child & Family Research Institute, the Foundation issues charitable receipts and ensures donations are allocated to the areas to which donors have designated their support. For more information, please go to www.bcchf.ca.
MDS Inc.
CONTACT: Investors: Sharon Mathers, Senior Vice-President, InvestorRelations and External Communications, MDS Inc., (416) 675-6777 x 34721,sharon.mathers@mdsinc.com; Media: Catherine Melville, Director, ExternalCommunications, MDS Inc., (416) 675-6777 x 32265,catherine.melville@mdsinc.com; Penny Noble, Senior Director Public Affairs,BC Cancer Foundation, (604) 707-5902, pnoble@bccancer.bc.ca; StephenForgacs, Director, Communications, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, (604)875-2338, sforgacs@cw.bc.ca
