World-class UCalgary research well underway at Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre

In late October, as some of the first patients begin to walk through the front doors of the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre (also known as the Arthur Child), they join more than 120 University of Calgary investigators, trainees, and staff from the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute who have been busy working on innovative cancer research in the centre’s brand new laboratories for the past four months. “Comprehensive” refers to the fact clinicians and researchers will work together under one roof at the new cancer centre. 

“The future is brighter for cancer patients in Calgary, Canada and beyond thanks to the research that will happen at the Arthur Child and its translation into better treatments, better patient experiences, and better patient outcomes,” says Dr. Ed McCauley, University of Calgary president and vice-chancellor. 

Over three days in June, Charbonneau Institute members and their teams moved into their new research spaces at the Arthur Child. It was the largest and most complex relocation in the institute’s history; yet, with careful planning and execution, critical cancer research continued without interruption.

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“The transition was so seamless that by the end of the first day, some labs were already unpacked and were back to conducting experiments,” says Dr. Jennifer Chan, director of the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute. “Maintaining research continuity during such a massive move is a testament to the skilled teams who spent years meticulously planning and executing every detail of the process.”

Expanding cancer research space by more than 300 per cent

This move signifies a significant expansion of cancer research in southern Alberta. The research facilities will encompass over 100,000 square feet and include labs focused on understanding cancer biology, developing and testing new diagnostics and treatments for cancer, as well as a number of labs focused on improving cancer prevention, enhancing survivorship, and optimizing outcomes for patients. 

A commitment to meeting the cancer challenge

The new centre will facilitate increased collaboration and synergy like never before. For the first time in Calgary, cancer research and care are more closely integrated. By embedding research across diverse teams and spaces within the Arthur Child, research findings can be translated quickly into patient care. This ensures that treatment approaches are continuously refined and personalized, enabling the best possible outcomes and enhanced patient experiences. This has been a priority over the last decade for researchers at the Charbonneau Institute.

"Meeting the cancer challenge requires a comprehensive approach and we are growing initiatives that will drive transformative change in cancer research, treatment, and care across southern Alberta,” says Chan.

“At the Charbonneau, we are exploring every possible avenue to stay ahead of a disease that will affect one in two Canadians. Our researchers, clinicians, trainees, and staff are engaged in all areas of cancer research, from studying the basic biology of the disease to understanding its psychosocial and long-term impacts. At the same time, we’re training the next generation of cancer scientists to create the treatments of tomorrow."

The Arthur Child is the largest centre of its kind in Canada and among the largest comprehensive cancer centres in North America. In Canada, it is one of the only centres with such a large research footprint within the building.

Albertans owning cancer

This long-awaited project, shaped by years of planning, increasing patient need, and the drive to create the largest and most innovative comprehensive cancer centre in Canada, has finally come to life due in a large part to the generosity of Albertans. None of this would have been possible without the support of every single donation made to the OWN.CANCER campaign. With clinical operations coming online, the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre is now positioned to truly live up to its name as a hub for comprehensive cancer care and research.