November 4, 2005 Source: University of Calgary:
http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/nov05/oncology-chair.html $3 million gift establishes new chair in cancer research A $3 million donation announced Friday will fund a new research chair at the University of Calgary in psychosocial oncology – the treatment of the psychological, emotional, spiritual and quality-of-life issues affecting cancer patients and their families. The Enbridge Research Chair in Psychosocial Oncology will be the first of its kind in Canada, and one of only a few in the world dedicated to a holistic approach to cancer that treats body, mind and soul. Jointly funded by Enbridge ($1.2 million), the Alberta Cancer Foundation ($300,000) and the Alberta/N.W.T division of the Canadian Cancer Society ($1.5 million), it will build on the ground-breaking work of Dr. Barry Bultz, head of the Psychosocial Oncology division in the Faculty of Medicine – the first such division at a medical school in Canada – and director of the department of Psychosocial Resources at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. The role of the chair, says Bultz, will be to conduct high-quality nationally funded research into the emotional care of cancer patients and their families, target research areas currently understudied in psychosocial oncology; and attract top-level researchers, students and postdoctoral fellows to Canada. " In particular, we will focus on ‘distress screening’ – an area of research that acknowledges the high level of distress in cancer patients and families throughout diagnosis and treatment; ‘mind-body interactions’ relevant to oncology; and ‘survivorship’ – the life-beyond-treatment phase that’s so important given that over 65 per cent of all patients will live beyond five years of diagnosis," he says. Attention to the emotional side of cancer isn’t just "window-dressing" on top of traditional treatment, say patients, but an essential part of the healing process. " You have doctors to cut the cancer out of your body but the physical stuff is beside the point. Emotionally, you need to learn the tools to centre yourself, calm yourself," says Yvonne Merchant, who was diagnosed with cancer in May 2002 and referred to Bultz by her oncologist. " Dr. Bultz made me see that I had no choice about getting cancer, but I can control how I lead my life." One in three Canadians will get cancer at some point in their lives and each year, there are more than 149,000 new cases diagnosed in Canada. "The need for a compassionate and holistic multi-disciplinary health care model is critical," says Pat Daniel, president and CEO of Enbridge Inc., an international leader in energy transportation and distribution. Enbridge’s commitment is its largest community contribution ever, and is being offered as a centennial gift to Albertans. "It’s a project that Enbridge could be passionate about, and it was the right thing to do," said Daniel, after noting that both his parents died recently from cancer. Premier Ralph Klein accepted the gift on behalf of all Albertans at a press conference in Calgary on Friday. "This is a legacy gift … and we are pleased to welcome another leading edge project to the province," he said. The gift for the Enbridge Research Chair is directed to Reach!, the fundraising initiative of the U of C and the Calgary Health Region. This chair is one of the approximately 100 projects and programs, which, through philanthropic support, will advance health research, education, and patient care to create a new world standard of health for Southern Alberta.
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