The Robert & Maggie Bras and Family New Drug Development Program came into being June 2002.  Robert Bras was being treated for Prostate and Gallbladder Cancer at Toronto General Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital, part of the University Health Network (UHN).  From time to time he received care from Toronto Western Hospital (UHN) and Mount Sinai Hospital.  Robert’s care was exemplary and the dedication of the doctors, nurses, clinicians, pharmacists and staff went beyond the call of duty.

Our family felt a desire to ‘give-back’.  We asked ourselves what institution we should give to and what form this giving should take.  We knew the reasons why we were giving!

After considering all the options, we decided to create an endowment for a new drug development program at Princess Margaret Hospital, Canada’s largest cancer facility.  The program’s director is Dr. Malcolm Moore, who was Robert’s primary care giver.  The Robert & Maggie Bras and Family New Drug Development Program was on its feet with an amazing group of members all dedicated to fighting this insidious disease.

We have held five golf tournaments – “The Robert Bras & Family Charity Golf Tournament”, and just completed our fifth at The Summit Golf & Country Club on July 9, 2007.  It was an amazing day with a full house of golfers, coming together along with a heap of volunteers, to bring about another successful tournament.   This year was a big milestone for our tournament.  It was the fifth anniversary of Robert Bras’ death, the fifth year of holding this tournament in his name and incredibly hitting our target of $500,000 raised in five years!   The day of the tournament saw us still shy of our goal by $15,000, and much to our amazement, an anonymous donor stepped forward with a cheque for $15,000!!  How awesome and rewarding is that?

Last year we had our own amazing guest speaker, Dr. Tak Mak, of The Campbell Family Breast Centre at PMH, and this year we had Dr. Robert Bell, President and CEO, of the University Health Network.  His address was on the cost of health care and coverage in Canada vs. The United States of America.  It was an interesting address and it reminded us that yes we do have much to work on within our health care system, but in comparison we have much to be thankful for.  Thank you Dr. Bell.  Next year we have another amazing guest speaker and that is our own Dr. Ben Neel, Director of the Ontario Cancer Institute at Princess Margaret Hospital.  He was recruited this year from his positions as Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Cancer Biology program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre in Boston.  Dr. Neel is an internationally recognized researcher in cellular biology, and is committed to translating cancer research into improved clinical care.  I have heard Dr. Neel speak on many occasions and I will impart that you are in for a surprise.

With the importance being placed on our program, we have even more exciting news to share.  We have a new centre at Princess Margaret Hospital!  This is a 5400 square foot state-of-the-art new drug development centre.  The Robert & Maggie Bras and Family New Drug Development Program has a new home!  Renowned Toronto interior designer, Brian Gluckstein  and his amazing staff have donated their talents, vision and time to our new centre, and what a centre it is!!!  Thank you Brian and gang.

Also, along with Brian donating his time, many other companies and individuals within the GTA have donated artwork, accessories and furniture.  How blessed we are. Again, thank you!

As I reflect upon all these developments, I am reminded of my late husband, Robert, who would have been so very proud of all that has happened.  His journey was a long one in his battle to fight this insidious disease but, even so, he took the time to say thank you and give back.  I cannot thank him enough for inspiring me daily and giving me the courage to carry on his battle, and the battle for so many who are walking this road.

The Bras Family Program, has established a website to keep its donors and prospective donors informed about the clinical phase I, II and III trials and the breakthroughs in cancer research that are taking place at Princess Margaret Hospital.  On this site, we will give you a look at our upcoming events, past events and other Bras family initiatives.  We will feature profiles of our dedicated medical oncologists, drug development fellows, clinical trial nurses, pharmacologists, and our data coordinators.  You will learn how a joint partnership is developing between Phase I, II and III team members and patients, who will bring new therapies to combat cancer.

I hope you enjoy our website and please remember to click onto the Princess Margaret Hospital logo on the left hand side of our home page for more information on the work we do.  I look forward to your continued support for this worthy cause – beating cancer!  Please feel free to contact me, Maggie Bras at maggiebras@gmail.com with your thoughts or questions, or just to say hi!  To make a donation to The Robert & Maggie Bras and Family New Drug Development Program, please contact Mr. Greg Lichti, Director, Major Gifts at Princess Margaret Hospital at 416.946.2168.

Sincerely,

Maggie Bras
President