Supported Initiatives

2020 | Clinical Trial Navigator  – $40,000

Dr. Caroline Hamm, Windsor Regional Hospital

• Supported 400+ patients in Essex County in accessing clinical trials.
• Leveraged $543,825 in additional funding, including national CIHR funding.
• Ongoing resource for patients and oncologists.

https://www.wesparkhealth.com/projects-7/barriers-to-cancer-patient-clinical-trial-enrollment-and-develop-interventional-education-program


2024–26 | Triple Negative Breast Cancer ‘fresh tissue’ Clinical Trial – $50,000/ yr for 3 years (Total of $150,000)

Dr. Lisa Porter, University of Windsor

• Multi-partner collaboration toward groundbreaking treatments; Terry Fox Foundation, Terry Fox Research Institute, Marathon of Hope Cancer Centre Network, Windsor Regional Hospital, University of Windsor, Transition to Betterness and the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation
• CRCF committed $50,000 annually for 3 years.
• Total project value $1 million.


2025 | Cancer Research Incentive Grant – Circadian Nutrition to Prevent Colorectal Cancer – $20,000

Dr. Philip Karpowicz, University of Windsor

• Colorectal cancer risk may be reduced by aligning eating patterns with circadian rhythms.
• Study uses mouse models to test how time-restricted feeding affects cancer pathways.
• Funding supports pilot work to strengthen a national grant on circadian-based prevention.

https://www.wesparkhealth.com/projects-302/circadian-nutrition-to-prevent-colorectal-cancer 


2025 | Cancer Research Incentive Grant – Dissecting the Biology of Disease Progression and Drug Resistance in Glioblastoma – $30,000

Dr. Lisa Porter, University of Windsor & 9 Collaborators

• GBM is the most aggressive adult brain cancer, driven by resistant glioma stem cells (GSCs).
• Project targets the CDK2–Spy1 pathway to study how GSCs adapt and survive treatment.
• Findings aim to overcome resistance and improve response to therapies.

https://www.wesparkhealth.com/projects-303/dissecting-the-biology-of-disease-progression-and-drug-resistance-in-glioblastoma 


2025 | Igniting Discovery Grant – New Detection Strategies For Post-partum Breast Cancer Based On Organic Mixed Ionic-electronic Conducting Polymers – $30,000

Dr. Simon Rondeau-Gagne, University of Windsor +5 Collaborators

• PPBC is an aggressive breast cancer subtype with poor outcomes and limited detection methods.
• The project develops polymer-based biosensors to detect cancer stem cells in breast milk.
• The non-invasive approach aims to improve early diagnosis and overcome imaging challenges.

https://www.wesparkhealth.com/projects-278/new-detection-strategies-for-post-partum-breast-cancer-based-on-organic-mixed-ionic-electronic-conducting-polymers


2025 | Clinical Trials Navigator MD Follow-up Program – $50,000

Dr. Caroline Hamm, Windsor Regional Hospital

• Cancer sequencing for patients with advanced cancers.
• Covers patient coordination otherwise impossible.
• Will lead to further support from the Marathon of Hope for an MD Follow Up program


2025 | Cancer Research Society, Cancer Research Collaboration Fund & WindsorEssex Community Foundation – $200,000 (Received $100,000 x2 in Match Funding)

• $100,000 matched funding partnership for 2 years
• Expands CRCF’s community impact.
• Builds future cancer research collaborations.
• Overall impact of $400,000; $200K from each organization

2025 Grant: $135,000* CRS Operating Grant:  Cancer immunoevasion via an inhibitory NK cell receptor; Dr. Rahim, University of Windsor *Equally funded by CRS and CRCF


2024–26 – $1,500/yr

St. Clair College Scholarship

• Annual scholarship award.
• Total awarded to date: $4,500.
• Supports cancer-focused students.


2024–26 – $3,000/yr

University of Windsor Research Excellence Award

• Supports cancer research excellence.
• Annual recognition award.
• Total awarded to date: $9,000.


2026–28 – $50,000 / yr for 3 years (Total of $150,000)

Cancer Research Program Lead

• $50,000 annually over 3 years.
• Supports leadership in cancer research growth.
• Will strengthen Windsor’s cancer research capacity.


Notable Partnerships


2024-2025 – Received $57,000 

Carson Woodall, Windsor Spitfire Player donates proceeds from merchandise sales

• Carson Woodall donated $57,000 through proceeds from his Woody’s Hoodies initiative.
• Funds were raised by creating and selling unique hoodie designs supporting cancer research.
• His efforts engaged the community, raised awareness, and inspired youth involvement in giving back.


2025 – Received $100,000 

U11 Lakeshore Lightning Girls Hockey Team Good Deeds Cup

• Community-driven fundraising effort.
• Awarded to CRCF for cancer research impact.
• One of CRCF’s largest community gifts.


Summary of Funding Commitments

YearAmountProjectNotes/Impact
202040,000Clinical Trial NavigatorHelped 400+ patients; leveraged $543,825 additional funding
2024–26$150,000Triple Negative Breast Cancer Clinical Trial$1M project; multi-partner collaboration
2025$20,000Cancer Research Incentive GrantSupports CIHR scholars; colorectal cancer research
2025$30,000Cancer Research Incentive GrantDisease progression and Drug Resistance in Glioblastoma
2025$30,000Igniting Discovery GrantDetection strategy in Post-Partum Breast Cancer
2025$50,000Cancer sequencing access for Windsor patientsWill lead to MOH MD follow up program support
2025-26$200,000Matching Grant with CRS & WECFExpands CRCF’s funding partnerships
2024-26$4500St. Clair College ScholarshipAnnual award; total to date
2024-26$9000University of Windsor AwardAnnual award; total to date
2025-26$150,000Cancer Research Program LeadSupports leadership in cancer research


Total Amount Committed: $683,500