About the Institute
The Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute (Charbonneau) is a community of researchers and educators dedicated to achieving a cancer-free future. Charbonneau is meeting the cancer challenge through discovery and innovation in basic and applied research. The Institute brings together scientists and physicians to integrate research and care across disciplines – from understanding and preventing cancer, to transforming its detection and treatment, to improving life with and after cancer. Our members include researchers at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine and Teaching Hospitals.
Charbonneau is one of seven health institutes at the University of Calgary. The institutes were established to ‘create the future of health’, and nowhere is this future more challenging than in cancer. Cancer has become the leading cause of death in Canada, eclipsing heart disease (30.2% vs. 19.7%), and the number of new cases in Canada is expected to increase by 40% over the next 15 years. To create a future without cancer, Charbonneau is supporting research that addresses the biological and therapeutic challenge of cancer, the population and public health challenge of cancer, and the personal, family, and societal challenge of cancer.
A Timeline of the Institute
Dive into ten years cancer research from 2014-2024 at the Charbonneau Cancer Institute.
The story behind the name
For more than two decades, researchers, clinicians, trainees, and staff in Calgary have been working together to meet the cancer challenge. A pivotal moment in our history took place in March 2014, when Mr. Arnold (Arnie) Charbonneau, a Calgary entrepreneur and philanthropist, donated significant funds to support the University of Calgary.
This generous contribution fueled the Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute's (SACRI) transformation into the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, setting the stage for a new era of innovation, collaboration, and meeting the cancer challenge. Since 2014, we have seen this gift transform cancer research in Calgary by enabling growth in size, scope, and impact.
The Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute has become a dynamic hub where scientists and clinicians converge to push boundaries. Our community of researchers and clinicians delve into many aspects of cancer research, including unraveling the mysteries of cancer biology, using big data to investigate and improve early detection methods, leveraging genomic knowledge for more precise treatment, and addressing the psychosocial and long-term effects of a cancer diagnosis.
As the cancer research engine of the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine and the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, the Charbonneau Institute takes pride in our role as designers of progress. In the face of cancer's rise as the leading cause of death in Canada, we stand resilient. The Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute envisions a future where our research not only transforms lives in Alberta but has a ripple effect beyond our borders.
Looking ahead, our vision is clear – moving closer to future less burdened by cancer. As we celebrate the accomplishments of the past decade, we eagerly anticipate the next chapter in our journey and meeting the cancer challenge – together.
You can change lives
As a donor, your gift will help improve the quality of cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship, through enhanced research and education in Calgary and beyond.
