OTTAWA, April 3, 2019 – Senator Judith Seidman, Senate Representative of the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus, will co-host with Research Canada and the Gairdner Foundation, a luncheon at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier (Ottawa) on April 3, 2019 in honour of two Canada Gairdner Awardees: Dr. Susan Band Horwitz, winner of the 2019 Canada Gairdner International Award and Dr. Connie Jean Eaves, winner of the 2019 Canada Gairdner Wightman Award.

Dr. Horwitz’s work has played a crucial role in the development of Taxol® for use in the clinic to treat ovarian, breast and lung cancer. Canada’s Dr. Eaves has helped to pioneer the study of hematopeoietic, mammary and cancer stem cells, and she has been a dedicated advocate for early-career investigators and women in science. The luncheon, which will bring together laureates, parliamentarians and other invited guests, will serve to promote Canada as a valuable contributor to international science and an exceptional place to do research.

Quote: Dr. Janet Rossant, President & Scientific Director, The Gairdner Foundation

“The Gairdner Foundation and Research Canada continue to work together towards our shared goal of strengthening the research community in Canada and inspiring the next generation of researchers and innovators. Through our partnership, we continue to elevate Canada on the world stage as a global leader in research.”

Quote: Dr. Robert McMaster, Chair, Research Canada

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Gairdner Foundation to bring such meaningful science to Ottawa and Canada. This year, we are proud to welcome our own Dr. Eaves, winner of the 2019 Canada Gairdner Wightman Award, as well as the United States’ Dr. Horwitz to meet with Parliamentarians in Ottawa. Along with the other laureates, they are outstanding examples of why research excellence matters. The Gairdner Foundation and its awards help demonstrate Canada’s leadership in health research to the world.”

The Gairdner Foundation was established in 1957 and is best known for its Canada Gairdner Awards. Since its founding, the Gairdner Foundation has awarded more than 387 prizes to laureates from over 35 countries (89 of whom have gone on to win receive Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine). Each year seven Canada Gairdner Awards are presented to honour the world’s most significant biomedical and global health researchers. These seven awards both distinguish Canada as a leader in science and elevate the profile of science in Canada. They are Canada’s only globally known and respected international science awards. All laureates are chosen by international adjudication committees.

The Gairdner Foundation promotes a stronger culture of research and innovation across the country through outreach programming including lectures and research symposia, bringing current and past laureates to universities across Canada to speak with faculty, trainees and high school students to inspire the next generation of researchers.

Research Canada is a national alliance dedicated to increasing investments in health research through collaborative advocacy and engaging government, academia, industry and the non-profit sector to build support for long-term health research funding. For more information, visit rc-rc.ca.

The Parliamentary Health Research Caucus is a non-partisan educational forum that hosts events on Parliament Hill to educate politicians on the social and economic benefits of Canadian health research and innovation, as well as to introduce them to the multi-sector partnerships among academic, private sector and health charity stakeholders essential to a robust health research enterprise and innovation system. The PHRC is chaired by Ms. Kim Rudd, MP (Northumberland–Peterborough South), with Vice-Chairs, Ms. Carol Hughes, MP (Algoma–Manitoulin–Kapuskasing) and Ms. Marilyn Gladu, MP (Sarnia-Lambton), and Senate Representative, The Honourable Judith Seidman.

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For further information:

Ms. Kelty Reid
Advisor, Communications & Fund Development
Gairdner Foundation
416-596-9993 ext. 206
kelty@gairdner.org
Full listing of Gairdner Events

Ms. Christie Tomkins
Manager of Policy and Public Affairs
Research Canada
613-234-5129
ctomkins@rc-rc.ca