Canada walks for Bladder Cancer is less than two months away! We are looking forward to walking alongside our amazing community and taking this time to reflect on the significance of our our annual walk.
Why I Walk: Jack Moon, Co-Founder
In 2021, Bladder Cancer Canada co-founder Jack Moon shared his reason for walking, and it's still a wonderful reminder today:

“I’m Jack Moon, a survivor of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and co-founder of Bladder Cancer Canada. Years ago, there was very little support for patients diagnosed with bladder cancer across Canada. David Guttman and I worked together to change that and eventually, we started the very first annual awareness walk.”
Bladder Cancer Canada's Co-Founders, Jack Moon (Right) and David Gutman (Left), alongside Bladder Cancer Canada's National Development Manager, Shasa Boshoff (Center) at Canada Walks for Bladder Cancer Toronto 2022.
“Many years later, I’m still walking for Bladder Cancer Canada. I walk because I believe that patient support is critical in the road to recovery. Through our peer support network and online programs like our discussion forum, support groups, and webinars, we’re able to support bladder cancer patients during a difficult time in their lives. And because we raise money with our awareness walk, these programs are FREE to anyone that needs them.”

With your support of this year’s walk, programs and services will remain FREE to the 80,000 Canadians currently living with a bladder cancer diagnosis and the 12,500 individuals that will be diagnosed this year.
Boost Your Impact and Win 2 round trip flight tickets to anywhere in North America*!

We are very excited to announce the 2023 Boost Your Impact Campaign!

Until September 24, 2023, Boost Your Impact and support those living with bladder cancer.
Boost your impact today and have your name entered to win 2 round trip tickets from Air Canada to anywhere in North America, including Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean. *

HOW TO EARN AN ENTRY
Participants will receive 1 entry for every $300 raised towards their personal fundraising goal, with the official winner being announced Monday, September 25, 2023.
 
Boost your impact today and help create a world where bladder cancer is just a memory. 

*Travel must be completed by May 31, 2024. Please note that blackout periods may apply. For full terms and conditions, contact walk@bladdercancercanada.org.
EMD Serono Becomes Title Sponsor for Canada Walks for Bladder Cancer 2023
We are thrilled to announce that EMD Serono, has signed on as our title sponsor for Canada Walks for Bladder Cancer! Their partnership will amplify our impact, as we work together to raise funds and create a brighter future for those affected by bladder cancer Join us as we walk hand in hand, making a real difference in our communities!

"We are proud to support Canada’s patient and caregiver community, and the work of groups like Bladder Cancer Canada who continues advocating tirelessly for them.
Our pursuit of innovation is driven by our aspiration to help create, improve and prolong the lives of Canadians."
- Sally Chen, Patient Access and Government Affairs Manager at EMD Serono
During the event we were able to present the Excellence in Community and Leadership to Alain Bergeron, pictured here with Farihah Islam
Bladder Cancer Canada Participated in the annual Canadian Urological Association (CUA) Conference

Michelle Colero, Executive Director, and Farihah Islam, Quebec Program Coordinator, attended the annual conference, held in Montreal this year. In addition to hosting a booth at the event, they attended many innovative seminars on new research in the field, including the role of AI on future cystoscopies.  
Important research grants were awarded at the Canadian Urological Association AGM held in Montreal this past June
Congratulations to the six research grants awarded at the Canadian Urological Association AGM in Montreal this past June.
 
Bladder Cancer Canada is proud to be able to fund two-thirds of these awards together with the funding from Canadian Urological Association Scholarship Foundation. Bladder Cancer Canada provided oversight through its Medical Advisory Board.
 
Thank you to our amazing donors who helped us to provide over $200,000 in bladder cancer research.
Medical Advisory Board Meeting
During the CUA conference, our Medical Advisory Board (MAB) held their annual meeting. New initiatives and an overview of the anonymous data captured on the Canadian Bladder Cancer Information System (CBCIS) was presented.  
Obesity and Complication Risk From Radical Cystectomy: Identifying a Body Mass Index Threshold

Article in J. Urol.:
McLoughlin, L. C., Kassouf, W., Breau, R. H., Fairey, A., Agnihotram V, R., Salimi, A., ... & Kulkarni, G. S. (2023). Obesity and Complication Risk From Radical Cystectomy: Identifying a Body Mass Index Threshold. The Journal of Urology, 209(1), 111-120.

Highlight:
 
Obesity is one of the main risk factors for complications arising during radical cystectomy surgery. A recent analysis of almost 600 bladder cancer patients, divided according to Body Mass Index (BMI), found that patients who were overweight (BMI of 25 to 30 kg/m2) or obese (BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher) were at increased risk of surgical complications compared to patients with a healthy BMI (18.5 to 25 kg/m2). Importantly, there was a steady increase in predicted complication risk for patients above a BMI of 34 kg/m2, suggesting a threshold at which preoperative measures such as weight loss regimens could be beneficial for reducing the likelihood of obesity-related complications.
Introducing Two New Bladder Cancer Support Groups!
We are pleased to announce, this Fall we will be launching two new virtual support groups! 
  • Metastatic Bladder Cancer Support Group 
  • Maritimes Bladder Cancer Support Group 
 
If you would like to join one of these groups, please email: info@bladdercancercanada.org.
World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition Patient & Carer Survey

Our partners at the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition have recently launched the report of their very first Bladder Cancer Patient & Carer survey.

This multi-year and multi-national evidence-generation study covers the entire bladder cancer patient experience – from disease awareness, diagnosis, treatment and care, follow-up, life with and after cancer, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition’s Patient & Carer Survey collected responses from 1198 people from 45 countries. It was available in 11 languages, and the survey ran from October 2021 to February 2022. 
For upcoming events, webinars, support group meetings and more, visit our Events Page
Tell Us About Your Community Innitiatives

Keep Bladder Cancer Canada staff up to date with the events and initiatives you host in your community to raise awareness of bladder cancer! 
Meet Aaron
Volunteer Role: Data Entry Volunteer 

Fun Fact: Last year I decided to move to Nova Scotia on a whim and have not looked back. However, I did regret driving 17 hrs straight.  
Passion Towards Volunteering for BCC: Has provided an opportunity to give back to such a resilient community and make a difference in the lives of those affected.  
  • One to One Peer Support Volunteer (especially female with ileal conduit) 

  • Community Engagement Volunteer (to host an awareness table in Toronto) 

  • Event Day Volunteers (to help at Canada Walks for Bladder Cancer - Sept 23 & 24, 2023) 

  • Short Term Projects – Media Contact List, Data Entry and/or Blog Creation
Welcome to:

Tim Cheung
Seren Acikalin
If you're interested in volunteering, contact Theresa to learn more.
Make a Difference Monthly

By turning your one-time donation into a monthly pledge, you can make a significant impact in the lives of bladder cancer patients across Canada. Your monthly donation will support patient programing, help raise awareness and fund innovative, life-saving research.
In our latest Fundraising Highlight, we would like to recognize Rachelle, and her grandkids, for their remarkable efforts. Rachelle dedicated her time and skills to hand-knit and sell dish rags, and raised over $200 for Bladder Cancer Canada! Thank you to Rachelle and her team for their outstanding contribution!
To find out how you can host your own fundraising event in support of Bladder Cancer Canada, visit our Host a Fundraiser page, or contact our team for more information!
Your Voice Matters: Share Your Inspiring Journey
If you would be interested in sharing your personal experiences and story with the Bladder Cancer Community please contact info@bladdercancercanada.org
Seeking Bladder Cancer Patients for New Study

Our American partners at BCAN are looking for input from Canadian patients. If you have been diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, you are invited to take part in a patient study.

The purpose of this study is to help doctors better understand the experience of patients who have been diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
If you would be interested in learning more about this or other studies and/ or want to share your story with other bladder cancer patients, please click HERE. 
Thank You to Interested Participants
We'd like to thank all who have reached out to Bladder Cancer Canada to participate in patient studies. We are thrilled to continue to collaborate with our Medical Advisory Board and researchers to support and work together on upcoming projects. Stay tuned as we provide regular updates on the available studies and opportunities to get involved.
Follow us online
Please join us on social media where we’ll be sharing updates and photos from our bladder cancer community. These social media sites are a great resource for patients, survivors, and caregivers.
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