Embracing Togetherness: Extending Our Gratitude

The Canada Walks for Bladder Cancer 2023 season has drawn to a close, and we can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the incredible community that came together. THANK YOU to each one of you who played a role in making this event a success.

  • Volunteers: Your dedication, selflessness, and hard work were the backbone of our walks.
  • Participants: Thank you for your enthusiasm and for walking in solidarity with those affected by bladder cancer.
  • Donors: Every dollar raised takes us one step closer to a cure and better support for patients and their families.
  • Fundraisers: Your creative initiatives and passion for our cause were inspiring.
  • Sponsors: Your contributions allowed us to organize and host these events across the country, bringing our community together.
  • Walk Leads: Your leadership and tireless efforts to plan and host 17 walks across Canada were nothing short of remarkable. You were the guiding force that ensured these events ran smoothly and were memorable for all.

This year's Canada Walks for Bladder Cancer was more than just a series of events; it was a collective effort that brought the bladder cancer community together from coast, to coast to coast. It showcased the strength and unity of our community, reminding us that we are working to create a world where bladder cancer is just a memory.

Thank you for your support, your commitment, and for being a part of this incredible event. Together, we are making a difference and raising awareness for bladder cancer across Canada. We look forward to walking with you in 2024!
Join Us for the 2023 Walk Wrap-Up Party
Mark your calendar and get ready to join in the festivities!

It's a virtual celebration where we'll applaud the remarkable contributions of walk participants – from patients and caregivers to survivors, fundraisers, volunteers, sponsors, and beyond.
Hear touching patient and caregiver stories, see heartwarming photos from walks across the country, and hear from our valued sponsors, donors, cherished media partners, as well as medical professionals, the dedicated Bladder Cancer Canada staff and board members who drive our mission forward.

Join us for an evening filled with celebration, recognition, exciting awards, inspiring speakers, and more. Secure your spot by RSVPing today!
New Prairies Bladder Cancer Support Group
We are pleased to announce this November we will be launching a virtual support group aimed at supporting the bladder cancer community in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Prairies Support Group 
If you would like to join one of these groups, please email: info@bladdercancercanada.org
Bladder Cancer Forum 2023
We were thrilled to announce that our Executive Director, Michelle Colero, had the honor of speaking at #BladderCancerForum23 in Madrid, Spain on October 19th. She shared key insights from the WBCPC Global Bladder Cancer and Carer Experience Survey, highlighting the vital area of supportive and complimentary care needs. This survey represented a milestone in understanding the challenges faced by individuals dealing with bladder cancer and their devoted caregivers. Stay tuned for updates from this year's forum.
Enfortumab Vedotin With or Without Pembrolizumab in Cisplatin-Ineligible Patients With Previously Untreated Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Cancer

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC). Unfortunately, around half of all patients are ineligible for this therapy because of one or more comorbidities (e.g., impaired renal function), and thus there is a need for other efficacious and tolerable first-line treatments. One therapeutic strategy that has gained attention is to combine an antibody-drug conjugate such as enfortumab vedotin (EV) with an anti-PD-1 antibody such as pembrolizumab (Pembro); these drugs, individually, have shown moderate effectiveness as second-line treatments in improving overall survival (OS) in patients with la/mUC, but preclinical data suggests that when used in combination, their antitumour activity can be enhanced, thereby significantly improving their efficacy as a first-line treatment. In a recent clinical trial comparing EV + Pembro combination therapy vs. EV monotherapy in terms of response and safety profiles in la/mUC patients, researchers found that the confirmed objective response rate (cORR) was 64.5% for 76 patients treated with EV + Pembro, and 45.2% for 72 patients treated with EV monotherapy. Furthermore, 65.4% of patients who responded to the combination therapy, and 56.3% of monotherapy-responsive patients, maintained a response at 12 months. Adverse events/reactions in the EV + Pembro group were slightly increased, but still manageable, compared to the EV monotherapy group, and no new safety signals/concerns were observed. Altogether, these results are encouraging for continuing investigations into improving the efficacy and safety of EV and Pembro combination therapy as an alternative first-line treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
In-Person Patient Education Meeting in Montreal, QC - November 18, 2023

We are thrilled to be hosting a Patient Education Meeting in Montreal on November 18. The event will be held at Hotel Ruby Foos (7655 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H4P 2H2) 
 
The morning includes presentations in French and English by: 
  • Dr. Paul Toren, MD, FRCSC 
  • Dr. Wassim Kassouf, MD, CM, FRCSC
Refreshments and a light lunch will be served. 
We hope to see you there! Please register in advance using the button below: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E341575QE&id=38
Clincial Trials Demystified
Join us for an enlightening and informative webinar, "Clinical Trials Demystified." Hosted by Dr. Peter Black and featuring a patient's perspective, this webinar will unveil the inner workings of clinical trials. You'll gain insights into the patient's role, what to expect when participating, and the crucial impact of trials on advancing treatments and research.
Sexual Health During and After Bladder Cancer Treatments: The Female Perspective 
 Dr. Andrea Kokorovic, MD, FRCSC
 
We will discuss the effect of bladder cancer treatments, including BCG and radical cystectomy, on the sexual health of women living with bladder cancer.
The goal is to educate women on the possible treatment side effects and to discuss ways to help improve sexual health. 
For upcoming events, webinars, support group meetings and more, visit our Events Page
Seeking Bladder Cancer Patients for New Study
Patients with Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
We invite you to participate in a valuable research study focused on Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) education, led by Dr. Jacqueline Galica at Queen’s University.
This study aims to enhance our understanding of what people diagnosed with NMIBC know about their diagnosis and their perceptions about NMIBC pathology. We hope you can share your perspectives as someone diagnosed with NMIBC to maximize our learning from this project. If you’d like to learn more, please follow this link: https://queensu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bykOkHGalKbnruK
Meet Clarence

Volunteer Role: Peer Support & Special Projects

Fun Fact: I have been fortunate to do a fair amount of travel before and after my bladder cancer surgery. During a jeep tour in Wadi Rum, Jordan, I found myself in the desert with no restroom nearby. A fellow traveler my age approached, looking for a restroom as well, exclaiming that he needed to empty his urostomy bag!
So, we both used the vast amount of sand to take care of business. It was reassuring to know that bladder cancer is not an isolated disease and that life goes on, albeit with changes.

Passion Towards Volunteering for BCC: I am a Peer Support Volunteer so that I can share with those hearing the very scary “you have cancer” statement my story, and the story of Bladder Cancer Canada. We let them know they are not alone and there are many resources to help them. Sometimes just sharing is enough to brighten a day. When we share the moments of our fears and our hope, it makes my day better. Volunteering has a way of helping you as much or more than any other single thing you can do.
If you're interested in volunteering, contact Theresa to learn more.
Welcome to:
Najifah Tasnim,
Crystal Chen,
Gina Patzer,
Franly Dania 
The annual BCC Volunteer Award window is open! 
Do you know a volunteer or volunteer group who has gone over and beyond to support the bladder cancer community, plan a Canada Walks for Bladder Cancer event or assist the BCC staff with research, projects or admin?  
 
Nominate them for a BCC Award! The window will be open until November 30th.

More details can be found here.
2023 Founders Award Recipient: Ferg Devins
Congratulations to Ferg Devins, who was presented with the Founders' Award at this year's Toronto walk!  Ferg's visionary and passionate contributions to multiple program areas and on a national level have left an indelible mark on Bladder Cancer Canada's mission.
This award, presented by one of our founders, David Guttman, is a testament to Ferg's outstanding commitment and dedication to our cause. Congratulations, Ferg!
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