A CANCER JOURNEY

A journey through two cancers and the BRCA gene mutation

Published: February 2025

When Jennifer Hollington was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she didn’t see it coming. This shocking news started her down a path she never imagined, including two more significant medical developments: the discovery she had the BRCA gene mutation, and a skin cancer diagnosis.

While well-versed in the healthcare sphere because of her job with Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, Jen wasn’t prepared for the health crisis she faced in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. However, she was introduced to a large multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals at The Ottawa Hospital, who helped guide her through this cancer journey.

It was late July 2020 when Jen woke up in the middle of the night with intense pain in her side. After a call to Telehealth Ontario, she went to a local Emergency Department, where blood work and an ultrasound revealed the shocking news — Jen’s tests pointed to a likely diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

“It was a scary and unexpected diagnosis. I came to terms with it only after repeating it many times to family, friends, and co-workers,” she explains.

A stage 3 ovarian cancer diagnosis

By early August, Jen took a leave from her job as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Communications for Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Not long after that, she met Dr. Wylam Faught, head of the division of gynecologic oncology based at the Shirley E. Greenberg Women’s Health Centre at the Riverside Campus.

“He sees you as a person, not simply as a patient who is on a long list of patients.”

— Jen Hollington

Dr. Faught took time to walk Jen through what her journey might look like with what he suspected was stage 3 ovarian cancer. “We’re pretty realistic when meeting with a patient who faces this diagnosis. We try to start into the treatment journey with the patient’s eyes wide open — every patient is different.”

Jen receiving care

For Jen, this approach was exactly what she needed. “Dr. Faught was very empathic, but also realistic about the challenges of ovarian cancer, which I appreciated. He sees you as a person, not simply as a patient who is on a long list of patients. It was comforting to know that we were moving forward, but it was also scary.”

The impact of research on patients facing ovarian cancer

In 2024, an estimated 3,000 Canadian women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The disease impacts women of all ages, but it’s more common in women who have gone through menopause. Sadly, the current five-year survival rate is only 45%, and that’s why research at all levels plays a critical role in advancing new treatment options.

Researchers like Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden and her team at the Vanderhyden laboratory at The Ottawa Hospital are dedicated to studying this disease.

Testing shows the BRCA2 gene mutation

In late August, Jen underwent surgery to remove her uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, followed by six rounds of chemotherapy. Her gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Tien Le, was able to remove most of the visible cancer. The final pathology report confirmed Jen had stage 3 high-grade serous carcinoma arising from her ovary. Luckily, this meant there were very good initial treatment options to manage her cancer.

“Dr. Le told me they are increasingly looking at ovarian cancer as a chronic disease, to keep people living longer and longer. I found this especially encouraging,” says Jen.

That pathology report also indicated her ovarian tumour cells carried the BRCA2 gene mutation. Genetic testing was suggested to see if she was a carrier of the gene change. This would have further impact on immediate family members and direct further treatment for the patient.

All humans have the BRCA genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2). You inherit one from each of your parents, and if one parent has a mutation, there is a 50% chance you will inherit it. These genetic mutations are known to predispose carriers to develop hereditary breast and ovarian cancers, among other cancers.

“Patients with this mutation tend to have a much better prognosis than someone who is not a carrier of the gene change, because there are more treatment options, and the patient is more responsive to chemotherapy. It was positive news overall.”

— Dr. Wylam Faught

By the spring of 2021, genetic test results showed Jen had a mutation in her BRCA2 gene, which subsequent testing revealed she had inherited from her father. This presented another medical hurdle, namely a significant risk of developing breast and other cancers.

While the news was initially alarming to Jen, Dr. Faught explained it offered hope. “Patients with this mutation tend to have a much better prognosis than someone who is not a carrier of the gene change, because there are more treatment options, and the patient is more responsive to chemotherapy. It was positive news overall.”

Once her chemotherapy was complete, Jen was eligible for an effective new class of oral medication known as PARP inhibitors called Olaparib. “It’s only been in the last handful of years that this group of patients with the BRCA gene mutation have benefitted from this new drug, which in some cases has the potential for putting them into remission. So, within her diagnosis of ovarian cancer, there was this silver lining,” explains Dr. Faught.

Jen with her husband and two children

Optimizing her chances for the future

With the results of the genetic testing placing Jen at a higher risk of breast cancer, Dr. Le referred her to Dr. Erin Cordeiro, a breast surgical oncologist at The Ottawa Hospital.

“Dr. Cordeiro was clear, respectful, and kind as she answered all my questions and provided the detailed information I needed to make my final decision on one of two options,” says Jen.

Those options included continuing with annual mammograms and breast MRIs through Ontario’s high-risk screening program or having a preventive bilateral mastectomy. Armed with plenty of statistics, like how preventive surgery would reduce her risk of developing breast cancer by 95%, Jen considered the options.

“I pretty much knew right then and there, surgery was the best option for me. I was so reassured by the call with Dr. Cordeiro. I came away knowing so much more about my options as well as their advantages and disadvantages.”

Her next step was to meet with a plastic surgeon, because as Dr. Cordeiro explained it, she would remove the breast tissue and the plastic surgeon would reconstruct the breasts during the same surgery.

Then another cancer diagnosis

Shortly before the appointments relating to her mastectomy, Jen inquired with her family doctor about an itchy patch of skin near her anus that had persisted for a few years but seemed harmless enough. In September 2021, she met with a dermatologist, who did a biopsy. “He mentioned the possibility of cancer. I thought ‘Good grief, as if I need more cancer in my life.’”

Within days, the news was confirmed, Jen had a second cancer — anal margin squamous cell carcinoma — perianal skin cancer. This news introduced her to a whole new cancer team at our hospital who rallied around her.

Colorectal surgeon Dr. Robin Boushey removed an almost one-centimeter tumour. When the post-surgery pathology report indicated that pre-cancerous cells remained in the margins, Dr. Boushey referred Jen to radiation oncologist Dr. Jenny Jin.

“The pathology showed there were precancerous tumours along the cut edge of the tumour. We knew that she would have quite a high risk of local recurrence if there was no further treatment,” explains Dr. Jin.

“There’s been no evidence of any recurrence, and soon she’ll be three years out. The highest rates of recurrence are in the first two years, and so her chances are getting better.”

— Dr. Jenny Jin

Another surgery was possible, but that brought some risks and could impact Jen’s quality of life. “If she were to have more resected, it would mean that she’d likely end up with a permanent ostomy pouch for bowel movements, so we went with an organ preservation approach,” explains Dr. Jin.

By February 2022, Jen finished 25 treatments of radiation. “She’s done very well ever since. There’s been no evidence of any recurrence, and soon she’ll be three years out. The highest rates of recurrence are in the first two years, and so her chances are getting better,” says Dr. Jin.

For Jen, it was another big hurdle she’d overcome.

Jen and Nurse Hillary ringing the radiation bell at Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre
Jen ringing the bell at The Ottawa Hospital

The overarching support along the way

One thing that stands out to Jen along this journey has been the many multi-disciplinary teams who cared for her, including many nurses and allied health professionals. One in particular had a huge impact. Jacinthe Lepage has been a nurse at The Ottawa Hospital for over 30 years, and she’s spent most of her career working in gynecology oncology.

More recently, her role has evolved to include a first-of-its-kind nurse-led PARP inhibitor clinic at our hospital’s Cancer Centre.

“The clinic first opened in March 2023 and there’s no other clinic like it – anywhere in Canada,” explains Jacinthe. “There’s a lot of monitoring and calls when somebody is on this drug, so I’m the nurse that’s there for those patients.”

It’s this experience, compassion, and candor that Jacinthe brings to patients that resonated with Jen. “Jacinthe is fabulous, and she’s been with me through this whole experience. A voice of comfort and reason when I have questions. She’s always there.”

Jacinthe Lepage, clinical oncology nurse

“I don’t see the cancer when I talk to them, because I know that they don’t want to be identified as that. To me, it’s very important to treat the person behind all this.”

— Jacinthe Lepage

For Jacinthe, it’s a special role that she takes very seriously, and it’s different for each person. “We treat the cancer, but I see the person behind all this. I don’t see the cancer when I talk to them, because I know that they don’t want to be identified as that. To me, it’s very important to treat the person behind all this.”

As she explains, they need to be able to open up and ask any questions. “I know some are afraid to ask questions about death and dying, about prognosis and all that, but I always tell myself, if they have the guts to ask, I can’t hide anything. When they ask, it’s because they are ready for the answer.”

Hope for patients in the future facing an ovarian cancer diagnosis

Four-and-a-half-years after this cancer journey started, Jen remains cancer-free. There have been some bumps in the road, including with her breast reconstruction surgery — a process that continues. She’s even offered hope and guidance to others through the blog she started, Jenesis, which has also been therapeutic for her.

“At this point, with no evidence of disease, the risk of recurrence is quite low. Dr. Faught estimated my risk of recurrence to be less than 10%. I almost cried when he said that.”

— Jen Hollington

In November 2024, she reached a significant milestone when doctors recommended she come off the PARP inhibitor drug, which suppresses the growth of cancerous ovarian tumours. “There’s no evidence that staying on the drug would have a long-term benefit beyond two years,” explains Dr. Faught.

It was a challenging decision for Jen, as there was comfort in knowing she was taking this drug and doing well. “At this point, with no evidence of disease, the risk of recurrence is quite low. Dr. Faught estimated my risk of recurrence to be less than 10%. I almost cried when he said that, remembering that he had told me in August 2020 that the risk of recurrence in ovarian cancer is about 80%,” shares Jen.

According to Dr. Le, there is new hope on the horizon for patients with ovarian cancers. “We are embarking on a new program at The Ottawa Hospital to advance the care and improve survivals for ovarian cancer patients in the form of HIPEC treatment. This involves administering heated chemotherapy solution right into the abdominal cavity at the time of surgery for their cancers. This strategy has been shown to significantly improve the survival for patients with ovarian cancer in selected cases.”

While more and more centres are adopting this therapy, The Ottawa Hospital would be only the second hospital in Ontario to provide it to patients. It’s new advancements like this one that give patients like Jen hope for more effective treatment options and better survival.

As Jen moves forward, she embraces parts of life that she may not have noticed before. “Special moments that once may have seemed mundane have become clearer and brighter as I live each day, grateful that I am still here.”

Published: January 2025

Dr. Helen Tang is a dynamic and multifaceted leader whose passion for community and philanthropy is at the heart of everything she does. As a devoted mother of two and the successful leader of her own real estate company and foundation, Helen consistently focuses on the spirit of giving.  

“Drops of water make the sea,” she often says, reflecting her belief in the power of collective action. With a deep commitment to supporting the Chinese and other diverse communities in Ottawa, she actively looks for innovative ways to make a lasting impact. Whether through professional accomplishments, leading events, or personal initiatives, her passion for fostering philanthropy and driving positive change is felt across the entire community. 

A legacy of giving 

When her father, a retired university professor, was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a condition that impairs the bone marrow’s ability to produce enough blood cells, he relied on tri-weekly visits to both The Ottawa Hospital’s General and Civic campuses for treatment. The treatment required him and his family members to spend many long hours at our hospital. 

“My father taught me from a very young age to care, give, and serve your community, that’s how he lived his life, and I have always wanted to live my life that way.” 

— Dr. Helen Tang

But during that challenging time, Helen’s father received exceptional care through expert treatment and compassionate support, and the team’s unwavering commitment to his well-being left a profound impact on Helen and her family. Inspired by the positive difference it had made in her life, Helen decided it was time to give back. She became a blood donor and decided to get involved with the hospital’s Campaign to Create Tomorrow, eager to help ensure others would benefit from the same exceptional care.  

“My father taught me from a very young age to care, give, and serve your community, that’s how he lived his life, and I have always wanted to live my life that way.” 

Dr. Helen Tang and her father
Dr. Helen Tang donating blood

Joining the Campaign to Create Tomorrow 

In 2024, Helen embraced the role of Campaign Cabinet member, expanding her influence and passion for community service to a broader, more impactful level. Driven by a deep sense of gratitude, she is more committed than ever to giving back. 

“The hospital has done so much for me, and I felt a responsibility to support this campaign,” says Helen. “My hope is to inspire other local business leaders to get involved — together, we are stronger.”  

“I believe helping others is the key to true happiness. Joining the campaign as a cabinet member is my commitment to this belief.”

— Dr. Helen Tang

Through her leadership and dedication, she hopes to ignite a collective effort that will create a meaningful, lasting impact on healthcare in Ottawa and make a difference for generations to come. 

“I believe helping others is the key to true happiness. Joining the campaign as a cabinet member is my commitment to this belief,” says Helen. “I am very grateful for the help I have received along my journey, and this is my chance to give back, uplift our community, and work together to create a brighter, healthier future for everyone. ” 

Forging a path of impact 

Helen’s journey is truly one of resilience and transformation. Originally from China, she moved to Canada in 1996. She earned a PhD in electrical engineering from Carleton University and worked nearly two decades as a scientist for the federal government. At 43, she discovered a passion for helping others build wealth through real estate. Taking a bold leap of faith, she founded Helen Tang (HT) Realty

For the past 11 years, Helen has led her company with remarkable success, ranking in the top 1% in Ottawa and top 5 in KW (Keller Williams) Canada. However, her impact doesn’t end there. She actively volunteers as board member for non-profit organizations such as WeWorkingWomen.com, Elevate International, and the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival. Her leadership and dedication to service have earned her numerous accolades, including the “Outstanding Community Contribution Award” and the “Immigrant Entrepreneur Award” from the City of Ottawa.   

Dr. Helen Tang receiving the Immigrant Entrepreneur Award from the City of Ottawa.

She also founded the HT Foundation — a charitable arm of HTRealty, with a mission to drive change and support Ottawa’s diverse communities. The foundation was created to use the power of philanthropy to foster connections and inspire business leaders to get involved in the community. By championing initiatives that promote inclusivity and accessibility, she’s not just building a business — she’s shaping a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

“Philanthropy comes in many forms. It can be money, time, acts of kindness, or an idea. We all have something in us to give, nothing is ever too small.” 

— Dr. Helen Tang

This past November, the HT Foundation organized and hosted the Stronger Together Charity Gala, to raise funds and awareness for the Campaign to Create Tomorrow. The gala was a huge success, bringing together diverse communities to rally behind a shared vision of better healthcare for all and raising more than $15,000 in support of The Ottawa Hospital. 

 “Philanthropy comes in many forms. It can be money, time, acts of kindness, or an idea. We all have something in us to give, nothing is ever too small.” 

Through her unwavering dedication to service, Helen exemplifies how leadership can be a force for good. Her remarkable journey, from scientist to entrepreneur to philanthropist, has left an indelible mark on Ottawa. As a driving force behind the Campaign to Create Tomorrow, she is building a legacy of inclusivity, hope, and transformation.  

Published: January 2025

In 2022, as the city began to recover from the global pandemic, Nick Kerr was managing clinical support at a long-term care home. After two years of navigating uncertainty on the front lines, he felt a powerful urge to set a new, ambitious goal for himself — enter marathon running.

Nick set a bold goal to run the virtual marathon at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend (TORW) that year. That one successful race was enough to spark his passion, propelling him to take on more marathons, triathlons, several Ironmans — he even competed in the Hawaii Ironman World Championships in 2022. Simply put, Nick is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to crushing goals.

During this year’s TORW on May 24-25, 2025, he’s taking the challenge to the next level and leading a fundraising team of fellow colleagues to tackle various distances in support of the Campaign to Create Tomorrow.

TORW offers an incredible range of six different distances, ensuring that every participant can find a challenge that speaks to their heart. Whether you’re ready to push yourself through a multi-day journey or simply take a meaningful step with a 2KM walk, there’s a place for every fundraiser on teams like Nick’s. These fundraising teams are a powerful force, uniting people who are driven by a deep passion for a cause that means everything to them.

Nick Kerr

For Nick, it’s not just about completing a challenge — it’s about honouring something he holds close and giving everything he has to make a difference. Whether you walk, run, or roll, you’ll be part of an incredible journey, united with others to make a powerful impact in our community!

An athlete in the hallways at The Ottawa Hospital.

While Nick’s fitness journey is truly inspiring, his experience at The Ottawa Hospital has been just as remarkable and fulfilling.

Nick joined the hospital in 2011 as a clerk on an inpatient unit while studying at university. He developed an interest in healthcare administration and decided to pursue his Master of Health Administration (MHA). While completing his master’s, he became the assistant manager on the orthopaedics unit.

During the pandemic, he was fortunate to be part of the TOH leadership team, stepping in to support long-term care as the hospital responded to the urgent needs of some of the most vulnerable areas in our community, including care homes. In the years that followed, Nick gained experience in various areas of the hospital, from Admitting/Patient Flow to the Medical Day Care unit to Cancer and Medicine Programs.

Nick Kerr at The Ottawa Hospital.

And he clearly holds his past 14 years at our hospital very close to his heart.

“The Ottawa Hospital has always been an important part of my personal and professional development. Even when I worked with other healthcare groups, I ended up coming back, and that outside experience has given me a bigger appreciation for TOH and the people who work here.”

In 2025, it’s more than just a race.

Fueled by his excitement for the new hospital campus, Nick is emphasizing the significance of both community support and the active involvement of the staff, who work in the hospital daily. He is determined to build a fundraising team of colleagues to collectively make a meaningful impact on the Campaign to Create Tomorrow.

Nick Kerr

“The new campus gives you a certain sense of excitement. Excitement to see what the different spaces will look like, to understand how this will change healthcare in Ottawa — it’s where many of us will go to work every day. That’s where many of us will spend our time caring for our patients and our loved ones. It’s a generational thing to see a hospital be built.”

Nick recognizes the critical role fundraising events play in supporting projects like the new hospital, which will enhance patient and family care, shorten hospital stays, and improve the overall patient experience — benefits he will see firsthand.

“It’s important for the community that we (TOH) do things right. We want to make sure we can maximize every dollar and make sure we have a place and a building that were proud of.”

Setting goals and embracing challenges

Nick thrives on setting goals and embracing challenges with enthusiasm. He continually pursues new achievements in both his fitness journey and professional career, believing that his ability to adapt to challenges, like the global pandemic, has been key to his success.

Interestingly, what he cherishes most about racing isn’t the exciting energy at the starting line — an experience he values deeply — or the celebrations that follow crossing the finish line. Instead, it’s the joy of training alongside friends and fellow runners, united in pursuit of a common goal.

“It’s the building blocks. It’s knowing that we’re building towards something, and that journey is always super intriguing to me. Obviously throughout that journey you develop friends and relationships, and yes, you do struggle, but I think the struggle is what makes it all the more worthwhile in the end — when you’re able to achieve the goal that you set out,” Nick strongly states.

It’s people like Nick who are integral to ensuring the success of the Campaign to Create Tomorrow and helping reshape the future of healthcare in our region.

Among the hundreds of birth announcements in the Ottawa Citizen over the years mentioning Dr. Manuel “Manny” Gluck as the delivering doctor, two are of particular note and significance, especially today: Justin Trudeau and Alexandre “Sacha” Trudeau, born on Christmas Day in 1971 and 1973 respectively. What are the odds?

Both boys were delivered by Dr. Gluck, a prominent Ottawa obstetrician and gynaecologist, who worked out of the Ottawa Civic Hospital. Dr. Gluck, who was the family doctor for the Trudeau family, passed away in 2023, but after almost two decades at the Civic, his memory and his impact lives on for countless families.

“He was really proud to be a doctor and really proud to bring babies into this world,” says his wife, Cheryle Hothersall-Gluck. “To hold a newborn in his arms, to deliver life, well, that meant everything to him.”

Dr. Gluck was also instrumental in helping shift societal norms surrounding childbirth, championing the idea that fathers should be encouraged to be in the delivery room. This paved the way for many families to embrace this precious moment together.

Known by so many patients for his kindness and remarkable ability to listen with deep compassion, it’s interesting to note that medicine wasn’t Dr. Gluck’s first choice. He started his professional career as a biochemist with the Department of Agriculture before graduating with a medical degree from the University of Ottawa in 1956. He worked at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York City and Jewish General Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital in Montreal before returning to his hometown of Ottawa and becoming an integral part of the very fabric of the Civic.

As for his relationship with the Trudeaus, Mrs. Hothersall-Gluck says her husband was rather nonchalant about that.  

Cheryle Hothersall-Gluck and Dr. Manuel (Manny) Gluck

“Well, I heard that Margaret really liked him, and Pierre did too,” she recalls, “and so it just came about that he continued to deliver their babies!”

Dr. Gluck died on August 25, 2023, at the age of 95 within the walls of the same hospital where he brought forth so much life.

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Published: November 2024

Sam and Uttra Bhargava know the impact of illness and loss all too well, but instead of letting tragedy define them, every day they choose to turn their painful experiences into action.

Their motivation came after a series of personal heartbreaks. Together, they cared for Sam’s father and mother as they battled Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, then they faced the devastating loss of their daughter, Suruchi, who was paralyzed after a devastating car accident. The Bhargavas were determined to get involved with healthcare, particularly research, and make an impact.

“What we suffered, we didn’t want other community members to suffer,” says Uttra.

Uttra and Sam Bhargava at the unveiling of the Bhargava Neurosciences Clinic.
Uttra and Sam Bhargava with Dr. Michael Schlossmacher.

This resolve led them to become dedicated advocates and supporters of medical research focused on finding cures for neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injuries.

Over the years, they’ve travelled the world to familiarize themselves with the research in this field. And after everything they’ve seen, they choose to contribute significantly to the research efforts right here at The Ottawa Hospital.

In 2012, they made a $1 million gift to establish the Bhargava Research Chair in Neurodegeneration, which went to Dr. Michael Schlossmacher, an award-winning scientist who has made numerous major discoveries in neurodegenerative diseases. They also established the Suruchi Bhargava Chair in Spinal Cord Research in honour of their daughter. Then in 2021, they committed an initial $500,000 to the Campaign to Create Tomorrow in support of the new hospital campus, which will be the future home to a new neuroscience centre.

“We’ve called philanthropy a down payment on a cure, and that is really true. We’re still paying down, but we’re seeing progress.”

— Sam Bhargava

Today, they’re seeing the real impact philanthropic support can have on patients through research at The Ottawa Hospital.

“We’ve called philanthropy a down payment on a cure, and that is really true. We’re still paying down, but we’re seeing progress,” says Sam. “Diagnosis of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s used to be very challenging. In my mother’s case, it took her eight years to get a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Since then, diagnosis has improved for both conditions, and The Ottawa Hospital’s Dr. David Grimes wrote a manual on how to diagnose Parkinson’s that changed everything. This is just one example of the practice-changing research happening right here in Ottawa — there is so much.”

Uttra and Sam Bhargava with Dr. Eve Tsai.

And the Bhargavas aren’t stopping any time soon. To encourage others to join them in their mission, they have furthered their commitment by matching all donations made to the campaign between November 1 and December 31, 2024, up to a maximum of $500,000.

For them, it’s about more than just giving; it’s about investing in the future. They are especially aware of the growing pressure on our healthcare system as we face an aging population. Over the next 20 years, Canada’s population over the age of 65 is expected to grow by more than 40%, going from about 19% of the population to 25% of the population.

“We’ll keep raising money for The Ottawa Hospital until we can’t, and our children have been joining us in our philanthropy.”

— Sam Bhargava

“For us, it’s the rational thing to do — the efficient thing to do. The Ottawa Hospital ranks very highly in Canada for research, and they use the power of many by collaborating with other research institutions here in Canada and worldwide. In fact, The Ottawa Hospital ranks fourth in all of Canada for research funding,” explains Sam. “It’s like venture capital: we bet on something with promise, and it’s just growing and growing.”

The Bhargavas are leveraging philanthropy to reshape healthcare — they want to ensure future generations have access to the best healthcare and the most innovative research. They hope to help shape a future where families won’t face the same struggles they did.

“We’ll keep raising money for The Ottawa Hospital until we can’t, and our children have been joining us in our philanthropy,” says Sam. The Bhargava’s children proudly contributed to the family’s commitment to the campaign last year— a true family legacy.

“What’s happening at The Ottawa Hospital touches our hearts. If we help the people making discoveries there, they are going to help us all one day.”

— Uttra Bhargava

Their personal journey, passion for research, and unfailing generosity have made the Bhargavas champions for change. And now, they are inviting the community to join them in in challenging what is possible tomorrow.

“What’s happening at The Ottawa Hospital touches our hearts,” says Uttra. “If we help the people making discoveries there, they are going to help us all one day.”

Sam and Uttra Bhargava in 2015 with Drs. Tsai, Schlossmacher and Grimes

Published: November 2024

The pace at which medical advancements are taking place in the field of immunotherapy is staggering. Immunotherapy harnesses a patient’s own immune system to attack their cancer, and The Ottawa Hospital is at the forefront of research in this area — from the development of new therapies to clinicals trials. In fact, our hospital hosts BioCanRx, a national network for immunotherapy research and has pioneered a number of unique immunotherapies made directly of cells and viruses. These groundbreaking immunotherapies, developed right here, are pushing the boundaries of medicine and transforming patient care.

“The field of oncology is like a hurricane of clinical trials. Every six months now, we are trying to implement practice-changing data or chase promising data.”

— Dr. Michael Ong

Unlike traditional treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy can adapt to a patient’s cancer, which can lead to improvements that can last years — even after the patient has stopped treatment.

For Dr. Michael Ong, a medical oncologist and clinical investigator at The Ottawa Hospital, it’s reassuring to see the combination of incredible progress and long-term success for patients during his career. “The field of oncology is like a hurricane of clinical trials. Every six months now, we are trying to implement practice-changing data or chase promising data.”

The survival rates for metastatic melanoma, for example, have gone from only 20% surviving one year to 50% not only surviving 10 years, but also being both cancer-free and treatment-free. This is thanks to immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy shows promise for bladder cancers

Now, experts like Dr. Ong are asking what other cancers can be treated with immunotherapy and how to harness its full potential. “Over the years, we’ve been doing melanoma surgery for those who are high risk, and then treating with immunotherapy after surgery. But it turns out immunotherapy works better before surgery happens, because the immune system can be better trained against the cancer when there’s more cancer present,” explains Dr. Ong. 

That means treating with immunotherapy first, and envisioning a future where surgery could one day be unnecessary. This would be a huge improvement for patients’ quality of life. 

Recently, the results of a clinical trial led by Dr. Ong at The Ottawa Hospital as part of a multinational effort were presented at a conference in Barcelona, Spain. In this trial, chemotherapy and immunotherapy were prescribed before surgery in patients with bladder cancer. The group that had immunotherapy prior to surgery had a lower rate of cancer recurrence and higher cure rate, and it is now considered standard of care to offer pre-operative immunotherapy.

“It’s so exciting to have recruited patients to this trial and contributed to this global effort that ultimately improved how we treat our patients with bladder cancer,” explains Dr. Ong. 

The next generation of trials may look at whether there is a need to remove a patient’s bladder if they are super responders. “Not everyone will get away without surgery, but even if some patients can avoid it, then it’s a huge advancement. We are talking about complete response rates from pre-operative treatment that are now exceeding 50% in bladder cancer,” says Dr. Ong. “So, by the time of surgery, we’re not even seeing any more cancer cells. That begs the question, ‘Do we need to take out the bladder’.” 

The fact that each person’s cancer is unique adds to the complexity of the disease and treatment. But the potential impact of immunotherapy is reaching even farther.  

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that can develop in the prostate — a small, walnut-shaped gland in the male reproductive system that produces seminal fluid.

How some prostate cancer patients may benefit

There have previously been significant efforts to evaluate if immunotherapy works in patients with prostate cancer. Multiple phase-three prostate cancer clinical trials have had largely disappointing results. However, within every one of these trials, there were a small proportion of patients who benefitted, and it shows that 3 out of 100 patients can actually benefit significantly from immunotherapy.

It has taken time and more data to understand who these patients were, but it has come down to something called mismatch repair deficiency, which seems to be the most promising way to identify patients that will respond to immunotherapy. “Normally when cancer cells copy their DNA, mistakes (or mismatches) in copying happen. The mismatch repair system will normally catch and fix those errors. But if this repair system is deficient or faulty, these mistakes are tolerated and DNA mutations accumulate rapidly,” says Dr. Ong.

Cancers generally become more aggressive when more mutations accumulate. “It turns out, however, that these ‘ugly’ mutated cancers are actually very sensitive to immunotherapy,” according to Dr. Ong.

That’s incredible news for a small but specific group of patients with prostate cancer, like Larry Trickey.

Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis

Larry Trickey, a retired computer specialist, was diagnosed with a highly aggressive prostate cancer in 2022. His scans showed the cancer had spread to the bladder and pelvis. It was the height of the pandemic, adding to the stress, and surgery was not possible. Initially, he began standard hormone treatment, then his oncologist, Dr. Dominick Bossé, suggested he enroll in a study that involved genomic testing of his tumour and access to a new treatment called a PARP inhibitor.

“When Mr. Trickey and his wife walked into my office with determination and hope, they were deeply supportive of one another and committed to finding the best path forward,” explains Dr. Bossé. “As always with research, the addition of a new form of care on top of standard treatment could make it more challenging to tolerate, but may also uncover new ways to treat cancer efficiently. Mr. Trickey was willing to take that risk.”

While initially Larry had benefit from the treatment, the effect was relatively short-lived, with the cancer worsening in 2023. He then received some radiation treatment and in a surprising turn of events, the radiation triggered an abscopal effect — a very rare phenomenon where the immune system kicks in to fight cancer after radiation releases.

Dr. Dominick Bossé

“It was a remarkable moment. Mr. Trickey put his trust in me to hold off on further treatments while he benefited from this abscopal effect and until the cancer showed signs of progression, with the hope of enrolling him in an immunotherapy trial as our next option,” says Dr. Bossé.

“The entire team rallied together — the research team, radiology, oncology — to get him promptly into that trial."

— Dr. Dominick Bossé

Clinical trial led by Dr. Ong

Within months, Larry’s condition started to deteriorate and that’s when Dr. Bossé said it was time to see if he could enroll in a clinical trial that Dr. Ong was running. “The entire team rallied together — the research team, radiology, oncology — to get him promptly into that trial. Despite the alarming news of progression, Mr. Trickey agreed to multiple tests for the trial eligibility, which he met just in time, hours only before the trial closed.”

Larry Trickey

Larry remembers the call vividly. “It was around suppertime when Dr. Bossé called, and he seemed to be very ecstatic about one of the mutations I had,” remembers Larry. “There was a study looking for patients with that mutation. He was so excited when he saw the results and what it could mean for me.”

Hundreds of patients in Canada have been enrolled in this study over the last five years, but Larry was the last one accepted before the trial completed.

“It was kind of like winning the lottery to have that mutation. I was very lucky that it allowed me to get into this more aggressive study. If it was successful, it would really make a huge difference,” says Larry.

And Larry needed a win because by this time he had multiple metastases, including one in his left shoulder that was progressively weakening his arm. His stomach was bloated, and he was in pain because of the size of the tumour on his prostate and the difficulty of having bowel movements.

“Things were getting desperate for me. My son and his wife were expecting their first child around Christmas, and I didn’t know if I would ever get to meet my first grandchild.”

Astonishing results from immunotherapy clinical trial

By mid-February 2024, Larry started on the PC-BETS study, with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, for which Dr. Ong is a national co-chair. The results were astounding, and his condition improved very quickly after receiving two types of immunotherapies in combination.

"The cancer just melted away."

— Dr. Michael Ong

“The cancer just melted away. His PSA (prostate-specific antigen) in February 2024 before we started the trial was high. By April, his PSA was undetectable, and it’s stayed undetectable. The scans in July 2024 showed only a small residual nodule on the left adrenal gland. All the other sites of cancer have disappeared on his scans, and by the next scan, it’ll hopefully all be gone,” explains Dr. Ong.

To put this in perspective, a few cycles of chemotherapy would have maintained his life, but would not have improved it in the end. This clinical trial truly changed Larry’s life.

Read our Q&A with
D
r. Michael Ong

"If it wasn't for the trial, for sure, I don't think I'd be here now."

— Larry Trickey

Larry will continue with monthly immunotherapy treatment, but Dr. Ong says for how long is something that is also still being studied. “There’s an open question with immunotherapy right now to understand how long we need to deliver these treatments even when the scans normalize. That doesn’t mean every last cancer cell is gone. There are currently studies trying to address that.”

Today, the 69-year-old is enjoying every moment as a grandfather, and now he’s optimistic he’ll be able to celebrate that special milestone of his grandson’s first birthday. He’s also gaining his strength back, little by little, and he’s got movement back in his left arm. “If it wasn’t for the trial, for sure, I don’t think I’d be here now.”

He and his wife are deeply grateful to the cancer care team who have been with them every step of the way. “The nursing team honestly feels like family, especially Rayelle Richard, she’s really terrific. She gives me my infusions and is my contact to Dr. Bossé and Dr. Ong. It is such a supportive team at the Cancer Centre.”

What’s next in the field of immunotherapy?

For Dr. Ong, the goal is to find the right fit of treatment for each patient — it’s about individual analysis for each prostate cancer patient.

He also points to the importance of having access to things like The Ottawa Hospital’s molecular lab, funded by donors, which allows our scientists to do this kind of specialized testing and to provide much more personalization of care to patients. “We need to be at the forefront and test our patients for those mismatch repair alterations and get them immunotherapy when indicated,” says Dr. Ong. “That will be a significant advancement and will benefit more patients like Larry.”

Admittedly, the field is complex and moving at a rapid pace. Since he entered the medical oncology field 15 years ago, the change has been remarkable. 

“I was a little bit concerned at that time that I would only ever be just delivering chemotherapy and never having a big impact. I was clearly wrong. Today, we’re seeing this totally new technology called antibody-drug conjugates that is revolutionizing bladder cancer treatment. They target the cancer specifically and then deliver high potency chemotherapy inside the cancer cells and that’s the huge advance of bladder cancer right now when combined with immunotherapy.”

Next is to bring this success to other patients with different types of cancers. The way to that will be through more cutting-edge research and clinical trials.

Dr. Michael Ong and Larry Trickey

The Ottawa Hospital is also leading the way in research to develop and manufacture new cancer immunotherapies. For example, laboratory scientists like Drs. John Bell and Carolina Ilkow are developing biotherapies that use cells, genes and viruses to unleash an immune attack against cancer cells. They worked with clinician scientist Dr. Natasha Kekre and others to develop the first made-in-Canada CAR-T cell therapy. Other clinician researchers, like Dr. Alissa Visram and Dr. Rebecca Auer, are also developing new cancer immunotherapies and working to bring these to patients. This kind of research is fuelled by core facilities and platforms like The Ottawa Hospital’s Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre as well as networks like BioCanRx.

September 10, 2024 – Approximately 550 guests attended the President’s Breakfast fundraiser at the Shaw Centre today to hear inspiring stories of care at The Ottawa Hospital and plans to reshape the future of healthcare across the region and take research to new heights globally. It was also an opportunity to recognize the community’s generous support of the $500-million Campaign to Create Tomorrow, and the morning was capped off with the special announcement of four new co-chairs to support the region’s largest fundraising campaign.

These four community leaders embraced the opportunity to be a part of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to help create a better tomorrow. The Ottawa Hospital Foundation welcomes the leadership of:

The volunteer efforts from business and community leaders in Ottawa will continue to play a vital role in this unprecedented campaign. “We’re tremendously grateful to the leadership of our new co-chairs. They each bring unique perspectives to the campaign and together, we are creating tomorrow,” said Tim Kluke, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.

Ms. Bertrand is a passionate advocate for the region’s young leaders and a strong champion for women’s health and empowerment. “I’m here to engage the next generation to get involved — it’s vitally important. Together, we will not only help our parents navigate the healthcare system as they age, but also drive advancements in women’s health and research, ensuring a brighter, healthier future for all.”

This was echoed by Mr. Clarke, who’s seen firsthand the exceptional, specialized care The Ottawa Hospital provides in the region. “I watched both my parent’s experience cancer care at the hospital. I know how crucial it is to continue building for the future, so when any one of us need care, we will have access to the very best — right here at home.”

As a member of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s board of directors for the past seven years and a tech leader, Mr. Ford is encouraging Ottawa’s high-tech sector to continue their invaluable support and to rally behind this historic campaign. “Attracting and retaining top talent to Ottawa requires state-of-the-art services. Having specialized healthcare in a world-class facility when you need it is an important factor when recruiting and this campaign will play a key role to make that happen.”

As Head of Critical Care and a palliative care physician, for Dr. Kyeremanteng, it’s about the patients he sees every day and their families. “This new hospital campus will bring a state-of-the-art facility to our patients, and it will drastically improve how we care for them and their loved ones. I want to help make that happen.”

With the announcement of the four new co-chairs, also came news that after five years as Chair of the Campaign to Create Tomorrow, Roger Greenberg will take on the new role of Chair Emeritus. “We’ve seen great success to date, but we still have a long way to go to achieve our goal — a goal that will reshape healthcare for future generations, right here at home. I’m proud to continue to play a role in the largest and most important fundraising campaign in our city’s history and welcome our new co-chairs who represent all aspects of our community.”

The Ottawa Hospital Foundation also introduced the founding patrons of the campaign including: The Right Honourable David Johnston, former Ottawa mayors Jim Durrell and Jackie Holzman, the first PWHL Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner, and former President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Dr. Jack Kitts.

The new co-chairs and patrons join an esteemed roster of volunteers including the executive and cabinet — each dedicated community leader helping to build a better tomorrow. To date, the historic Campaign to Create Tomorrow has raised $336 million.

About The Ottawa Hospital:

The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s top learning and research hospitals where we are guided by our vision to provide the world-class and compassionate care, we would all want for our loved ones. Our multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, is home to the Regional Trauma Centre and Cancer Centre, and to discoveries that are adopted globally.

Backed by generous support from the community, we are focused on reshaping the future of healthcare to improve the health of our diverse population of patients from eastern Ontario, western Quebec, and Nunavut. For more information about The Ottawa Hospital, visit CreatingTomorrow.ca.

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Media contact:

Shelley McLean, The Ottawa Hospital Foundation; shmclean@toh.ca; 613-324-4466 

Published: September 2024

As the 100th anniversary of the Civic Campus inches closer — marking a century of care and medical breakthroughs — plans continue for the next 100 years of healthcare in our region. The final designs of the new hospital campus will come together in the next year. During this design phase, patients, leaders and staff at The Ottawa Hospital, Indigenous partners, and members of the community are all helping to refine the details of this new state-of-the-art health and research facility.

And while designs are finalized for the new hospital, construction of the parking garage to support the new campus is well underway.

Building a new hospital is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it’s an opportunity that has business leaders, families, foundations, and many other community members stepping forward to support the $500-million Campaign to Create Tomorrow, which has raised an incredible $336-million to date in the region’s largest fundraising initiative.

Lisa Young, Senior Planning Project Manager at The Ottawa Hospital

Designing state-of-the-art operating rooms

The new campus will increase The Ottawa Hospital’s number of operating rooms (ORs) to help meet projected volume increases for surgeries in the future. These state-of-the-art ORs will be where some of the most life-changing care is delivered. 

“It will enhance the patient experience and work efficiencies."

– Lisa Young

According to Lisa Young, Senior Planning Project Manager at The Ottawa Hospital, the functionality of that space will be key to accommodating not only more procedures, but also new equipment and technology. “It will enhance the patient experience and work efficiencies. We’re also focusing on the function of what the teams providing care do within these spaces, rather than the physical form of the building.”

Optimizing workflow in and around the ORs

Enhancements will include a bay of ‘block rooms’ where pre-surgery preparation can take place outside the main OR itself. These rooms can be used for patients receiving regional anesthesia before entering for surgery, helping reduce potential delays, and making the best use of time in the OR for both patients and care teams.

Dr. Sundaresan, Head of the Department of Surgery, and a clinical thoracic surgeon, explains that location of the ORs is vital for optimizing workflow, especially during critical moments. “The ORs at the new campus will be located next to the interventional radiology suites, which is exciting,” he says.

“When the new campus opens, we’ll have one of the most state-of-the-art surgical facilities in Canada, if not North America.”

– Dr. Sudhir Sundaresan

Interventional radiology is a medical specialty that performs minimally invasive treatments using x-ray imaging to guide small instruments, like catheters, through blood vessels and organs to treat a variety of diseases. “In the event there’s a complication during that procedure, sometimes the patient must go urgently into an OR. Now, the patient won’t have to be moved to another location to access the OR — it will be right there.”

New and emerging technologies will also enhance patient care. “When the new campus opens, we’ll have one of the most state-of-the-art surgical facilities in Canada, if not North America,” says Dr. Sundaresan. “Taking advantage of technology that will help us take surgery to the next level is one of the most exciting areas for development in the future.”

New neurosurgery rooms will come with innovative technology

Teams are also exploring innovative technologies such as an intraoperative MRI machine that captures real-time images of the brain during surgery.

Built on a rail system in the ceiling and considered a gold standard for procedures like brain tumor surgery, this MRI machine would be housed within the operating theatre, but just outside the operating room itself. If a patient needs imaging during a procedure, a door is opened, and the MRI can slide in on rails without having to relocate the patient with minimal disruption.

One of the goals in current design plans is for all ORs to have full audio video (AV) integration to help accommodate minimally invasive surgeries and for teaching purposes.

“Having AV integration in each suite provides more flexibility for patients,” Lisa explains. “We currently have specific rooms at each campus that can accommodate this, but having monitors and the ability to connect cameras in all of the ORs will be a new baseline of care that we could provide at the new campus.”

Digital solutions for a proactive approach to care

Glen Kearns, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at The Ottawa Hospital

There are plenty of opportunities for technology to make a positive impact on patient care and experience. 

“We’re striving to build on the digital experiences that people have in other areas of their lives to enhance the healthcare services we provide.”

– Glen Kearns

“We’re striving to build on the digital experiences that people have in other areas of their lives to enhance the healthcare services we provide,” says Glen Kearns, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at The Ottawa Hospital. “Whether it’s inpatient care, preparing a patient before they even visit the hospital or following up with them at home, technology can offer solutions and more seamless care.”

Our hospital is also exploring the possibility of remote or virtual admissions to better support seamless inpatient and at-home care. The goal is to launch at the current campuses in advance, so it’s operationally ready on day one at the new campus.

“We want to leverage technology to reduce in-hospital admissions, wait times, and improve how patients interact with our teams.”

– Mathieu LeBreton

“We want to leverage technology to reduce in-hospital admissions, wait times, and improve how patients interact with our teams,” says Mathieu LeBreton, Senior Project Manager and Digital Experience Lead. “Ideally, we’ll have technology that enables and enhances workflow and reduces workflow burden on staff to improve their day-to-day experience.”

Mathieu adds that technology will be integrated to improve the experience of patients who are admitted. All rooms will be single patient and will have digital access so patients can stay connected with care providers and loved ones and access their health information, appointments, and entertainment. Throughout the new campus, technology can also help patients and visitors navigate the hospital.

Mathieu LeBreton, Senior Project Manager and Digital Experience Lead

The role of AI

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has made great strides in becoming a useful and adaptable tool in the workplace. Our Digital Solutions team is already looking at innovative ways to harness the power of AI.

The Ottawa Hospital recently announced a trial of Dragon Ambient eXperience (DAX) Copilot which uses ambient, conversational, and generative AI to create draft clinical notes during patient appointments. With patient consent, it securely records and creates medical notes for the physician to review and approve. The Ottawa Hospital is the first in Canada to trial this innovative solution aimed at reducing physician burnout and time spent on administrative tasks and allowing physicians to spend more time interacting with patients providing care.

A hub for biotherapeutics research

The Ottawa Hospital is already a global research powerhouse, and the new campus will help take our research to unprecedented heights.

The expansion of the Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre (BMC) at the new campus will boost our capacity to develop and manufacture lifesaving biotherapeutics, including vaccines, gene therapies, and cell therapies right here in Ottawa.

Over the last 15 years, researchers at our hospital have led more than 20 world-first clinical trials using biotherapeutics such as stem cells, cancer-fighting viruses, and cellular immunotherapy. These trials are possible because the BMC is a specialized clean-room facility that develops and manufactures novel therapeutic products incorporating cells, genes, viruses, and other biological materials.

The BMC is the most experienced and successful facility of its kind in Canada, with more than 40 full-time staff currently based at the General Campus. It consistently operates at full capacity and is booked far in advance with both academic and industry clients — making this expansion vitally needed to further push the boundaries of research and bring more treatment options to patients.

Looking ahead to the next century of healthcare in Ottawa

When the Civic Campus first opened 100 years ago, the world had just emerged from a pandemic and the new hospital was considered the most modern in North America. Now, we find history repeating itself. We are witnessing the community rally together behind a historic campaign that will take research to the next level and help support the most modern and cutting-edge hospital campus in the country. This will transform the patient experience for generations to come, and we invite you to join us.

Together, we are creating tomorrow for generations to come.

In a family with more than 120 descendants, it can be challenging to pull everyone together for the same cause. But, when you’re talking about honouring the very people from whom those descendants came, that’s an easy one.

It’s a story that Ottawa resident Camille Mikhael likes to tell — about the rich roots of his family that originated in Lebanon, spread out around the world, and then settled with much success in Ottawa. They are roots that, to this day, nurture this community in so many ways.

But to understand the story, you need to go back to the beginning, to where the story takes root. It starts with Youssef and Najebeh Mikhael, Camille’s grandparents, who ran a box factory in a small village in Lebanon. The couple had 13 children, many of whom were also involved in the business. Camille says when the civil war broke out in 1975, Youssef and his family, who were members of the religious minority, were targeted. After unsuccessful assassination attempts on both him and his wife, Youssef packed up all the family and fled to Canada where one son was already attending school.

“I think there were 20 people sleeping in one apartment,” says Camille. “My grandparents didn’t speak English, so my aunts and uncles got jobs doing whatever they could.”

The Mikhael family in front of the Najah Ayoub Consult Room at the Rose Ages Breast Health Centre, which was named after Camille’s aunt who died of breast cancer in 2010 at the age of 49.

Supported by those strong family roots and a bolstered by a good work ethic, they have all managed to create thriving businesses in Ottawa over the years in what Camille calls “a good immigrant success story.” And, like so many others who are thankful to this country and this city for embracing them, they have a strong desire to give back.

“There’s no better or more fitting tribute than this.”

— Camille Mikhael

The Mikhael family has just donated $100,000 from the proceeds of their charity poker tournament to The Ottawa Hospital’s Campaign to Create Tomorrow. In honour of this gift, a hospital room at the new campus will be named after their grandparents.

“There’s no better or more fitting tribute than this,” explains Camille. “They are the ones who gave us not only the opportunity to thrive here, but also the opportunity to come together and do something good. And to see their two names together on a wall is such a beautiful thing to us.”

The donation is being made through the Najah Ayoub Foundation, named after Camille’s aunt who died of breast cancer in 2010 at the age of 49. The family made an earlier donation of $100,000 in her memory and, in 2018, her relatives gathered at The Ottawa Hospital’s Rose Ages Breast Health Centre to see the unveiling of the Najah Ayoub Consult Room.

“Our goal is to make sure we are shining as bright a light as possible so that we can spread our generosity as far as it can go.”

— Camille Mikhael

Camille explains that Najah’s nickname was “Sunshine” because her smile and joie de vivre filled the room with sun. After Najah’s death, Camille, a sponsored poker professional for many years, established the city’s largest charity poker tournament appropriately called the “Sunshine Poker Tournament,” with proceeds going to a variety of causes including The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. Camille says he is impressed with the Foundation’s status as one of the most efficient healthcare foundations in Canada, with our cost to raise a dollar at $0.18. Additionally, for eleven consecutive years, The Ottawa Hospital Foundation has been named a High Performer by the Association of Healthcare Professionals.

So far, the Najah Ayoub Foundation has raised more than half a million dollars.

“You don’t know when you plant those seeds of good exactly what kind of tree or flower will blossom,” says Camille. “But our goal is to make sure we are shining as bright a light as possible so that we can spread our generosity as far as it can go.”

Government of Canada announces intention to amend the Income Tax Act to extend the deadline for 2024 charitable donations. Learn more here.