$1M funding helps to bring key cancer researcher back to Canada

Toronto, ON – A promising and rising research star has returned to Ontario to continue his cancer research at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital thanks in part to a $1-million leadership gift from TD Bank Financial Group.

Dr Abdallah Al-Hakim, a post doctoral research fellow, had been studying in Scotland but returned home to Ontario in time for a special ceremony last week recognizing TD Bank Financial Group’s donation that will assist 25 fellows at the Lunenfeld over the next 10 years.

“I feel fortunate to be able to return to Toronto to conduct research at the internationally-renowned Lunenfeld institute,” said Dr Al-Hakim. “Being here will help pave the way to more research insights that will hopefully one day lead to better treatments and prevention of cancer.”

The funds will support Dr Al-Hakim’s work identifying components of DNA cell damage that holds promise for further understanding how cancer takes root.

Dr May Alarab will also receive funding from the TD Bank Financial Group Fellowship Program. Dr Alarab is a clinical research fellow in the Lawrence and Frances Bloomberg Centre for Women’s and Infants’ Health at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she is working to advance her research in pelvic floor dysfunction to ensure pregnant women choose the safest delivery method.

“Excellent medical research has a direct impact on the quality of health care and this type of special donation will make a difference in research by promoting excellence,” said Dr Jim Woodgett, director of the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute. “As a result, we have two young, bright minds whose work holds great promise for the health of cancer patients, mothers and their newborn babies.”