The Canadian Cancer Society Research Information Outreach Team (RIOT), led by Queen’s doctoral candidates Mathieu Crupi and Piriya Yoganathan (Pathology and Molecular Medicine), is hosting the first-ever Daffodil Gala in Kingston – an outreach and fundraising effort by graduate and post-doctoral researchers in cancer research for the broader community.

All monies raised at the event will go to support the Queen’s Transdisciplinary Training Program in Cancer Research. The program was established to produce future leaders in cancer research.

This program provides young investigators, including graduate and post-doctoral students, with training and hands-on experience in transdisciplinary research.

“Over the last 15 years, the program has funded over 100 students contributing to cancer research at Queen’s and it’s very important these opportunities continue,” says Mr. Crupi. “Sponsorship has provided all the money needed to organize the gala, and every dollar from ticket sales will go directly to the Training Program.”

These funds are necessary to ensure this invaluable program is sustainable for incoming students after 2018 who will be the cancer researchers of tomorrow.

The Daffodil Gala is being held at the Isabel Bader Centre and features classical music entertainment, dinner, a silent auction and talks by cancer researchers including Lois Mulligan (Pathology and Molecular Medicine) and Canadian Cancer Trials Group director Janet Dancey. Queen’s Principal Daniel Woolf will be on hand to welcome attendees to the event, and Rector Cam Yung will serve as host and emcee.

A unique twist to the event will see artwork created by children living with pediatric cancer and artworks created from Training Program student’s research auctioned off as another fundraising item.

“We are planning the event to take place before World Cancer Day (Feb. 3),” says Ms. Yoganathan. “Along with raising important funding, the event provides a chance for the public to learn more about the promise and progress of cancer research taking place here in the Queen’s Cancer Research Institute.”

For more information or to purchase tickets visit the website.