Toronto – September 22, 2026 -- The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation has secured a $100 million gift from an anonymous donor, the largest single donation in the foundation's history and the largest cancer-related gift ever recorded in Canada.
Foundation launches $2.5 billion campaign to fund cancer breakthroughs
The gift anchors the launch of "Carry The Fire," a $2.5 billion fundraising campaign aimed at accelerating cancer research, treatment and care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. The donation, tied to the donor's personal experience with cancer, will be directed toward the Centre's highest-priority needs across research, education and patient care, giving administrators flexibility to fund breakthroughs as they emerge.
Campaign targets three strategic priorities in cancer care
The $2.5 billion campaign will channel philanthropic capital into three areas: "Stage 0," focused on early cancer detection before it becomes life-threatening; "Beyond Chemotherapy," which advances precision medicine, immunotherapy, theranostics, genomics and AI-enabled treatment; and "Boundless Cancer Care," which addresses survivorship, rehabilitation, mental health and holistic patient support.
Leadership frames the effort as a defining moment for global cancer research
"The Princess Margaret is not just participating in the global cancer ecosystem; it is shaping the model others will follow," said Dr. Miyo Yamashita, President and CEO of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Dr. Kevin Smith, President and CEO of University Health Network, said the campaign will help move laboratory breakthroughs to patient bedsides more quickly across the network's clinical and research operations.
Centre cites diverse patient data as a research advantage
The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre operates with a global research network and one of the most diverse patient populations worldwide, generating clinical data the foundation says is applicable across more than 200 cancer types. Campaign Cabinet Co-Chair Janice Fukakusa said the $100 million gift reflects donor confidence in the organization's capacity to convert philanthropic investment into measurable patient outcomes.