Anonymous donor gifts $100M to Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation

The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation has received an anonymous donation of $100 million, marking the “single, largest gift” in the foundation’s history, according to the CEO.

The gift will be “transformational” to the work done by the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, said president and CEO Miyo Yamashita at a fundraising campaign event Tuesday evening.

“It’s the largest single advancement ever made in cancer research, education and care, anywhere in Canada,” Yamashita said, wiping away tears.

“While this donor has chosen to remain anonymous, the impact of their leadership will resonate around the world and impact cancer patients, families and the cancer community now and for generations to come.”

The donor was compelled by their personal connection to cancer and the foundation’s goal to remove the fear of cancer from the world, said a news release by the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

The cancer centre will put the donation toward its highest priority needs in research, education and care to help accelerate innovations in areas that need it most, the release said.

The donation also prompted the foundation to launch a $2.5-billion fundraising campaign called “Carry the Fire,” which Yamashita said had already raised just over $1 billion as of Tuesday evening.

Those funds will give patients “many ordinary tomorrows” through access to more treatments and support, she said.

Donations toward research gives patient hope

Cancer patient Annie Raimondo said the “incredible” donation is a gift for everyone who is fighting cancer, as well as future patients that have yet to be diagnosed.

“It gives me hope that there are cures for cancer and that there are generous donors who are willing to fund that research,” she said at Tuesdays’ event.

Raimondo said doctors have told her she is currently stable, but not cancer free “yet.”

“The donors whose generosity has transformed the lives of me and my family, I am indebted to all of you.”