Multi-million dollar donation sets up DNA Sciences Centre for cancer research at U of C

A generous, but bittersweet gift from an award-winning businessman has given researchers at the University of Calgary their latest facility in fighting cancer.

Dave Robson has donated $10 million dollars to establish the DNA Sciences Centre in his name, in an announcement made at a news conference Tuesday.

He made the donation in honour of his late wife Val, who passed away in May because of a rare cancer that affects bone marrow.

The research will study how cells detect and repair DNA damage, in an effort to reduce cancer rates and improve treatment.

Director of the Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute Greg Cairncross said it’s a touching tribute and the facility will be able to meet a number of goals with the funding.

“It’s going to allow us to purchase some special microscopy equipment that will also us actually see DNA damage in cells and it’s going to allow us to recruit some young people who are contributing to this field, new scientists and it will also allow us to attract to Calgary, trainees in this field so that we get the best and brightest young minds,” he said.

Cairncross explains cells in our body get damaged and repaired, but it’s when the repairs don’t happen and are passed to other cells that uncontrollable cell growth occurs, which is the basis for all cancers.

The research will focus on that process.

“This issue of how DNA preserves itself, protects itself, repairs itself as we live our lives is what this group of scientists study,” he said.