Female scientists lead scorers among 32 grant awardees in annual research competition held by Canada's only nonprofit health agency dedicated to all blood cancers.

TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2018 /CNW/ - The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) is proud to announce the award of 32 new research grants to advance the science, understanding and treatment of blood cancers. Two female researchers, Drs. Rena Buckstein and Dixie Mager, earned the highest category scores among this group of Canada's leading blood cancer researchers.

"Typically, less than one third of all grant applications we receive each year is led by a female researcher," explains Alicia Talarico, LLSC President. "Despite these odds, the two research projects with the highest scores for both grant categories this year are led by female researchers and we think that deserves our attention."

Top scoring Operating Grant recipient, Dr. Buckstein of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, is working to improve outcomes in lymphoma patients over the age of 60. Findings from her study will have important implications for other types of cancers as well.

On the west coast, Vancouver-based researcher, Dr. Mager from the B.C. Cancer Agency, earned top marks in the New Idea grant competition for her study investigating a safer, more cost-effective way of treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children that could see applications for lymphoma and other types of cancer, such as colorectal or breast cancer.

"Getting started on this project was difficult at first because I needed to find the funds to support the work," says Dr. Mager.  "Few agencies will take a chance on this type of novel research in its early stages."

Each year, the LLSC receives more deserving applications than the number of grants available. 2018 will see more than $3.7 million awarded in grants to world class researchers in Canada by the LLSC.

View the full list of LLSC grant recipients on our website:

Operating Grants: llscanada.org/2018-funded-researchers

New Idea Award winners: llscanada.org/new-idea-award-recipients

Approximately 22,300 Canadians of all ages are diagnosed with leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma and related blood cancer disorders each year. Blood Cancers are the third leading cause of cancer death in Canadian men and the fourth in women. Despite advances in treatments, the five-year survival rate for most blood cancers is still lower than many other cancers.

About the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada is the single largest voluntary health agency dedicated to all blood cancers in Canada. Since 1955, LLSC has funded life-saving blood cancer research and provided information and support services, at no cost, to patients and their families. Our mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. To find out more visit llscanada.org.