Dr. Mahmoud Elsawy, QEII hematologist and BMO Ride for Cancer participant.
TO ESTABLISH ATLANTIC CANADA’S FIRST
CAR-T THERAPY LAB
CAR-T therapy is a revolutionary and lifesaving immunotherapy that’s a final lifeline and potential cure for blood cancer patients who’ve exhausted all other treatment options.
Our 2023 BMO Ride for Cancer community rallied like never before to fully fund the region’s first and only CAR-T therapy lab at the QEII. This includes a $500,000 match from Scott McCain and Leslie McLean, a $75,000 match from the Wilson family and a $250,000 gift from the Jangerlee Foundation. Construction of the new donor-funded lab will soon begin.
Charles Jesso, pictured with his wife Emmaline, during his lifesaving CAR-T therapy treatment.
Cancer survivor Charles Jesso (pictured right) knows firsthand the impact that the QEII’s new CAR-T therapy lab will make possible.
In March 2022, Charles became the first patient in Nova Scotia to receive this groundbreaking treatment, which involved shipping his immune cells to California and back as a local lab was not available.
He credits the treatment with saving his life — allowing him to experience many special moments, like his daughter’s recent wedding, 1.5 years after originally being told he had just three months to live.
“You can’t put a price on giving someone a second chance at life,” says Charles. “This lab will benefit so many patients and families, like ours, in the future.”
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Halifax, Nova Scotia
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$3 MILLION CAMPAIGN COMPLETED FOR SPINAL ROBOT AND ACCOMPANYING RESEARCH