Heidi Wagner '06 part of urological disease research team with new $10 million donation

Neil Fleshner's research team
Dr. Neil Fleshner MD, MPH, FRCSC (seated) with select members of his research team (from left to right) Miran Kenk, PhD; Karen Hersey, RN; and Heidi Wagner, BSc., PA.

With a $10-million donation, the University of Toronto is partnering with Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to launch the McCain Centre for Urological Innovation and Education. Under the direction of Dr. Neil Fleshner, Chair of U of T’s Division of Urology, the McCain Centre will provide highly skilled scientists at U of T and The Princess Margaret with the tools they need to advance their innovative research, training and clinical care; 2006 WSU Applebaum pathologists' assistant alumna Heidi Wagner is part of Fleshner's research team. 

According to an article on the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (PMCF) website, urological disease is a leading cause of death and disability among Canadians, with prostate cancer alone accounting for more than 20,000 new diagnoses each year. An estimated one in five Canadians over the age of 35 are affected by an overactive bladder, up to half of men over 40 experience erectile dysfunction, and more than 500,000 Canadian seniors suffer from urinary incontinence.

The gift will help researchers at U of T and The Princess Margaret harness the latest scientific and technological advances in the field of urology, educate the next generation of urological surgeon scientists, and expand an already world-class tissue biobank to significantly improve patient care.   

Read more on PMCF website

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