Dr. Penn has received several awards including the New Investigator Award from the Terry Fox Foundation, the Woman-of-Action Award from the Israel Cancer Research Fund, and the Award of Distinction from the Leukemia Research Fund.
The Canadian Club of Halton hosted their final dinner of the season at the Oakville Conference Centre last week. Guest speaker, Dr. Linda Penn, PhD, Senior Scientist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, focuses on the molecular basis of cancer and the development and application of novel anti-cancer therapeutics. She feels that, “These are revolutionary and exciting times in Cancer Research”. Dr. Penn walked the mostly lay audience through her cancer research story and outlined her plan for “Understanding Cancer and Personalized Medicine”.
Dr. Linda Penn, PhD, Senior Scientist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Mary Saunders and CCH President, Barry Wylie;
Dr. Penn has received several awards including the New Investigator Award from the Terry Fox Foundation, the Woman-of-Action Award from the Israel Cancer Research Fund, and the Award of Distinction from the Leukemia Research Fund. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Molecular Oncology and is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Linkoping University in Sweden.
Dr. Penn explained that “normal cells in the body are highly controlled, whereas tumour cells are out of control. The more out of control the cells are, the more aggressive the tumour is.” New research has shown that inhibitors, such as Gleevec, block tumour cell growth at the molecular level allowing diagnosis and treatment that works!” This is wonderful news for many suffering from the ravages of cancer.
Jeanne Crockett, Angela Lukowski, Mark Lukowski, Kriss Bush with Linda and Spence Williams
Her important and innovative research is changing the lives of many Cancer patients helping them to live a full life far beyond original expectations. In 1996 she started her own laboratory at Princess Margaret and from 2005-2010 was Division Head of Cancer Genomics & Proteomics, and served on the Research Executive Committee from 2009-2012. Years of basic research focused on understanding the molecular differences between normal and tumour cells have yielded new insights into how and why cancers develop.
This knowledge is having a profound impact on cancer diagnosis and treatment. By identifying the mutations causing specific cancers, a more precise diagnosis can be made and a treatment strategy prescribed that targets an individual’s cancer.
Lesley Harchnitz, Mary Jane Tuthill, Barrie Haywood, Brian Grose, Ann Grose, Michael GlynneAccording to Dr. Penn, “This new paradigm of ‘personalized medicine’ is already impacting cancer patient outcome and survival.”
In keeping with Canada’s 150th Birthday Celebrations, the Canadian Club of Halton will kick off their 32nd season on September 21, 2017 with guest speaker Lindy Mechefske, an Award-Winning Author, Food Columnist for the Kingston Whig-Standard, Food Blogger, and Cook talking about her recent book Sir John’s Table: The Culinary Life & Times of Canada’s First Prime Minister.
Dr. Linda Penn, PhD, Senior Scientist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Speaker at CCH and honoured Head Table Guests
Reservations for the dinner can be made by e-mail (barrywylie1@gmail.com), by telephone (905-827-6302), or by mail (cheques payable to Canadian Club of Halton, 283 River Side Drive, Oakville, L6K 3N3).
The not-for-profit, volunteer-driven, Canadian Club of Halton has been hosting guest dinner speakers on a wide range of subjects since 1986. Guests and other non-members are always welcome.
Article and photos courtesy of Janet Bedford.
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