Campaign Milestones

Launch of the Billion Dollar Challenge

A gold bar at the Billion Dollar Challenge launch signifies the new gold standard in cancer care: Personalized Cancer Medicine.

A gold bar at the Billion Dollar Challenge launch signifies the new gold standard in cancer care:
Personalized Cancer Medicine.


On April 12, 2012, The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation launched the Billion Dollar Challenge to support the creation and delivery of Personalized Cancer Medicine. 

Paul Alofs, President & CEO, was asked to explain his fundraising strategy on the launch day of the Billion Dollar Challenge. “We will raise this money literally one dollar and one donor at a time…We literally ask everyone we meet and know to support our creed and vision – to Conquer Cancer In Our Lifetime.” 

That same day, we were delighted to receive our first donation to the campaign from a young girl named Elle, the granddaughter of one our patients.  She presented us with two envelopes--$4.43 in one and the other with 75 cents for a total of $5.18.  Since Elle’s first donation on behalf of her grandfather, thousands of others have given generously.  
Historical $50 million gift

Allan Slaight (left) and Emmanuelle Gattuso (right).

Allan Slaight (left) and Emmanuelle Gattuso (right).


In January 2013, Emmanuelle Gattuso and her husband, Allan Slaight and the Slaight family, made a significant commitment to our Billion Dollar Challenge with a historical donation of $50 million supporting Personalized Cancer Medicine at The Princess Margaret.  


Like many philanthropists today, Emmanuelle is very involved in the projects she is funding.  When presenting the $50 million gift, Emmanuelle explained why she and her husband have confidence investing so deeply in The Princess Margaret.

“We believe in the leadership of Princess Margaret, and we know that the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is best equipped to be a world leader in the field of Personalized Cancer Medicine,” said Emmanuelle.  
Celebrating our halfway point with transformational news

The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation named one of the Top 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures of 2013.

A snapshot of our new, world-class researchers with our generous donation from the gold mining industry.


On October 15, 2014, The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation publically announced four transformational investments. 

This included the largest-ever research expansion for The Princess Margaret and unprecedented recruitment drive of 26 international cancer experts and their teams. 

“This is a golden day,” stated Paul Alofs, President & CEO. “We are announcing a key milestone in our five-year Billion Dollar Challenge to lead the way in Personalized Cancer Medicine with an unprecedented investment in people, purpose-built space and technology. This will further the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre’s position as one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world.”

Punctuating the announcement was a unique gift made on behalf of nine of Canada’s leading gold mining companies. Six gold bars weighing a total of 2,400 troy ounces with a total value of more than $3.28 million, were unveiled by Ian Telfer, a patient at The Princess Margaret and Chairman of Goldcorp Inc., who was representing the Canadian gold mining industry. This support from gold mining companies represents a major commitment to conquering cancer at The Princess Margaret. Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., Barrick Gold Corporation, Goldcorp Inc., IAMGOLD, Kinross Gold Corporation, New Gold Inc., Primero Mining Corp., Silver Wheaton Corp. and Yamana Gold Inc. all contributed to the gift.

These generous donations kick off the next phase of fundraising for The PMCF’s Billion Dollar Challenge.  

Read more about Emmanuelle Gattuso’s reasons for supporting The Princess Margaret

Learn more about our progress by viewing our Campaign Updates