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MONCTON, N.B., January 30, 2026 - The New Brunswick Institute of Health Research (NBIHR) has received a strong vote of confidence in cancer research through a generous $250,000 unrestricted gift from the Sir James Dunn Foundation. This significant philanthropic investment will directly support cancer researchers at the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute (ACRI), a founding partner of NBIHR, together with the Université de Moncton and the Vitalité Health Network, and will help accelerate life-changing discoveries for patients in New Brunswick and beyond.
“Investment in cancer research at the NBIHR not only addresses critical needs within our province and region, but also supports discoveries that can be shared around the world,” said Michael Doyle, President of the Sir James Dunn Foundation. “We are pleased to support NBIHR as it continues to strengthen its ability to find healthcare solutions for New Brunswick.”
The unrestricted nature of this gift provides researchers with the flexibility to address immediate scientific needs, pursue emerging opportunities, and strategically leverage additional funding from national granting councils and other research partners. This flexibility creates a strong multiplier effect, maximizing the impact of the Foundation’s investment and advancing cancer research more rapidly.
This latest commitment follows closely on the heels of a landmark $1.75-million funding partnership that brought two state-of-the-art genetic sequencing platforms—the Illumina NovaSeq X Plus and the Illumina NextSeq 2000—to ACRI. This investment coincided with the formal establishment of the NBIHR in October 2025 and further solidifies New Brunswick’s position as a growing centre of excellence in cancer research and innovation.
Dr. Marc Surette, Chief Executive and Scientific Officer of NBIHR, emphasized the importance of flexible funding in advancing scientific discovery. “The unrestricted nature of the donation will provide the Institute with the flexibility to allocate the funds to the most meritorious or impactful projects. Scientists will be enabled to pursue novel avenues of cancer research and in the process contribute to the training of the next generation of cancer researchers.”
Dr. Stephen Lewis, Scientific Director of the IARC, highlighted the impact of this donation on the momentum of research. “This generous donation will accelerate the research at ACRI, providing our scientists with support to pursue new ideas that will lead to breakthroughs in understanding cancer biology,” he said. “This work will ultimately result in better diagnostic tools and more effective treatments for patients.”
Through the combined power of philanthropy and scientific innovation, NBIHR and ACRI continue to drive meaningful advances in cancer research—delivering hope to patients, families, and communities across New Brunswick and around the world.
Michael Cantwell, Vice President of Philanthropy at the CHU Dumont Foundation, underscored the broader significance of the gift. “This investment provides the flexibility needed to pursue transformative research and seize emerging opportunities,” he said. “It also demonstrates the power of philanthropy to accelerate discoveries and build a healthier future for our communities.”
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Information and interview requests: Johanne Lise Landry, director of communications at the CHU Dumont Foundation, 506-543-5911 or johannelise.landry2@fondationdumont.ca