Overview: A transformative gift for cancer research
In a landmark move to accelerate progress against cancer, the late Archie and Irene Verspeeten, through the London Health Sciences Foundation (LHSF), have donated $5 million. Matched by Western University, this funding establishes two endowed research chairs within the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the broader London health research network. The result is a stable, long-term investment designed to drive innovation, accelerate breakthroughs, and ultimately improve the lives of people diagnosed with cancer across Southwestern Ontario and beyond.
“From finding new ways to detect and destroy cancer to understanding how a person’s genetic makeup can impact treatment, our researchers are driving discoveries that offer hope for cancer patients worldwide,” said Dr. John Yoo, dean of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. This generous gift, enabled by the late Archie and Irene Verspeeten and bolstered by LHSF, has the potential to propel cancer research to new heights.
The two Verspeeten chairs: Translational focus and foundational science
The Verspeeten Chair in Translational Cancer Research is designed to bridge laboratory discoveries with clinical application. A clinician researcher specializing in translational and clinical trial research will focus on accelerating cancer diagnosis and care. By fostering collaboration among scientists, clinicians, and health-care teams, the chair will help turn promising innovations into tangible patient benefits. Key aims include:
- Development of cutting-edge diagnostic tools
- Advancement of novel therapeutic approaches
- Improved strategies for personalized cancer care
The second chair, the Verspeeten Chair in Oncology, supports a basic science researcher or clinician with a strong cancer research background. This position targets the biological mechanisms that drive cancer, with the goal of producing discoveries that directly improve patient outcomes.
Leadership: Inaugural appointee and location
Dr. Michael Ott, chair and department head of oncology at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), St. Joseph’s Health Care London, and the Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, has been named the inaugural Verspeeten Chair in Oncology. He will lead research across Western University’s campus and the LHSC Research Institute, positioning London as a national hub for cancer study and patient care innovation. Ott describes the role as a catalyst for novel therapies and treatment pathways that can advance patient clinical trials.
Impact and purpose: From bench to bedside
The endowed chairs respond directly to the urgent need for durable funding in cancer research. They enable recruitment of top talent, investment in cutting-edge tools, and the development of interdisciplinary programs that speed up the translation of discovery into clinical practice. As Dr. Yoo notes, these chairs place Western and its partners at the forefront of a transformative era in cancer research, where improved diagnostics and targeted therapies become routine elements of standard care.
Community impact: A legacy of benefaction and patient support
The philanthropic legacy behind the Verspeeten chairs extends beyond research. The donation also supported the renaming of the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre at LHSC, a symbol of the community’s commitment to cancer care. Archival remarks from LHSF emphasize that Archie’s generosity honors his family’s legacy while strengthening patient support and translational research. The Verspeeten family’s advocacy, including the sentiments shared by Archie’s son, underscores the personal and communal stakes in cancer research.
Collaboration and outlook: A national center of excellence
London, Ontario, already recognized for cancer research, education, and patient care, benefits from the synergy between LHSC, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, and Western University. The new chairs are positioned to leverage this collaboration, enabling world-class talent with permanently invested funds at scale. As researchers harness advances in genomics, diagnostics, and therapeutic development, the region aims to remain on the leading edge of cancer care during a period of rapid scientific progress.
Looking ahead: The promise of transformative science
With these chairs fully endowed, the focus shifts to building high-performing teams, acquiring state-of-the-art equipment, and fostering translational research that translates early discoveries into real-world patient benefits. The endowment structure promises stability in funding, encouraging long-term projects that can withstand fluctuations in grant cycles and allow researchers to pursue ambitious, high-impact goals. In this paradigm, cancer care moves closer to a future where personalized, effective treatments are informed by robust, collaborative science.
