Major Gift Fuels Long-Term Cancer Research at Western University
Canada faces a sobering reality: almost half of the population is expected to receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. In response, a groundbreaking $5 million donation from the late Archie and Irene Verspeeten, channeled through the London Health Sciences Foundation (LHSF) and matched by Western University, has established two new endowed chairs dedicated to transforming cancer care. These chairs, housed within the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, are designed to provide stable, long-term funding that accelerates discovery, translates research into clinical practice, and ultimately improves the lives of people touched by cancer.
Dr. John Yoo, dean of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, emphasized the significance of the gift: “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. We are grateful for this generous and visionary gift from LHSF, made possible by the late Archie and Irene Verspeeten, which will propel cancer research to new heights.”
The Verspeeten Chair in Translational Cancer Research: Bridging Lab and Clinic
The first endowed chair, the Verspeeten Chair in Translational Cancer Research, marks a decisive step toward closing the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and real-world patient care. The position supports a clinician researcher with expertise in translational and clinical trial research. The goal is to speed up the development of diagnostic tools, innovative therapies, and personalized care strategies that can move from bench to bedside more quickly.
By fostering robust collaboration between scientists and healthcare providers, this chair aims to turn promising scientific insights into practical advances that patients can access sooner. The translational focus will enable researchers to design and oversee clinical trials, evaluate emerging treatments, and refine diagnostic techniques, all with the patient’s best interest in mind. In an era where precision medicine is becoming the standard, the Translational Cancer Research chair has the potential to reshape how cancer is detected, monitored, and treated.
The Verspeeten Chair in Oncology: Uncovering Cancer’s Biological Underpinnings
The second endowed chair, the Verspeeten Chair in Oncology, is dedicated to uncovering the fundamental biological mechanisms that drive cancer. This role can be filled by a basic science researcher or a clinician who has a strong foundation in cancer research. The research conducted under this chair is expected to illuminate the pathways and mutations that fuel tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to therapy, providing a solid scientific foundation for future therapeutic innovations.
“We envision this role as a catalyst for innovation, helping to develop new therapies and treatment pathways that can lead to patient clinical trials,” said Dr. Michael Ott, chair and department head of oncology at LHSC, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Ott’s leadership will enable cross-institutional collaboration across Western and LHSC’s Research Institute, amplifying the impact of the research program.
A Community-Driven Legacy with National Reach
The Verspeetens’ generosity, through a donation that also honors their late family members who faced cancer, has grown into a regional centre of excellence. John MacFarlane, president and CEO of LHSF, described the gift as a lasting tribute to the family’s legacy and a powerful engine for advancing cancer care in Southwestern Ontario. The Endowed Chairs helped catalyze the renaming of the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre at LHSC, reinforcing the region’s status as a hub for cancer care, education, and patient support.
London, Ontario, already known for its integrated hospital-research ecosystem, stands at the nexus of collaboration among LHSC, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, and local patient communities. This coordinated network, supported by permanently invested funds, positions Southwestern Ontario to lead in cancer diagnostics and care through a new era of discovery.
A Vision for the Future
As Dr. Yoo notes, the creation of these chairs provides a framework to recruit top talent, equip teams with advanced tools, and harness cutting-edge technologies. The endowed chairs are designed to endure beyond individual grant cycles, ensuring sustained momentum in a field where technological advances—such as next-generation sequencing, novel biomarkers, and targeted therapies—continue to redefine what is possible in cancer treatment.
With this bold investment, Western University and its partners aim to accelerate breakthroughs that reach patients sooner, improve clinical outcomes, and broaden access to high-quality cancer care. The Verspeeten chairs symbolize a community’s commitment to science, hope, and the promise that great philanthropy can translate into real-world impact for today’s patients and tomorrow’s generations.
For the Community, by the Community
The story behind these chairs is, at its core, about partnership—between donors, researchers, clinicians, patients, and the broader Southwestern Ontario community. It is a blueprint for how endowed funding can sustain ambitious research agendas while maintaining a clear focus on patient outcomes.
