Changing the Narrative in Calgary’s Medical Landscape
When Dr. Michael Monument returned to his hometown of Calgary in 2014 after a fellowship at the University of Utah, colleagues warned him that the city might not be the best place to pursue sarcoma research. Sarcoma, a relatively rare family of bone and soft tissue tumors that disproportionately affect younger patients, wasn’t a research specialty at the University of Calgary at the time. Yet Monument was determined to rewrite the story. Through generous donations and community support, he built the Integrated Sarcoma Research Program (iSARP) and became its program director, turning a local initiative into a multidisciplinary center of excellence that offers renewed hope to those affected by sarcoma.
The Foundations of iSARP: From Clinicians to a Full-spectrum Program
In its early days, iSARP consisted primarily of clinicians focused on delivering care. Today, more than 40 professionals—including PhD scientists, clinicians, researchers, data analysts, and trainees—work together across disciplines. The growth reflects a strategic shift: moving from a clinic-centered approach to an integrated research and education hub that aligns patient care with cutting-edge science.
Dr. Monument describes the transformation as essential to addressing a cancer that often resists conventional chemotherapy and can require life-altering surgical interventions. “We needed to expand beyond bedside care to build a program that could test new hypotheses, conduct sophisticated analyses, and train the next generation of sarcoma researchers,” he explains. “That’s how you turn hope into tangible progress.”
Precision Oncology in Action: The Molecular Fingerprint
A defining achievement of iSARP is its focus on precision oncology. The team leverages genomic sequencing to produce what Monument calls a patient’s “molecular fingerprint.” This detailed readout helps researchers identify drugs with a higher probability of success for individual patients, enabling more targeted trials and treatment plans rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
These efforts are supported by sophisticated model systems, including mice models, which allow researchers to test potential therapies in a controlled setting before they reach clinical trials. The goal is not only to extend life but to preserve quality of life by offering treatment options that minimize unnecessary side effects while maximizing effectiveness.
Strategic Giving: The Engine Behind the Breakthroughs
Central to iSARP’s ascent has been strategic fundraising. Grants from entities like the Alberta Cancer Foundation provided the infrastructure needed to sustain ambitious research and collaboration. Donors such as Ron Daye of Rangeland Engineering and Rob Pearson have also played critical roles, underscoring how philanthropy can catalyze scientific discovery in a city that might be underestimated on the national stage.
“In 2014, our sarcoma program was all clinicians,” Monument notes. “Fast forward to 2025. We’ve expanded the clinical program and grown a sarcoma-focused research program, including PhD scientists, highly qualified personnel and research students.” The expansion—from a small team of clinicians to a multidisciplinary network of more than 40 professionals—would not have been possible without the generosity and strategic thinking of donors who believed in the potential of Calgary’s research ecosystem.
Towards New Therapies and Better Outcomes
As iSARP continues to identify specific therapies for sarcoma, those drugs are increasingly positioned for clinical trials and partnerships with pharmaceutical companies. This parallel track—where researchers collaborate with industry partners—aims to accelerate the availability of effective treatments for patients who would otherwise face limited options beyond surgical intervention.
Considered a model of how a city can evolve from merely providing good clinical care to becoming a hub that blends research, education, and patient impact, Calgary’s iSARP is charting a new course. Monument emphasizes that the progress is a collective achievement: “We’ve grown this program in a decade, transforming from a modest center into a program that integrates care with cutting-edge research and training.”
A Decade of Change and a Hope for the Future
Today, iSARP stands as a testament to what concerted effort and strategic philanthropy can accomplish. It has reframed Calgary’s role in sarcoma research—from a quiet backwater to a vibrant, collaborative beacon of discovery. As the team continues to translate molecular insights into real-world therapies, the city’s story serves as a blueprint for communities seeking to redefine their impact on rare cancers.
