The Canadian MPN Group was founded by hematologists working in the field of MPNs as the first national collaborative effort between health professionals in Canada to improve MPN patient care and research.
The beginnings of the Canadian MPN Group lie in a discussion at a hematology meeting between several of our now National Executives on MPN patient care and research in Canada. Their discussion led them to the topic of the then current lack of a collaborative physician-driven MPN organization in Canada and the benefits it would bring to improve the care of MPN patients.
Since this meeting in 2011 the generous support of Mr. Ed Pascal has enabled us to establish the Canadian MPN Group as a national charitable organization in 2013 and we have, with support from our donors, pursued our mission of improving MPN research and care of patients with MPNs.
In the few short years since our establishment, the Canadian MPN Group has contributed to physician education with our publications on MPN treatment guidelines1,2 and our network of MPN physicians is continuing to expand, benefiting both patient care and research collaboration. With these and our ongoing efforts in MPN care, research and professional collaboration, we continue to work towards our ultimate goal of comprehensive access to good quality care for Canadians with MPNs.
We thank all of supporters. We are deeply grateful for all of our many funders, without whom the Canadian MPN Group would not be possible. Our thanks in particular go to Mr. Ed Pascal for his support in establishing the Canadian MPN Group and to Mr. Tony Comper for funding the current version of this website. We also thank Novartis for their support, including for the development of the MPN eSIMPLE app.
Shireen Sirhan, MD, FRCPC, MSc
Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology - McGill University, Montreal
President, Canadian MPN Group
Dr. Sirhan is a Hematologist and Medical Oncologist . Together with Dr. Jaroslav Prchal , she established the myeloproliferative neoplasms clinic at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. She completed her medical school, internal medicine and hematology and oncology training at McGill University. She spent some time working in the area of myeloproliferative neoplasms with Dr. Tefferi at the Mayo clinic. She also holds an MSc. degree in Clinical trials from the University of London.
Vikas Gupta, MD, FRCP, FRCPath
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto
Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Gupta is currently a member of the leukemia program at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, and Associate Professor in Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
His clinical research activities are focused on developing novel transplant and non-transplant based treatment strategies for patients with myeloid malignancies, in particular Philadelphia-negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN). He also serves as member of advisory board for MPD-RC, and is actively involved in the committee work of the Centre for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR). He has authored many publications in the field of myeloid malignancies and MPNs.
Lynda Foltz, MD, FRCPC
St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver
Dr. Foltz completed medical school, internal medicine residency training and a hematology subspecialty fellowship at UBC. She is a Clinical Associate Professor in the UBC Division of Hematology and Head of the St. Paul’s Hospital Division of Hematology. Her area of special interest is myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). She is a principal investigator for MPN clinical trials and is a founding and executive member of the Canadian MPN Group.
Brian Leber, MD, FRCP
Juravinski Cancer Center, Hamilton
Dr. Brian Leber received his undergraduate, medical and internal medicine training at McGill University before coming to McMaster University for hematology residency. After a research fellowship in Molecular Biology at the University of London (Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine), he returned to McMaster where he is now Professor of Medicine. He is consultant Hematologist at the Juravinski Cancer Centre and Attending Physician at Hamilton Health Sciences, and is Co- director of the Heamtopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Programme. His clinical interests include myeloid malignancies and marrow failure syndromes, and his research interests are centred on the biochemical regulation of programmed cell death (apoptosis).
Sonia Cerquozzi, MD, FRCPC
Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, University of Calgary
Dr. Cerquozzi is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary. She completed her Internal Medicine and Hematology training at the University of Calgary in 2015. She proceeded to an advanced hematalogy fellowship in myeloid disorders at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota with a clinical and research focus in myeloproliferative neoplasms. She has been at the University of Calgary since January 2017, and has a myeloid malignancy practice at both the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (academic) and Peter Lougheed Centre (community) with clinical and research interests in MPNs, including rarer disorders such as systemic mastocytosis.
Dawn Maze, MD
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto
Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
Dr. Dawn Maze is a clinician investigator at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
She is a member of the Leukemia Site Group and the Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) Program and has a clinical research interest in myeloid malignancies. Her primary research focus is in MPN, particularly in risk stratification and management approaches early in the disease course and in the adolescent/young adult population. She is particularly interested in optimizing pregnancy outcomes in this population. She is also actively involved in clinical trials and projects aiming to refine risk stratification in acute myeloid leukemia.
Dr. Maze is an active member of the Canadian MPN Group. She is the Medical Director for the Malignant Hematology Day Unit at Princess Margaret and the Program Director for the Leukemia Fellowship Program.
Mr. Ed Pascal
Kombi Sports
Montreal, Quebec
“When I found the MPN Clinic at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal I was someone who had been diagnosed with PV and wanted patients with similar disorders to get testing and treatment by Hematologists who were familiar with these blood disorders. Now this group of Hematologists together with others across Canada have formed the Canadian MPN Group to improve the care and research in patients with MPN. Through the leadership of Dr. Vikas Gupta and the collaboration of the other Hematologists forming the nucleus of Leadership and Governance for the Group it is expected that diagnosis, treatment and eventual cure will be made available to all including education and information of this little known but ever prevalent disease."
Sincerely,
Edward Pascal -Kombi Sports Inc.
Mr. Tony Comper
Past president and CEO, BMO Financing Group
Toronto, Ontario
“Rare diseases such as Myeloproliferative Neoplasms can be extremely challenging. Very often, many patients do not have access to appropriate experts for seeking advice regarding diagnosis and treatment. We congratulate Canadian MPN group on this important initiative of bringing health care professionals interested in care of MPNs together, and improving the access to novel treatments. We are fully supportive of the collaborative activities of the Canadian MPN group.”
Tony Comper
Ms. Lisa Lacamel
Patient Support Group Coordinator
Vancouver, British Columbia
“As MPN patients, we are grateful for the focus and attention from MPN professionals. Thank you to Dr. Foltz and the newly formed Canadian MPN Group who are dedicating their efforts to improve care and research that will translate into better patient outcomes for all of us.”
Lisa Lacamell
Dr. Issac Odame, MD, FRCPC, FRCPath
Director, Division of Hematology, University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
“I applaud the Canadian MPN Group for launching this collaborative effort to promote access to quality comprehensive care for MPN patients and advance clinical and laboratory research in the field. Congratulations on this great achievement and I wish the Canadian MPN Group all the vey best for success!”
Issac Odame
Dr. Shannon Bates, MDCM, MSc, FRCPC
Director, Division of Hematology, McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario
“Myeloproliferative neoplasms pose a particular challenge for physicians and affected patients. Although these cancers are rare, their incidence is increasing as the population ages. There are important gaps in our understanding of the causes, opportunities for prevention, and optimal treatment strategies for these conditions. Moreover, few physicians have had the chance to diagnose or provide care for a patient with a myeloproliferative neoplasm. Outside of specialists who treat these patients, most family physicians and many hematologists have no or little experience in caring for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. Consequently, patients may experience delayed diagnosis and may not receive the support or treatment that they need. Finally, there are very few organizations dedicated to myeloproliferative neoplasms and those that exist are often based in other countries and not attuned to the Canadian healthcare system and the needs of our healthcare providers and patients.
However, there is good news! Research is leading to improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of these cancers. A national network like the Canadian Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Group has a real opportunity to improve research into these conditions and the care of affected patients by promoting and facilitating collaborative research; patient access to high quality, effective care; patient and healthcare provider education and treatment guidelines.
I have no doubt that your group will make an important difference to the wellbeing of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. I am fully supportive of your exciting endeavour!”
Shannon Bates
Dr. Aaron Schimmer, MD, PhD, FRCPC
President, Canadian Hematology Society
Ottawa, Ontario
“The Canadian Hematology Society is delighted to endorse the Canadian MPN group. Your group is comprised of internationally-recognized experts in the field of myeloproliferative disorders. The Canadian MPN group is making significant contributions to the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder. We are also pleased to note your collaborative efforts to bring together health care professionals interested in patient care, education, and research related to MPN. We wish you the best as your move forward with your endeavours.”
Aaron Schimmer, MD, PhD, FRCP
Novartis
Novartis Oncology proudly recognizes the Canadian MPN Group for its significant contributions to the field of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). The group’s unwavering commitment to advancing research, improving patient care, and fostering a supportive community for those affected by MPNs is truly commendable. Their initiatives have paved the way for innovative treatments and better patient outcomes, making a profound impact on the lives of many Canadians.
We are honored to be a supporter of the Canadian MPN Group and deeply value our partnership. By collaborating with this dedicated organization, we are able to further our shared mission of enhancing the quality of life for MPN patients through cutting-edge research and comprehensive care. Together, we are making strides towards a future where all individuals affected by MPNs receive the best possible support and treatment. Novartis Oncology looks forward to continuing this invaluable partnership and contributing to the remarkable work of the Canadian MPN Group.