New CBCF-Ontario named fellowship program opens new doors, gives advanced training to future generation of breast cancer research and care specialists.
TORONTO, Aug. 16, 2011 /CNW/ - The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Region (CBCF-Ontario) is proud to announce Dr. Andrea Covelli as the first-ever named fellow through a sponsorship initiative between Roche Canada and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Ontario Region.
Dr. Covelli is a general surgery resident at the University of Toronto, and a University of Toronto PhD candidate in Health Policy, Management and Evaluation conducting research through Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.  She was awarded the two-year named fellowship to support her research into why some women with early breast cancer undergo more extensive surgery instead of breast-sparing surgery. Says Dr. Covelli: "I'm excited about this opportunity to contribute to improved surgical management of early breast cancer treatment."
This is the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Region's first Named Fellowship, made possible through a sponsorship generously provided by Roche Canada. Named Fellowships are a new addition to CBCF-Ontario's overarching fellowship program which is designed to help develop the next generation of breast cancer researchers and clinicians.
"The quality of tomorrow's breast cancer researchers and clinicians depends on the support and specialized training professionals receive today," says CBCF-Ontario CEO, Sandra Palmaro. "This new named fellowship with Roche Canada will help build capacity within the health care system in a way that speaks specifically to breast cancer and breast health needs. CBCF-Ontario's priority is to help save, lengthen and improve lives of the 1 in 9 Canadian women who will be diagnosed in their lifetime."
Roche Canada has committed an initial two years of funding to the fellowship program, which will allow promising researchers and health-care providers to pursue advanced training in breast cancer research and clinical care. Roche Canada has prioritized support for research and training in the areas of predictive biomarkers, personalized medicine, systemic/novel therapies, and metastasis.
"We are confident that this inaugural fellowship will benefit Canadians who are affected by breast cancer," says Dr. David Traub, Roche Canada's Medical Director of Oncology.  "We are proud to support the Foundation to help achieve their vision of a future without breast cancer."
Recipients will conduct their research and specialized training under the mentorship of highly accomplished supervisors.  After their training, Physician Fellows will gain expertise to provide specialized care to people diagnosed with breast cancer and, in some cases, establish their own breast cancer research programs.
A call for Fellowship applications went out in the fall. Applications were reviewed in late February using a rigorous, thorough and independent grant review panel process.
About the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Region (CBCF-Ontario)
Founded in 1986, a small but determined group of women and men decided to put a stake in the ground and establish the first volunteer-led grassroots organization in Canada devoted exclusively to breast cancer research, health promotion and advocacy.  Our goals are to reduce the number of people diagnosed with breast cancer, reduce mortality associated with the disease, and to improve quality of life for those affected.  We direct donor dollars to world-class researchers and clinicians who are making groundbreaking progress in breast cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and care. Since 1986, the Foundation has awarded over $84 million in funding for nearly 600 grants, supporting research projects and fellowships. For more information, visit: www.cbcf.org/ontario.
About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world's largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche's personalized healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2010, Roche had over 80,000 employees worldwide and invested over 9 billion Swiss francs in R&D. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.  Roche Canada was founded in 1931. The company employs approximately 900 people across the country, with its pharmaceuticals head office located in Mississauga, Ontario and diagnostics division based in Laval, Quebec. Roche Canada is actively involved in local communities, investing in charitable organizations and partnering with healthcare institutions across the country. For more information, visit www.rochecanada.com.

For further information:
During business hours: Laura Elman, Communications Coordinator, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Region, at 416-815-1313 ext. 512 or lelman@cbcf.org.
After hours and weekends:  Naomi Rose, Director of Marketing & Communications, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Region, at 416-436-0014
Farah Meghji, Roche Canada, at 905-542-5883 or email: farah.meghji@roche.com