Founded in 2004 and located in the Deeley Lab at BC Cancer - Victoria, The Tumour Tissue Repository (TTR) is an international leader for cancer research biobanking. Led by Dr. Peter Watson, the TTR maintains an extensive collection of tumour samples and other biospecimens and data which are used to support cancer research projects.
“The TTR team work tirelessly in the background of patient care, and yet their innovative work is changing how we treat cancer and conduct research. This is directly leading to improvement in patient outcomes, and decreasing the burden of cancer,” says Dr. Jason Hart, executive medical director of BC Cancer – Victoria, and nominator for the group PHSA+ Award. “The desire to make a difference and improve outcomes for patients with cancer is the motivation that keeps this team continually pushing the frontiers of biobanking. The work of this small group has far-reaching implications. They are making a global impact. They epitomize the word ‘teamwork’, because their achievements would not be possible without the partnerships and collaborations with patients, physicians, lab technicians, researchers, and administrators, locally and around the world.”
More than 50 research publications have come from work supported by the TTR including papers by our leading researchers in BC Cancer that ranked in the Top 10 medical discoveries in 2011 and 2012 by Time Magazine and the BBC. The TTR group have also published extensively about the process of high quality biobanking, establishing them as world leaders in their field.
“As a team we are thrilled and honoured to receive this recognition,” says TTR team’s project nurse Jodi LeBlanc. “It felt great for our whole team to receive the news. We were very pleased to have been selected for the PHSA+ award and to have our productivity, achieved through our emphasis on teamwork, acknowledged across the PHSA.” Jodi works with patients and stakeholders and finds her role in advancing cancer research exceptionally rewarding. “Making a connection with patients in person or by phone and providing them the opportunity to participate in the TTR is at the top of my list of why I come to work,” she shares.
Join us in congratulating the TTR team for their hard work and dedication, and the positive impact they have to improve outcomes for BC Cancer patients.
Take time to recognize the TTR group and other PHSA+ Award winners by sending kudos, an e-card, picking up the phone or saying congrats in-person (with some distance!)
