Waves of Hope launches $150,000 fundraiser for Brandon University breast cancer research

Waves of Hope launched a multi-year campaign called Hope in Our Backyard to raise $150,000 for Brandon University's breast cancer research lab by 2029 and donated the first $25,000 at a conference that drew more than 100 people.

A Westman dragon boat team of survivors and supporters has organized a conference and launched a major fundraising effort for local breast cancer research. The event, Waves of Hope: A Day of Hope and Education, brought together patients, clinicians and educators at Brandon University. The fundraiser, named Hope in Our Backyard, sets a goal of raising $150,000 for the university's breast cancer research lab by 2029. The team donated the first $25,000 at the conference. Key details: - The conference drew more than 100 people and combined education with community connection. - Hope in Our Backyard is a multi-year campaign to raise $150,000 for Brandon University's Cancer Cell and Molecular Research Laboratory by 2029. - Waves of Hope donated an initial $25,000 at the launch event. - Dr. Mousumi Majumder founded the research lab in 2023 and said pledged funding would allow more time in the lab rather than on grant-seeking. - Waves of Hope is a dragon boat team formed in 1999; team manager Michelle Gerrard is a 23-year survivor of triple negative breast cancer and described the team as an important source of mutual support. Summary: The campaign ties community fundraising and education to support for local breast cancer research and survivor networks. The initial donation and conference aim to strengthen links among researchers, clinicians and people affected by breast cancer while providing ongoing fundraising over several years. The effort will continue toward the stated $150,000 target through 2029.