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Verspeeten family makes
Archie Verspeeten Photo: London Health Sciences Foundation ÁÅðÚÆ òðÃêÆàé åÃòÆð: ñ³çé ÇÃÔå öòÅò» Õ¶ºçð Verspeeten family makes $3-million donation to build cancer treatment center
A $3-million donation from a trucking industry pioneer will help to develop Canada’s first clinical genome center for the treatment of cancer and other genetic diseases.
Archie Verspeeten, who founded Verspeeten Cartage in 1953 with an $800 loan, made the donation to create the Archie and Irene Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre at London Health Sciences Centre. His late wife Irene died of cancer, as did their son Alan.
“This means more to my family than words can convey,” said son Ron Verspeeten, speaking on behalf of the family at a virtual event Oct .14. “My family has been greatly impacted by cancer over the years, so we understand the pain that goes along with this diagnosis.”
“The creation of the Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre will have a profound effect in the lives of patients with complex diseases not only in our community, but also in communities around the world,” said John MacFarlane, president and CEO at the London Health Sciences Foundation. “It is because of Archie and Irene’s vision and deep-rooted passion to find a cure to end cancer that this Centre is possible.”
Genomic profiling allows doctors to create personalized treatment options based on a patient’s DNA. Cancer, epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders and developmental disabilities are some of the illnesses that can be treated this way.
“This is the first facility of its kind in Canada. It integrates the advanced translational research capabilities of a genome centre within the highly standardized and regulated clinical diagnostic laboratory environment,” said Dr. Bekim Sadikovic, scientific and clinical director of the Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre.
“I am so humbled that we are able to support launching the first Clinical Genome Centre in Canada,” said Archie Verspeeten.
The lead gift of $3 million sets the groundwork for the Centre, but the total cost will be about $10 million. Further fundraising is underway.
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