TORONTO, ON, SEPTEMBER 12, 2024/insPRESS/ – For nearly three decades, the WICC Ontario Annual Learning Breakfast for Cancer has been a special event where we come together as an industry to support our colleagues affected by cancer and raise crucial funds for cancer research, support, and education. As one of WICC’s most anticipated events, we are excited to announce the speakers for this year’s 27th Annual Learning Breakfast:

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Dr. Joseph Cafazzo of The Centre for Digital Therapeutics at the University Health Network and Jennifer Wilson of the Canadian Cancer Society.

Dr. Joseph Cafazzo is the inaugural Wolfond Chair in Digital Health and Lead at The Centre for Digital Therapeutics at the University Health Network. He serves as a Chair for the Scientific Advisory Committee of Health Canada for Digital Health Technologies, which informs policy, guidelines, and regulatory changes in protecting the public. As a biomedical engineer, Dr. Cafazzo observes healthcare delivery from the inside-out and works on ways to keep people out of the hospital by creating technologies that allow for self-care at home. Over time he has built an intricate network of clinicians, designers, engineers, and researchers, that challenge the norms of healthcare and enable patients and their families. Together they push the boundaries of what’s possible, which has led to the creation of technologies that act to facilitate patient self-care of complex chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, end-stage renal disease and congestive heart failure. At the University of Toronto, Dr. Cafazzo teaches as a Professor at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, and the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, with a focus in the areas of clinical engineering, human factors, and health informatics. His role extends beyond university and hospital settings into the realm of national policy development. As Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee for Health Canada, he has helped shape the policies and regulations that ensure the safe and effective use of digital health technologies in Canada. He has supported Health Canada’s mandate in ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical devices for all Canadians and that their design reflects Canada’s unique demographics

With funding from a CCS/CIHR Cancer Survivorship Team Grant, Dr. Joseph Cafazzo and his team have developed a new model of care that offers people access to more timely and appropriate care with a cancer specialist or nurse right from the comfort of their own homes. They developed a virtual survivorship clinic for prostate cancer survivors in the Toronto area, offering at-home access to care. This means patients can access state-of-the-art medical care, gain access to their test results, and stay connected to their care team. Dr Cafazzo’s team is currently working to expand this virtual clinic model to two new sites in Halifax and Calgary.

Jennifer Wilson is the Vice-President, Research Programs at the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). In this role, she oversees approximately $40 million in cancer research funding annually, driving towards the achievement of CCS’s Research Strategy and Goals to 2040. Prior to joining CCS, Jennifer held research-related positions at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the Ontario HIV Treatment Network, and the University Health Network. Her undergraduate and post-graduate training was undertaken at Queen’s University, Humber College, and Toronto Metropolitan University.

All funds raised at the WICC Ontario Annual Learning Breakfast for Cancer are directly donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. The Society ensures that donations are precisely allocated to research grants with the highest potential for success, guaranteeing effective use of the contributions.

Please click HERE and register today!

WHEN: Thursday, November 14th, 2024

WHERE: The Fairmont Royal York, Toronto, ON – Canada Room

TIME: 7:00am – 7:30am Arrival | 7:30am – 7:45am Breakfast is served |

7:45am – 9:00am Presentations

For more information regarding available Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact: Rose Cugliari |rose.cugliari@aig.com or Donna Cassidy | dcassidy@chubb.com.

How to Support:

WICC is looking for industry sponsors to support this important event as they work towards their goal of raising funds to help more Canadians living with cancer. With a variety of sponsorship levels that focus on brand recognition, WICC is excited to provide organizations with opportunities to differentiate themselves by contributing to this industry-supported event while highlighting their commitment to fighting cancer. Please click HERE to review the exciting sponsorship opportunities.

To volunteer at this event, click here for details.

About WICC

Since its inception in 1996, WICC and the women and men of the property and casualty insurance industry in Canada have raised over $20 million nationally in support of cancer research and education. WICC’s mission is to unite and engage the Canadian insurance community to fund cancer research, educate, and support those affected by cancer and improve their lives. More information about WICC can be found at wicc.ca.