Board of Directors
DAVID J. STEWART, M.D.
CHAIR and CO-FOUNDER
Dr. Stewart‘s major focus is on lethal disease treatments, specifically issues that impede cancer clinical research and bureaucratic red-tape that slows regulatory approval for and distribution of emerging therapies. His experience in both the American and Canadian health care systems has provided him a unique perspective on how common regulatory factors seriously impair access to effective new therapies and drive inordinately high clinical research costs in both countries.
He has spent his career at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX) –where he received his training in medical oncology – and The Ottawa Hospital / the University of Ottawa. Dr. Stewart first moved from MD Anderson to the University of Ottawa and the Cancer Care Ontario Ottawa Regional Cancer Center in 1980. He served as Chief of Medical Oncology at the Ottawa Civic Hospital from 1989 to 1999. Dr. Stewart returned to the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center from 2003 to 2011 where he was Chief of the Section of Experimental Therapeutics (2003-2005), Chair Ad Interim (2005), Deputy Chair (2006-2009), and Director of Translational Research (2009-2011). He was also the Principal Investigator of MD Anderson’ phase II N01 contract with the National Cancer Institute and was the clinical leader of a number of other federally-funded translational research projects.
In 2011, he returned to Ottawa from MD Anderson to become Head of the Division of Medical Oncology at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa. He received his MD degree from Queen’s University, Kingston, followed by training in Internal Medicine at McGill University and in medical oncology in the Department of Developmental Therapeutics at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.
He has more than 300 peer-reviewed publications, with a research focus on phase I and II trials of new anticancer agents, translational research and resistance to anticancer agents.
His publications include (among others) The Urgent Need for Clinical Research Reform to Permit Faster, Less Expensive Access to New Therapies for Lethal Diseases (Clin Cancer Res; 21(20); 4561–8. 2015 AACR); Cancer: the Road to Amiens (Journal of Clinical Oncology 27(3):328-33, 1/2009), Equipoise Lost: Ethics, Costs and the Regulation of Cancer Clinical Research (Journal of Clinical Oncology 28(17):2925-35, 2010), Fool’s Gold, Lost Treasures and the Randomized Clinical Trial (BMC Cancer 2013 Apr;13(1):193), and Redefining Cancer: a new paradigm for better and faster treatment innovation. (J Popul Ther Clin Pharmacol 2014 Feb 23; 21(1): e56-e65). His experience in both the American and Canadian health care systems has provided him a unique perspective on how common regulatory factors seriously impair access to effective new therapies and drive inordinately high clinical research costs in both countries.
JOHN-PETER BRADFORD, FCMC, PH.D.
CO-CEO and CO-FOUNDER
A cancer survivor and caregiver, John-Peter is passionate getting better treatments faster for people with lethal diseases – and healthcare policies that help or hinder achieving this. His specific focus is the need for regulatory, clinical research and reimbursement reform, especially for precision and other emerging new therapies, including gene-targeted agents, immunotherapies, CRISPR-based therapies and others.
He has served as Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee of Lung Cancer Canada, a member of the Research Advisory Group of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and the Cancer Care Advisory Committee of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. His book, Journeys in Cancerland, with Lisa Newman, was published in 2012. It is based on his experiences and observations of the healthcare system as a cancer patient. He has also published in magazines, newspapers, literary periodicals and peer-reviewed scientific journals on a range of topics including regulatory and healthcare reform.
In the public sector, John-Peter has been principal consultant in restructuring the infrastructures of the House of Commons, the Supreme Court of Canada, the Medical Research Council of Canada, The Immigration and Refugee Review Board of Canada, HRDC, the Canadian Commercial Corporation, to name a few.
He coordinated the development of the Inuit land claim that was presented to the Trudeau government in 1976 and was the basis for the eventual formation of Nunavut, Canada’s newest territory. In the private sector, he has served as CEO and board member for publicly listed and private companies, as well as strategic advisor to senior management and deal maker. He has helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars.
John-Peter is a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Ontario (FCMC). He holds a B.A. (Psychology) from Fairfield University in Connecticut and an M.A. (Experimental Psychology) from the University of Toronto, where he also successfully completed all requirements but dissertation for a doctorate, specializing in psychopharmacology with a minor in neuroanatomy. During his tenure at the University of Toronto, he taught and held Province of Ontario and NRC Fellowships, and was nominated for a Woodrow Wilson Dissertation Fellowship. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and Community Services.
ANRIS KICA
CO-CEO
Anris has strong motivation for meaningful health policy reform that stems from the courage, resilience and tenacity of cancer patients and survivors close to him. He is devoted to improving health systems and expanding access to diagnostics and therapeutics for Canadian patients.
His journey with the Life-Saving Therapies Network began in 2018, when he facilitated the LSTN
Roundtable Event. He has drawn from his aptitude for government relations and his efforts to promote the intensification of basic and applied research while serving as Senior Advisor and supporting LSTN’s policy objectives and day-to-day operations. As Co-Chair for the Cancer Action Now Alliance, Anris promotes direct engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the groundswell of patient voices reaches decision-makers and those who influence them.
Anris has conducted policy research and strategic planning while advising elected officials and candidates seeking election. He has also endeavored to affect policy change towards economic integration of renewable energy and the preservation and inclusion of Indigenous languages in Canadian education and healthcare. He has obtained B.Sc. degrees in Biology and Biopharmaceutical Science from the University of Ottawa.
LINDA EAGEN
BOARD MEMBER
Linda is a dynamic, results oriented, community leader who has a strong track record of performance in the not-for-profit sector. Linda began her career as a student of psychology and emergency medical care. Her passion for helping others then led her to the fundraising profession. Over 20 years she has raised more than $150 million for social, arts, health and educational organizations. In 2002 she obtained an MBA from the University of Ottawa.
For the last ten years, Linda has been the President and CEO of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. She and her team have raised $50 million for cancer care and research in Eastern Ontario. In 2011, the Cancer Foundation opened the doors to Canada’s first cancer Survivorship Centre. The Centre’s team of professional Cancer Coaches now provides health and social care to people with cancer, their families and caregivers. This innovative community service complements the work of medical professionals helping people take an active part in their health and wellness.
Linda and her team have been recognized for their outstanding leadership and community service receiving prestigious awards from the University of Ottawa, the Chamber of Commerce, le Regroupement des Gens d’Affaires and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
PATRICK SULLIVAN
BOARD MEMBER
Patrick Sullivan is a passionate childhood cancer advocate, the President and a founder of the Team Finn Foundation, and Co-Founder of Ac2orn. Patrick became an advocate after his twin son Finn was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma in 2007 and heard the word “incurable” for the first time in May 2008. His desire to make a change in cancer research is in part an effort to pay an un-payable debt to his son Finn and to Change the Stories of other Finn’s.
As President and Director of the Team Finn Foundation, the charity has raised almost $3 million dollars for cutting edge childhood cancer research. The Team Finn Foundation partners with pediatric cancer researchers and clinicians both by funding and leveraging fundraising through MITACs. The Team Finn Foundation supports and advocates the role of science and is committed to communicating the importance of the scientific process.
Patrick participates in several national and international initiatives that include Chair of the Bio-CanRX Cancer Stakeholder Alliance, Director of Childhood Cancer Canada, Director of Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation, Director on the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance, Co-Lead of the Terry Fox Research Profyle initiative, member of the CTCG Lay Representative Committee, and Lead Advocate on the St. Baldrick’s/Stand-Up to Cancer Immunogenomics Dream Team.
COLIN COOKE
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Colin is an experienced relationship manager and not-for-profit business leader with expertise in financial services, board-level management and operational leadership. For example, he has served as Interim President of the North-South Institute and Chair of the Ottawa Chamber Music Society. In his work with not-for-profit organizations, Colin draws on his extensive background in private banking and wealth management in the National Capital region. He is currently developing several NFP board governance initiatives and working closely with John-Peter to achieve the goals and objectives of LSTN. His education includes a B.A. in Political Science from Carleton University, a Certificate in Business Administration from Ottawa University and a number of professional certifications in financial services.
ROBERT A. PHILLIPS, PH.D.
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Phillips has been a long-time advocate for effective and innovative cancer research. He was a founder, President and CEO of the Ontario Cancer Research Network (OCRN), a province-wide initiative to accelerate the development of new cancer therapies. As OCRN’s director, he created funding programs that allowed clinical trials sites to recruit new staff and oversaw the creation of a training program for clinical trials professionals, a website to help patients locate clinical trials and a research ethics board that reduces workload at the institutional level. All of these programs have flourished, and 13 per cent of Ontario cancer patients now enroll in clinical trials – up from just 5 per cent before OCRN was established.
He was the Deputy Director (COO) of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) after it merged with OCRN, the CEO of the Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg, and the Executive Director of the National Cancer Institute. He has also served on a number of boards including the Canadian cancer Society. To honour his contributions to cancer research, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) created the Robert A. Phillips Annual Lecture, the fifth of which was given in 2014. Dr. Phillips has also received the R.M. Taylor Medal and Award from the Canadian Cancer Society and the National Institute of Canada.
JAY RICHARDSON, CPA
BOARD MEMBER
Jay Richardson, a cancer survivor, is a retired Partner of KPMG (UK) and Clarkson Gordon Arthur Young (Canada and Singapore – now Ernst & Young). Since his retirement from KPMG in 1993 his principal occupation has been as Managing Partner of James A. Richardson & Partner, a boutique firm of company doctors. As well, he has served as Board member and Audit Committee member and/or Chairman and/or CEO and/or CFO of over a dozen listed public companies, often in conjunction with his company doctor practice, most significantly including Chairman of The Argus Corporation. He has served on the Board of over a dozen charitable organizations, presently including Textile Museum of Canada, RiverBrink Art Museum and Craft Ontario and chairs the Weir Foundation.