Fighting cancer.
We master challenges. We take on problems.
We handle difficulties.
But cancer?
It is a full-on fight.
Join Dr Jonathan Irish—a Senior Scientist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Director of the Guided Therapeutics Core at the University Health Network (UHN),—as he candidly explains how the Guided Therapeutics (GTx) program helps surgeons adeptly target and kill cancerous cells, while salvaging the normal surrounding cells. GTx markedly improves patient survival and enhances quality of life.
The Fight To End Cancer raises funds year-round for The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, directly contributing to the GTx Program.
The Fight To End Cancer (FTEC) proudly supports one of the world’s most innovative cancer research initiatives: the Guided Therapeutics (GTx) Program, based out of the GTx Lab in Toronto’s MaRS Centre. With nearly $4 million raised to date, FTEC’s contributions directly fuel this pioneering work, helping advance the future of precision cancer treatment.
Established in 2006, the GTx Program is an extraordinary collaboration among scientists, engineers, and clinicians dedicated to developing cutting-edge, real-time navigation systems and nanomedicine solutions. One of the program’s most recent milestones is Health Canada’s approval to initiate clinical trials for the first-in-human use of porphysomes—light-activated nanoparticles – marking a significant step toward bringing groundbreaking research to patient care.
The tools and technologies developed by the GTx Program are transforming cancer surgeries and improving patient outcomes across a broad range of cancers, including head and neck, skull base, lung, prostate, gastrointestinal, and spine cancers. These tools are also helping us enter a new era where precision-guided, minimally invasive cancer treatments are becoming a possibility. These advancements are ushering in a new era where precision-guided, minimally invasive cancer treatments could become a reality.
Photo: In 2023, Jennifer Huggins and Virgil Barrow were honoured for reaching over $2 million donated to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
Under the leadership of Dr. Jonathan Irish, a Senior Scientist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Director of the Guided Therapeutics Core at the University Health Network (UHN), the GTx team continues to push the boundaries of personalized cancer care, reducing surgical impact, and preserving quality of life.
Beyond fundraising, the Fight To End Cancer is about action and awareness. Our motto—Defeat Is Not An Option—reflects the relentless spirit behind every dollar raised and every life changed. With the dedication of our fighters, ambassadors, and supporters worldwide, we are proud to stand with leaders like Dr. Irish and the entire team at The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the top five cancer research institutions in the world.
Together, we fight. Together, we end cancer.
The Fight To End Cancer has one main mission: to end cancer in our lifetime.
Raising funds for The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation at University Health Network (UHN) is a major component of our work, but initiating conversation and taking action are just as important. Our motto is simple: defeat is not an option.
Our Annual Boxing Gala is the “Main Event” celebration of our fundraising efforts. Ten fighters with no previous boxing experience take on the years-long challenge of training and fundraising to end cancer. It takes a whole community to win this fight. Let’s support these fighters and help to end cancer.
Where are the funds raised going? The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Grafton Apparel has been a partner of the Fight To End Cancer since 2014. In 2017, Grafton became a presenting partner in combination with launching their “Wear Your Support Campaign”. Over the years, the incredible team have raised $1.1 million dollars in direct donations to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
[Photo Credit: Diego Alvarez/Grafton Apparel — February 2023, the Grafton Team Were honoured at The Princess Margaret with a cheque presentation and tour of the research facility]
The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre sees over 1000 patients every day. That is over 1000 lives affected every day. Princess Margaret delivers diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up care to close to 200,000 patients and their families every year. There are 12 site groups and 26 specialty clinics, clinical space, inpatient beds, linear accelerators, a state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance-guided Radiation Therapy (MRgRT) suite, and two Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion units, making it one of the largest comprehensive cancer treatment facilities in the world, and the largest radiation treatment centre in Canada.
And all that breakthrough research, exemplary care, and innovations cost money.
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation is Canada’s largest and leading cancer charity, dedicated to raising funds for the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the world’s top five cancer research centres known for its game-changing scientific achievements and exceptional patient treatment and care. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.thepmcf.ca
The Fight To End Cancer (FTEC) has raised over $3 million—and counting—for PMCF. FTEC is proud to support the lifesaving research at The Princess Margaret and the innovators there, such as Dr Jonathan Irish.
Dr Jonathan Crawford Irish
Dr Jonathan Crawford Irish is the Kevin and Sandra Sullivan Chair in Surgical Oncology at The Princess Margaret, and the Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Head of the Division of Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto. Dr Irish leads a multidisciplinary program in Guided Therapeutics at UHN and is currently leading the Guided Therapeutics Core, and is the Director of Clinical Faculty for the TECHNA Institute at UHN. In this capacity, he leads a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, engineers, physicists, and nanoparticle biochemists in the development of novel nanomedicine-based contrast agents, which, in combination with near real-time navigation and tracking systems, can create innovative solutions for minimal-access surgical approaches in cancer therapy.
Dr Irish is a force of power and does incredible work for both cancer research and treatment through the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
Dr Irish on his work and the contributions from the FTEC
“The Guided Therapeutics program [helps us to] completely remove a cancer and yet preserve the normal surrounding tissue—improve the quality of life.
“The fact of the matter is that cancer research is really how we move the needle in cancer survival…. The needle is not moved by one Eureka event of discovery, but by many events, small discoveries, built one on another, like building blocks, such that now we have made real impact…of moving that needle of survival for cancer patients.
“That needle movement didn’t happen accidentally. It happened because of investment in research enabled by philanthropic events, philanthropic support…. The Fight to End Cancer is such a great event…. Thank you to the sponsors…that have really engaged and re-engaged in the Fight to End Cancer…their sponsorship will move our needle and continue to move our needle at the Princess Margaret forward for the survival of our patients.”
FTEC Gala & Corporate Events
Established in 2011, our gala event features white-collar men and women stepping into the ring for the first time. The gala includes an elegant gourmet dinner, various entertainers, and an evening of Olympic-style boxing. This unique experience has quickly become one of Toronto’s most anticipated events.
Our corporate event, Friday Night Fights To End Cancer, showcases amateur athletes in intense competition. Both events provide an authentic display of Olympic-style boxing, the result of rigorous training and dedicated fundraising efforts. So far, we have raised nearly $3 million for cancer research, with all proceeds benefiting the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
The fight represents months of hard work, dedication, and fundraising to support cancer research. Brave men and women battle in the ring, all while continuing to raise funds and hope for The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. This year, we aim to reach $4 million in donations, with 100% of all proceeds going to the foundation.
Join us in the fight! Let’s end cancer in our lifetime.
Kingsway Boxing Club
Kingsway Boxing Club was founded by Jennifer Huggins and Virgil Barrow. Over the years they have grown from a 14×14 boxing studio to encompass two locations including a full boxing gym facility with an Olympic-sized ring. The sport of boxing is represented through recreational community programs and amateur competitive programs. In their generosity to give back to the community, Jennifer and Virgil introduced the very first FTEC to raise funds to empower experts like Dr Irish in order to battle cancer. Watch Documentary
DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION!
Media Contact:
Jennifer Huggins
Executive Director
Phone: +1.416.666.9314
jennifer@fighttoendcancer.com
Important Links:
Fight to End Cancer: Visit Fight To End Cancer
Kingsway Boxing Club: More About Kingsway Boxing Club
Event Tickets: Register Free
Important Dates:
–> Official Media Day: Thurs. May 22, 2025 6pm – 8pm | Request Media Access
–> 2025 Charity Boxing Gala: Sat. May 31, 2025 5pm – 11 pm | Old Mill Toronto Request Media Access
Press Materials:
Everything You Need To Know About #FTEC2025
The Fight To End Cancer (FTEC) is profoundly grateful for the unwavering support of our presenting partners: Grafton Apparel, Landscape Plus Ltd., and our newest partner, APEX Mobile Media.
Since 2014, Grafton Apparel has been a force in the community, contributing over $2 million to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation through innovative, year-round initiatives.
Landscape Plus Ltd., under the leadership of Jim Mosher and family, has been instrumental since 2012, helping to raise over $3 million in direct donations. Their dedication honours personal connections to the cause and strengthens our community impact.
Elevating their commitment, APEX Mobile Media, a key sponsor since 2020, has stepped into the role of Presenting Partner for 2025. Their global reach and expertise in mobile advertising are set to amplify FTEC’s mission, bringing the fight against cancer to a worldwide audience. Together, these partnerships embody our collective resolve to knock out cancer in our lifetime.
About The Fight To End Cancer
The Fight To End Cancer (FTEC) is a year-round initiative driven by ambassadors, sponsors, and volunteers worldwide. Since our inception in 2012, we have donated over $3 million to the cause. Funds raised by FTEC go directly to the GTX Program at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Each year, we honour the hard work and dedication of our FTEC family through alternating events: a black-tie charity boxing gala and our newest initiative, The Friday Night Fights ‘To End Cancer’. Our mission is to raise funds for cancer research year-round with the support of the local community and business owners. Together, we will end cancer in our lifetime. Learn More About The Fight To End Cancer.
About The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation at University Health Network raises funds for breakthrough research, exemplary teaching and compassionate care at Princess Margaret Hospital and its research arm, the Ontario Cancer Institute, which now includes The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute and The Campbell Family Breast Cancer Research Institute. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.thepmcf.ca
