Lifetime Achievement Award

2013 Recipient

Brenda L. Gallie, MD, FRCSC
Senior Scientist, Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network
Affiliate Scientist, Division of Visual Science, Toronto Western Research Institute

Dr. Brenda Gallie is an ophthalmologist who has focused on the rare cancer in children, retinoblastoma. She is Director of the Retinoblastoma Program at SickKids Hospital and Professor of Ophthalmology, Molecular Genetics, and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Senior Scientist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Affiliated Faculty in Techna. Dr. Gallie was named Distinguished Scientist of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and received the Order of Ontario for implementing genetic knowledge in care of children with retinoblastoma across Canada.

Dr. Gallie and her research team for over 30 years have contributed to recognition that cancer is a genetic disease. They detailed mechanisms and mutated genes that predispose patients to multiple cancers, when normal cells mutate to premalignant to cancer. In order to deliver this knowledge to cost-effective health care and improve outcomes, Dr. Gallie developed a model of public-private partnership integrating genome knowledge into patient care. To improve quality of complex care, Dr. Gallie and the Techna Health Informatics Research team have built eCare, a disease-specific point-of-care tool extending the health record, and providing highest quality clinical data for research.

Dr. Gallie has focused on the rare cancer of the eye, retinoblastoma. Not satisfied that only 8% of the affected children lucky to live in developed countries have access to effective care, she has turned to a global view, where 8000 new children each year are affected by retinoblastoma. With impetus from all stakeholders, especially survivors of retinoblastoma, the One Retinoblastoma World concept was launched in 2012 with participation of more than 25 countries. With leadership by Daisy's Eye Cancer Fund co-founded by Dr. Gallie, National Strategies to address research, evidence-based care guidelines and socio-economic hurdles, are modeling on the 6 years of experience in Kenya. For example, the eCareretinoblastoma database is functioning on a national server in Kenya, empowering multidisciplinary care close to home. Molecular personalized care is reaching out to families in India, China, Africa and other countries.