Disseminated on Behalf of: Market One
Mining titan Lukas Lundin may have lost his battle with brain cancer, but the fight against this devastating disease continues with a fierce determination thanks to the commitment of his family, friends, resource industry colleagues and the medical fraternity.
Their unwavering resolve was on full display at the recent inaugural Lundin Cancer Fund Charity Gala in Vancouver, where a whopping $8 million — half from the Lundin family — was raised in a single event to advance research into glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive brain tumour in adults.
The gala attended by approximately 280 people, was an evening that echoed the indomitable entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit of Lukas and likely set a Canadian record for brain cancer fundraising.
A live auction including Lucara diamonds from one of the Lundin ventures in Botswana, Africa and a series of exotic adventures, alone raised nearly $450,000. A touching component of the evening was the ‘Lukas Circle’ — a paddle raise where patrons showcased their generosity, raising more than $1.5 million. Even before the gala evening started, donors had already pledged $1.9 million.
“It was an incredible event for an incredible cause inspired by an incredible story,” said Caroline Peng, Lundin Group’s Senior Director of Development and Events, who orchestrated the evening with her team.
“The gala couldn’t have been hosted without the support our key corporate sponsors and transformational pre-pledge donors — a huge thank you to them,” said Peng, adding
the net proceeds (97%) will go to supporting a promising new clinical trial at the CHUV hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland and ensuring that a glioblastoma study is fully funded with the Canadian Cancer Society’s Disruptive Innovation Grants program.
Lukas, who co-founded the Lundin Group of Companies with his father and expanded it into a global powerhouse in oil, resources, and renewable energy, was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2020 and passed away two years later at the age of 64.
Glioblastoma accounts for 70% of primary malignancy in the brain and 20% of all intracranial tumours. There is currently no cure for glioblastoma. The median length of survival after a diagnosis is 15 to 18 months, while the disease’s five-year survival rate is around 10%. Though all glioblastomas recur, initial treatments may keep the tumor controlled for months or even years.
Realizing the significant lack of awareness about various brain cancers, and a shortage of funding for clinical trials and innovative research for glioblastoma, Lukas’s sons — Harry, Adam, Jack, and William, and their families — launched the Lundin Cancer Fund in 2022.
To kickstart the fundraising efforts, Jack and William created Project No Limit, a Mount Everest Expedition, which led to the brothers summiting the world’s highest peak in May 2023. The expedition raised $1 million.
Among the speakers at the gala were Dr. Andreas Hottinger, director of the Lundin Family Brain Tumour Research Centre at the Lausanne University Hospital, Dr. Gelareh Zadeh, head of neurosurgery at the University Health Network, Toronto Western Hospital and Andrea Seale, the chief executive officer of the Canadian Cancer Society.
“Almost on a daily basis I see patients with brain cancer, and I am struck by the human capacity to demonstrate courage and hope by the patients and their loved ones — this evening is the perfect example of that courage and hope,” said Dr Zadeh.
Dr. Hottinger said the Lundin Cancer Fund is currently supporting a multicentric trial involving a total of 53 patients and six Swiss hospitals to develop an innovative approach of combined therapies that will help control glioblastoma and let patients survive longer.
Another recipient of the Lundin Cancer Fund is the Canadian Cancer Society’s Disruptive Innovation Grants in Cancer Research program. This program provides a unique opportunity for researchers to test out their novel ideas for potentially game-changing impact in cancer prevention, detection or treatment.
“With over 1,754 people in Canada projected to be diagnosed with glioblastoma this year and with the shortest average survival rate of all brain cancers it is vital that we fund research that will change the way we prevent, diagnose and treat this aggressive disease,” said Seale.
Thanking the attendees, donors and sponsors, Jack Lundin, said, “While this cancer may have taken our dad from us way too soon, we like to say that the cancer picked the wrong guy.”
“With all of your support here tonight, we are going to continue battling this disease and will never give up, never back down,” he told the gathering. “If dad would have wanted anything to come out of this night, it is that you feel inspired to follow your passion and cherish it. Find something that you like doing and give it all you’ve got.”
His brother, William said when the family were told about Lukas’s glioblastoma diagnosis, it was like hearing a foreign language. “Now we’ve come to learn how savage this form of cancer is and we’re taking it upon us to try and make an impact in this space and everyone here tonight helps make a difference,” he said.
Ron Hochstein, who has worked for the Lundin family for nearly 30 years, said Lukas’s life journey is underscored by the transformational resource project she was involved with around the world.
“Through his legacy we will continue to improve the lives of his fellow cancer patients and their families by providing hope through the Lundin Cancer Fund,” he said.
In a little over a year since its inception the Lundin Cancer Fund, has already made significant strides in advancing glioblastoma research.
Approximately $15.5 million has been donated to the Lundin Cancer Fund to date — $10.1 million of which has been contributed by the Lundin family. In 2022, the Lundin family committed approximately $2.12 million annually over 10 years to fund the Lundin Family Brain Tumour Research Centre at the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) in Switzerland, which has been at the forefront in the fight against glioblastoma.
For the Lundins, this is just the beginning of their fight against cancer — a battle fueled by the memory of Lukas Lundin that offers hope where once there was little.
Go here to find out more about Lundin Cancer Fund.
MarketOne is a proud sponsor of the Lundin Cancer Fund Charity Gala. By supporting research and patient care for glioblastoma and other brain cancers, we hope to contribute to the fight against these serious diseases. We believe in the power of community and philanthropy to make a significant impact on the lives of those affected by these challenging conditions.
Summit Sponsors:
BMO Capital Markets, Cassels, Chris & Noemi Mackay, Haywood, International Petroleum Corp, Lundin Gold, Lundin Mining, Orron Energy, Pan American Silver, Peter & Joanne Brown Foundation, QME Mining & Tunneling, RBC, Ventum Financial, Wheaton Precious Metals, Timothy Young Family Foundation
Diamond Sponsors:
Agnico Eagle, Franco Nevada, National Bank
Platinum Sponsors:
Blakes, Boart Longyear, Canaccord Genuity, Filo Corp, NGEX Minerals
Gold Sponsors:
Ausenco, PWC, Pareto Securities