A Multi-Year Fundraising Campaign
Hope in Our Backyard is a multi-year fundraising campaign organized by Waves of Hope that will support breast cancer research currently being conducted at Brandon University.
Life-changing breast cancer research. Happening right here in Brandon.
1 in 8 women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. In Canada, 78 people hear this devastating news every day. In Manitoba alone, 900 women will be diagnosed this year. Chances are, someone you love has been—or will be—affected by breast cancer.
But what if hope didn’t have to come from far away?
What if groundbreaking breast cancer research was happening right here in Manitoba—in Brandon, in our own backyard? It is. And it’s changing what’s possible.
THE CAMPAIGN
Hope in Our Backyard is a multi-year fundraising campaign supporting breast cancer research currently being conducted at Brandon University.
Led by Dr. Mousumi Majumder, the Breast Cancer Cell & Molecular Research Lab has been operating since 2023. It is a local lab with national reach and global impact, conducting research that is not being done anywhere else in the world.
This campaign exists to ensure that this critical work can continue—right here at home—where it has the potential to change lives everywhere.
Contact us at HopeInOurBackyard@gmail.com.
MEET DR. MAJUMDER
Dr. Mousumi Majumder
Tier II Canada Research Chair in Genotoxicology
Dr. Mousumi Majumder’s journey in cancer research spans continents and decades.
She began her career in India, earning a PhD in oral cancer genetics and epidemiology in 2009, before completing her post-doctoral training at Western University in Ontario. In 2016, she joined Brandon University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and later earned the distinction of Canada Research Chair Tier II in Genotoxicology.
In 2023, Dr. Majumder opened the Breast Cancer Cell & Molecular Research Lab at the university where she is the principal investigator. Dr. Majumder developed and leads a research program that studies microRNAs (miRNAs) and how they affect breast cells when the body is under stress. Her work looks at how these small molecules can change the behavior of breast epithelial cells and influence cancer development.
Her research also focuses on practical, real-world outcomes. She is working to find blood markers that could help detect breast cancer earlier. In addition, she studies new treatment targets that may lead to better therapies. Another key area of her work is understanding why some breast cancers stop responding to chemotherapy. To do this, she studies the tumor’s surrounding environment and how it supports cancer growth and treatment resistance.
The lab employs more than a dozen graduate students and trainees and depends on grants to continue its operation.
Dr. Majumder is also a science advocate with Breast Cancer Canada, dedicated to advancing research that directly improves patient outcomes.
BREAK-THROUGH RESEARCH
Dr. Majumder’s lab is currently focused on three critical research streams:
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Earlier Detection
Developing a simple blood test that could help detect breast cancer earlier—when treatment is often more effective and outcomes are better.
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Smarter Treatment Decisions
Creating tools to predict treatment outcomes for patients with triple negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease with limited treatment options. This research aims to help doctors choose the most effective treatment before patients endure the severe side effects of therapies that may not work.
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Less Toxic Treatments
Developing new treatment options for triple negative breast cancer that are less toxic, while remaining just as effective as current therapies.
This work is about improving life before, during and after breast cancer.
FUNDRAISING GOAL
The goal of the Hope in Our Backyard campaign is to raise $150,000 by 2029, with 100% of funds going directly to support the Breast Cancer Cell & Molecular Research Lab at Brandon University.
Waves of Hope has committed $25,000 in year one through its own fundraising initiatives, because we believe deeply in the progress Dr. Majumder and her team are making.
Now, we ask you to join us.
This is homegrown hope. And hope is contagious.
All it takes is the right people to believe that meaningful change can start right here—in our own backyard.
WAYS TO GIVE
Waves of Hope is a charitable, non-profit organization. Donations of $20 or more receive a charitable tax receipt.
You can support the Hope in Our Backyard campaign in a multitude of ways:
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Donating online
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Writing a cheque payable to Waves of Hope (please indicate “Hope in Our Backyard” in the memo line) and mailing it to:
Waves of Hope
Box 12
Minnedosa, MB R0J 1E0
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Emailing HopeInOurBackyard@gmail.com
A member of our team will connect with you to arrange your preferred way to give.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
There are many meaningful ways to support the Hope in Our Backyard campaign beyond making a direct donation.
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Purchase Hope in Our Backyard campaign socks
Proceeds from every pair going directly to support the Breast Cancer Cell & Molecular Research Lab at Brandon University—it's an easy way to give while spreading awareness and sparking conversation.
Each pair is $25, and $10 from every pair sold goes to the Hope in Our Backyard campaign. There is even an inspirational message on the bottom of each sock!
To order your own pair (or two!), please email HopeInOurBackyard@gmail.com or find us at an event near you to purchase in person!
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Attend our annual A Day of Hope & Education event
Held each spring, this inspiring day brings together researchers, healthcare professionals, survivors and supporters to share knowledge, foster connection, and highlight the incredible breast cancer research happening right here in our community.
You can find out more by visiting our dedicated event page.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Dr. Majumder’s research is improving life before, during, and after breast cancer—but it cannot continue without community support.
Waves of Hope believes in this work.
We believe in this scientist and her lab.
And we believe that supporting local research can lead to global impact.
Join us in bringing Hope in Our Backyard to life.
If you are interested in helping Waves of Hope meet our target, please reach out at HopeInOurBackyard@gmail.com.
We welcome messages of encouragement or ideas on how to grow the campaign’s connections. For example, we would love to hear if you are willing to introduce us to others interested in our endeavours, to ask us to present the campaign to a group of people you may know, or to make a corporate donation.
We appreciate suggestions on how we can spread the message of hope in our backyard!
MEDIA
CBC covers Waves of Hope's first Day of Hope & Education that launches Hope in Our Backyard campaign:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/waves-of-hope-fundraiser-breast-cancer-9.7160652
WAVES' CONNECTION
Waves of Hope is a small but mighty dragon boat team made up of breast cancer survivors.
We survived breast cancer—and we want that for every woman.
We believe a cure will be found. Until then, we are committed to ensuring women everywhere benefit from the knowledge being gained every single day in Dr. Majumder’s lab. Whether it’s earlier detection through a blood test or reducing the toxicity of treatment for aggressive cancers, this research matters.
It’s happening here.
It’s happening now.
And it needs our support.