London philanthropist Wayne Dunn and the DUNN with Cancer community are marking a significant milestone in their fight against brain cancer, announcing $300,000 in new research funding and the launch of a renamed grant program honouring Wayne's daughter, Allison Dunn.
After raising more than $1.6 million for brain tumour research through the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, the organization has established the Allison Dunn Elevation Grants in GBM Research, a tribute to Allison's legacy following her battle with glioblastoma (GBM), one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.
This year, two researchers will each receive a $100,000 Allison Dunn Elevation Grant to support innovative research aimed at improving the understanding and treatment of glioblastoma. The 2026 recipients are Dr. Ying Meng, a neurosurgeon-scientist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and assistant professor at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Xin (Kevin) Wang, a medical oncologist and clinician investigator at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
In addition, DUNN with Cancer has funded a $100,000 Brain Tumour Research Fellowship awarded to Dr. Rober Abdo at Western University, supporting the next generation of brain tumour research talent in London.
The combined $300,000 investment reflects the organization's ongoing commitment to accelerating progress against glioblastoma and supporting researchers working to improve outcomes for patients and families affected by the disease.
Further funding is planned later this year, with two additional grants of $50,000 each set to be announced in September. Once awarded, the DUNN with Cancer Research Fund will have invested a total of $400,000 in glioblastoma research in 2026.
This highlights the growing impact of community-driven philanthropy in advancing medical research and reinforces London's role in supporting scientific innovation through partnerships with leading researchers and institutions across Canada.
Additional information is available at DunnWithCancer.com and BrainTumour.ca.
