Local Couple Honored for Generous Support of Cancer Research

A local couple in Brandon, Manitoba, received heartfelt recognition from Brandon University on March 15, 2024, for their significant financial support of its Breast Cancer Cell and Molecular Research Laboratory. Gerald and Carmen Butler were surprised with the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to the Butler Family Foundation, marking their ongoing commitment to advancing breast cancer research.

The emotional event brought tears of joy to both Gerald and Carmen, who have been longtime supporters of the university. “I don’t usually break down like this,” Gerald shared, visibly moved. “Brandon University and Brandon College are so close to my heart.”

The Butlers have contributed a total of $50,000 to the research laboratory over the past two years. Their latest pledge commits to annual donations of $25,000 to support ongoing research and student initiatives in the lab, which is led by Dr. Mousumi Majumder.

Impact of Donations on Breast Cancer Research

Gerald Butler explained how his involvement began after hearing Dr. Majumder speak at an alumni event. He was struck by the statistic that many women diagnosed with breast cancer have a life expectancy of only four years. “That just didn’t seem right,” he said. “If the lab can do something for them, we support it.”

Dr. Majumder’s lab opened in 2023, thanks in part to grants totaling $2.5 million from organizations including the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Breast Cancer Society of Canada. The Butler’s donations will alleviate some of the financial pressures on the lab, allowing Dr. Majumder and her team to focus more on research rather than grant applications.

“Every day, there is some application that we are putting forward,” Dr. Majumder noted. “So the day we run out of grant money, that research door is going to be closed.” This funding is crucial to continuing their groundbreaking work in breast cancer research.

Dr. Majumder’s vision involves developing blood tests that can detect breast cancer at its earliest stages, a goal that holds particular significance in Manitoba, where routine mammograms are not available until women reach the age of 50. Her research focuses on the role of microRNAs in breast cancer, with hopes of using these markers to not only detect cancer sooner but also to create more effective therapies.

One of Dr. Majumder’s graduate students, Carter Williamson, expressed his gratitude for the funding, which he described as a “massive surprise.” He is investigating how triple-negative breast cancer, a more aggressive subtype, develops resistance to chemotherapy. “This funding will allow us to continue our important work,” Williamson said.

A Legacy of Generosity

Gerald Butler, a graduate of Brandon College in 1963, emphasized the transformative impact that the institution had on his life. “Going to Brandon College was a life-changer for me,” he reflected. He and Carmen hope that their contributions inspire other alumni to support the university and its initiatives.

Carmen echoed her husband’s sentiments, describing the university as a family. “It’s like family,” she stated. The couple wore vintage Brandon College jackets during the ceremony as part of the Homecoming Week celebrations, further highlighting their deep connections to the institution.

“There’s a replenishing that goes on as you give,” Gerald quoted, expressing his hope that others will follow in their footsteps. His dream is for more people to donate what they can, whether it be time or financial support, to help in the fight against breast cancer.

The Butler family’s commitment serves as a poignant reminder of the impact that philanthropy can have on research and the lives of those affected by cancer.