Montreal company gives $250K to fight ovarian cancer

Blachford is supporting Dr. Lucy Gilbert and the DOvEE project through the creation of the Blachford Ovarian Cancer Research Award

MONTREAL, Dec. 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — After two of his employees lost their wives to ovarian cancer, John Blachford, CEO of Blachford, was determined to help. Ovarian cancer is an elusive and deadly disease, often only presenting symptoms in its most advanced stages. The company committed a gift of $250,000 to the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation to create the Blachford Ovarian Cancer Research Award to help more women survive ovarian cancer.

“Blachford celebrates its centennial this year, and we could never have reached this milestone or achieved such great success without the dedication of our employees. We chose to donate to the DOvEE project to show our support for those around us affected by this terrible illness.”

–John Blachford, Owner and CEO, Blachford

The new Blachford Ovarian Cancer Research Award will support Dr. Lucy Gilbert, Director of Gynecologic Oncology at the MUHC and the Detecting Ovarian and Endometrial Cancers Early (DOvEE) project. In 2018, Dr. Gilbert developed the DOvEEgene test, a simple diagnostic test that detects ovarian and endometrial cancers in their early stages. It works much like a pap smear does for cervical cancer, and its ability to detect cancer early ensures a much greater chance of survival. Now in its final clinical trial, the new award will provide much-needed funds to complete the trial and make the DOvEEgene test widely available.

“Working in gynecologic oncology, I see late diagnoses of ovarian and endometrial cancer all the time. It’s devastating to know that if we had caught it early, these women would have survived. The Stage 3 clinical trial of the DOvEEgene test is the culmination of years of work, and I am grateful to Blachford for supporting us as we bring DOvEEgene to all women.”

–Dr. Lucy Gilbert, Director of Gynecologic Oncology, McGill University Health Centre

Survival rates for ovarian cancer have not improved in over 30 years, an astonishing fact considering the speed at which medicine and technology have advanced. Thirty years ago, companies like Blachford would have been using fax machines and typewriters. In the time between typewriters and tablets, no new technologies to improve survival rates for ovarian and endometrial cancers were developed. Until now.

“Too many women are lost to ovarian and endometrial cancers. The MUHC Foundation is proud to support Dr. Lucy Gilbert as she works to change this. Thank you, Blachford, for your dedication to ensuring no more mothers, daughters, sisters and friends are lost to the silent killers.”

–Julie Quenneville, President and CEO, MUHC Foundation

Blachford, founded in Montreal, is celebrating its centennial this year and its 365 employees worldwide are proud to give back to the community that has supported its success.

DOvEE is a priority of the MUHC Foundation’s $200 million Dream Big Campaign to change the course of lives and medicine. The Dream Big. Stop the Silent Killer campaign has raised over $2 million to support Dr. Gilbert’s big dream of making the DOvEEgene test a routine part of women’s health care, and saving countless lives in the process.

About the McGill University Health Centre Foundation

The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation raises funds to support excellence in patient care, research and teaching at the McGill University Health Centre, one of the top university hospitals in Canada. Our Dream Big Campaign to change the course of lives and medicine is raising millions of dollars to solve humanity’s deadliest puzzles: infectious diseases; end cancer as a life-threatening illness; fix broken hearts through innovative cardiac care; detect the silent killers—ovarian and endometrial cancers—early; create the best skilled health care teams in Canada; and much more. We are rallying our entire community to solve the world’s most complex health care challenges. www.muhcfoundation.com

About Blachford

H.L. Blachford Ltd. was founded in Montreal in 1921 by Henry Lloyd Blachford and has grown its operations to include manufacturing sites in the USA, Canada and the UK. Blachford manufactures a wide range of products. It is a leading manufacturer of noise reduction materials used to protect the drivers and passengers of heavy trucks, construction equipment and farm tractors. It also manufactures a wide range of products based on fatty acids derived from animal fat and vegetable oils. These products are used for a variety of industries including plastics, rubber, wire, powdered metals and grease. www.blachford.com

About the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)

The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is one of the world’s foremost academic health facilities. Building on the tradition of medical leadership of its founding hospitals, the MUHC provides exceptional multidisciplinary patient-centric care. Affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine of McGill University, the MUHC continues to shape the course of adult and pediatric medicine by attracting clinical and research expertise from around the world, assessing the latest in medical technology, and training the next generation of medical professionals. In collaboration with our network partners, we are building a better future for our patients and their families; for our employees, professionals, researchers and students; for our community and above all, for life. www.muhc.ca

Tarah Schwartz
Director, Communications & Marketing
McGill University Health Centre Foundation
tarah.schwartz@muhc.mcgill.ca

John Quaglia
Marketing Coordinator
Blachford Acoustics Group
JQuaglia@BlachfordInc.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/386991d0-af73-4f79-8df9-d3d0038aefbb