SASKATCHEWAN HEALTH RESEARCHERS HONOURED AT AWARDS RECEPTION

Nearly $2 million in research funding from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation for 2003-2004 was formally awarded today to 20 health researchers in Saskatchewan.

Health Minister John Nilson joined members of the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) at an awards recognition ceremony today for researchers who received new funding to study diseases such as Alzheimer's, West Nile virus, diabetes and whooping cough. Other health issues being addressed with this new research funding include improved quality of life for patients with advanced cancer, safe drinking water, healthy workplaces and better quality of life for grain workers.

Nine scientists received research fellowships totalling $750,000; 10 received research establishment grants worth just under $1-million; one received a grant, totaling $48,000 that match national awards. Recipients include faculty members of the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan.

"We are pleased to be working with such distinguished members of the research community, as our provincial government moves forward with its renewed commitment to improving health care, outlined in The Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care, announced in December of 2001," Nilson said. "Health research makes an important contribution to improving health services and to educating the next generation of health professionals. We look forward to working with the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation, as it embarks on new initiatives to foster health research that leads to benefits for our citizens."

SHRF awards grants in Saskatchewan to help beginning scientists and new faculty start their careers in health research, and to support research training through fellowships. Other grants are designed to help researchers attain greater success in national competitions and bring more federal research money to the province of Saskatchewan.

Wendy Duggleby, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, received a research establishment grant to study hope among the dying, in order to improve the quality of the end of life period for people with advanced cancer.

"Because the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation establishment grant is funding the first stage in developing a hope intervention, I was able to respond to the Canadian Institute of Health Research palliative and end of life care strategic announcement this fall for funding for the next stage," Duggleby said.

Dr. Liz Harrison, chair of SHRF and director of the University of Saskatchewan's School of Physical Therapy, commended this year's award recipients. "We are very pleased to be supporting the excellent work of these new researchers. We hope that their studies will lead to new knowledge and innovations that will help improve the health and well-being of the people of Saskatchewan."

SHRF is responsible for managing most of Saskatchewan's provincial health research funding. Its mandate includes facilitating and supporting health research, assisting the Minister of Health in developing a provincial health research strategy, and helping to ensure that funded research leads to benefits for the people of Saskatchewan.

To view project summaries online visit: www.shrf.ca/funding_competition-results_grants-awards-03-04.html

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For More Information, Contact:

Mark Rathwell Health Regina Phone: (306)787-4083

Suzanne Cornforth SHRF Saskatoon Phone: (306)975-1680