Mentorship

"Over a 5 year period - progressing from an undergraduate student to a master studet and subsequently a resarch assistant- CanSaRCC afforded me valuable professional experience and mentorship opportunities, enabling me to develop as a yung professional. 
Early in my academic career, I was less aware of the different career paths that were available to me beyond clinical research and medicine. This program allowed me to enhance my understanding of the courses I was enrolled in by exposing me to a new form of learning. CanSaRCC helped me solidify my interest in digital health by allowing me to further develop skills in data analysis, communication and program development.
Additionally, my involvement in helping to oversee the Student Mentorship Program at both local and national levels contributed to the development of my management skills.
The most unique aspect of this program is the personalized mentoring provided by scientists and clinicians, who work with each student to develop a plan that aligns with our future academic goals."
Dec, 2025

"In 2023, as a second-year medical student, I joined CanSaRCC because of my early interest in oncology and the opportunity to contribute to research in such a rare and understudied cancer. Through my involvement in national sarcoma projects, I was exposed to clinical research and gradually developed my abilities in data collection, study coordination, and scientific writing. My academic path has been significantly shaped by these experiences, which were made possible by CanSaRCC’s support. 

Now as a fifth-year medical student at Université Laval, I am honored to have received the CanSaRCC Student Mentorship Program Award and the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award. Mentorship from clinicians and researchers has supported my growth and encouraged my interest in pursuing a clinician-researcher pathway. Thus, I remain committed to improving care for my community."
Dec 2025

Over a 3-year period - Working as a Research Coordinator at BC Cancer and being apart of the Cansarcc Student Mentorship Program Cansarcc allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the role of clinical research and how it integrates into clinical practice. CanSaRCC provided invaluable experience collaborating with healthcare professionals and helped me develop essential skills in scholarship, teamwork, communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The program was instrumental in preparing me for medical school and, more importantly, for my future career as a physician. Above all, the mentorship I received was highly personalized, enabling me to explore diverse interests within oncology research. This guidance equipped me with tools and knowledge tailored to my individual goals and supported my personal growth alongside the Cansarcc team.
Dec 2025

I started with CanSaRCC as a student, motivated to support families facing rare disease after having to experience losing my own father to sarcoma. Upon joining this team, I wanted to pursue medicine and believed it was the only path to make a meaningful impact. However, after being hired as a research assistant, I was introduced to a wide range of opportunities, including introducing patients and families to CanSaRCC, explaining clinical and research studies to diverse audiences, and assisting with the in-person and remote informed consent process for both national and international participants. My involvement with the consent process solidified my interest in legal and ethical frameworks governing healthcare, specifically how consortium agreements and regulatory coordination accelerate studies for rare diseases—where time and access are critical. Both my personal and professional experiences with CanSaRCC eventually lead me to pursue a new career path—law. I am now a law student at Toronto Metropolitan University, where I hope to take these experiences and advance health through legal advocacy.
Dec 2025