ABOUT
Helping Albertans take part in breakthrough health research.
Be The Cure is a public awareness, education and engagement initiative that helps Albertans better understand health research and the role they can play in it.
It is designed to make research more accessible by sharing clear, straightforward information about the various health research taking place in the province, and how people can get involved.
Through education and participation opportunities, Be The Cure aims to empower more Albertans to take part in research that helps improve care, advance discoveries, and shape the future of health in the province.
The initiative is supported by a group of Alberta-based health and research organizations working together to strengthen public connection to research and increase participation across Alberta.
Partnering Organizations
Be The Cure has been made possible through the following organizations coming together to support one cause.
Alberta Health Services
Alberta Health Services is the province’s health system provider, delivering healthcare services and supporting patient-focused care across Alberta.
Northern Alberta Clinical Trials and Research Centre (NACTRC)
NACTRC supports clinical trials and clinical research through legal contracts in Northern Alberta, helping researchers move studies forward.
University of Alberta, University of Calgary
The University of Alberta is a leading teaching and research university based in Edmonton.
Alberta Innovates
Alberta Innovates supports research and innovation by providing funding, services, and expertise to researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry.
How Health Research Works
Real Stories. Real Protection.
1985
Dr. John Remmers (University of Calgary) discovers that narrowing of the pharyx causes sleep apnea. He creates the CPAP machine, the current world standard of treatment.
1987
The Islet Transplant Group (University of Alberta) carries out Canada’s first islet transplant. This is one step in the quest to find better diabetes treatments.
1992
Dr. Sam Weiss (University of Calgary) discovers neural stem cells in adult mammal brains. This leads to new approaches for brain cell replacement and repair. It also dispels false ideas that the brain can’t regenerate.
1999
Dr. Shapiro (University of Alberta) works with the Islet Transplantation Group to develop The Edmonton Protocol. This reduces dependence on insulin in people with Type 1 diabetes.
2001
Researchers create a technique so people with severe Type 1 diabetes can stop taking insulin for a short time. This makes treatment safer and more convenient for patients.
2006
A trans-cranial Doppler device shows doctors if an intravenous stroke treatment works. Ultrasound waves determine if arteries are open and how blood is flowing.
The Zeidler Gastrointestinal Health Centre opens. This is Canada’s first clinical facility dedicated to gastroenterology.
2008
Researchers find a new way to treat E. coli by keeping the bacterium from reaching the kidneys.
2009
A researcher finds a biomarker in prostate cancer patients that tells doctors if the cancer will come back or spread. This way they can treat patients earlier and more aggressively.
2010
University of Calgary researchers make a key advance in connecting brain cells to a silicon chip. This “neurochip” screens drugs for patients with brain disorders and determines which ones are likely to be effective.
2012
Dr. Garnette Sutherland and a team at the University of Calgary develop the world’s first MRI-compatible surgical robot. It’s capable of both microsurgery and image-guided biopsy.
Dr. Derrick Rancourt and Dr. Roman Krawetz (University of Calgary) create bioreactor technology that allows millions of stem cells to produce without the risk of cancer.
Inspired by a complex suture pattern, an Edmonton doctor develops a wound-clamping device to stop hemorrhaging, one of the leading causes of preventable death.
2013
Alberta researchers learn that a vaccine developed from a single hepatitis viral strain is effective against all known strains of the virus.
2014
Researchers at the Cross Cancer Institute combine two existing drugs to double the life expectancy of patients with multiple myeloma.
2014
A non-invasive, electrode-based cardiac system gives real-time access to heart data without the use of a catheter. This reduces patient discomfort and lowers the time spent gathering cardiac readings from hours to minutes.
2015
A surgical robot joins the staff at the Lois Hole Hospital for Women to help patients with uterine and cervical cancer. Surgeries now result in less pain, less bleeding, and faster recovery.
The Alberta-run ESCAPE Trial leads to a groundbreaking stroke treatment procedure. As a result, the number of stroke-related deaths lowers by 50%.
2017
Researchers at the University of Alberta identify ways to repair gene malfunction and prevent heart failure in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Dr. David Eisenstat and his research team (University of Alberta) find that mutations in two genes can affect brain development. This could lead to new therapies for some people with autism and seizure disorders.
2018
University of Alberta scientists find that a drug used to treat hepatitis could slow disease progression in ALS patients.
2019
A cardiac research team (University of Alberta) finds that a synthetic peptide can help save more patients with aortic aneurysms.
2020
University of Calgary researchers discover a potential treatment approach for Fragile X syndrome, the leading genetic cause of autism. Their work identifies a way to replace a missing brain protein linked to hyperactivity and other symptoms.
2021
University of Alberta researchers find that a new anti-cancer drug developed for blood cancers may also be effective against breast cancer. This discovery opens the door to broader treatment possibilities and future clinical trials.
2022
Researchers with the Calgary Stroke Program show that a drug commonly used for heart attacks can also be used to treat acute ischemic stroke. This finding helps improve emergency stroke care and expands treatment options for patients.
2023
A University of Calgary-led study finds that vitamin D may help prevent or delay dementia. The research points to a promising new direction for brain health and future dementia prevention strategies.
2024
University of Alberta studies identify new ways to improve prostate cancer screening and reduce deaths from the disease. The findings support earlier and more accurate detection for patients at risk.
2025
The University of Calgary’s AcT Trial helps change treatment guidelines worldwide for acute ischemic stroke. The study leads major health regulators to approve a new use for an existing drug, helping improve stroke care around the world.
2026
University of Calgary researchers find that vitamin B3 shows promise in glioblastoma research by helping strengthen the immune response against brain cancer. The findings could support new treatment approaches for one of the most aggressive forms of cancer.
TODAY
Research is helping advance knowledge, improve our world, and shape the future.