Dr. Michael Dufresne was awarded the 2018 Ambassador of Hope award for his dedication and commitment to cancer research in Windsor-Essex.  

Dr. Dufresne joined the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Windsor in 1976 and became one of the first cancer researchers in Windsor-Essex. After twenty-seven years of service to his profession and the community, Dr. Dufresne technically retired in 2003, but has never stopped working for the Windsor cancer community. He remained actively involved in cancer research until 2007, continuing to publish, and serviced as a grant reviewer for regional and national agencies across North America. However it was his appointment as the Research Grants Administrator for the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation’s (WCCF) Seeds4Hope program that laid the foundation for the Windsor Cancer Research Group and a vibrant cancer research community in our region.  

Dr. Dufresne developed the Seeds4Hope program in 2008 in response to a visionary commitment made by founding members of the WCCF Board. This seed funding has stimulated tremendous growth of cancer research in our community. Projects funded by Seeds4Hope have enabled researchers to secure the preliminary results they need to successfully apply for funding elsewhere, and to further formulate their ideas and move closer to developing promising cancer treatments. Seeds4Hope funding has resulted in numerous research awards from national agencies, securing millions of dollars in external research funding. 

For being one of the pioneers of cancer research at the University of Windsor, for developing cancer education, raising awareness and your life-long commitment to building cancer research in our region, we thank you Dr. Dufresne. 

Check out photos at "Cheers to Hope 2018"