Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation

What Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation does

The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, operating legally as The Ottawa Cancer Foundation, is a registered Canadian charity (Charitable Registration # 8983 11170 RR0001) founded in 1995 to provide free, community-based supportive care for people affected by cancer in the Ottawa and Eastern Ontario region. The organization delivers a unified service portfolio through its Community Cancer Hub, anchored by the Maplesoft Jones Centre at 1500 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa — the region's first dedicated Cancer Survivorship Centre. Core service lines include Cancer System Navigation (personalized guidance delivered by registered healthcare professionals), mental health programs, exercise and movement, evidence-based nutrition, symptom and side-effect management, courses and workshops, social and peer support, and specialized offerings for children, youth, families, young adults, and caregivers.

The foundation is led by CEO Deborah Lehmann and governed by a Board of Directors. It operates with a staff of 11-50 and coordinates with 70+ healthcare professionals, service providers, and community organizations — formalized through the OSCOP (Ottawa Supportive Cancer Care Community of Practice) network. All programs are provided at no cost to clients.

The revenue model is exclusively donation-based, with no user fees. Funding streams include individual one-time and monthly donations, tribute giving, legacy giving (bequests, life insurance, retirement plan designations), corporate partnerships and sponsorships, vehicle donations (via Donate-A-Car Canada), gifts of securities, and a diversified event portfolio of signature fundraisers (Aurora Ball, Fight for the Cure, Lemonade Standemonium, Laugh for the Cure, pickleball and curling tournaments, community walks, galas, and a Space Rental Program). The 17th annual Fight for the Cure alone raised $1,250,836 for local cancer care programs, indicating material per-event fundraising scale.

Name

Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation

Legal name

The Ottawa Cancer Foundation

Website

https://ottawacancer.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation is a registered Canadian charity founded in 1995 that delivers free, community-based supportive cancer care — including navigation, mental health, exercise, nutrition, and peer support — to patients, caregivers, and families in the Ottawa region, funded entirely through donations, events, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Palliative Care, Hospice & Serious Illness Support (BPAGACAK)

Keywords

• Cancer support services
• Community-based cancer care
• Patient navigation programs
• Survivorship support
• Cancer charity fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals supporting cancer care programs. Donors can give in memory or honour of loved ones.
2. Fundraising Events: Revenue from signature events including Fight for the Cure, Aurora Ball, Lemonade Standemonium, Laugh for the Cure, golf tournaments, pickleball tournaments, walks, curling events, galas, and sports awareness games.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorships and partnerships with businesses supporting cancer care through event sponsorship, corporate donations, and workplace giving programs.
4. Legacy Giving: Planned giving options including bequests in wills, life insurance beneficiary designations, and retirement plan designations.
5. Vehicle Donations: Vehicle donation program through Donate-A-Car Canada, accepting cars, RVs, boats, and motorcycles.
6. Gifts of Securities: Donation of stocks or bonds, which may provide tax advantages to donors.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Ottawa Cancer Foundation delivers free, community-based supportive cancer care to people living with cancer, their caregivers, and their families in the Ottawa region. Its core offering is the Community Cancer Hub, anchored by the Cancer System Navigation service and complemented by Mental Health Programs, Exercise + Movement, Nutrition, Courses + Workshops, Managing Symptoms + Side Effects, Social + Peer Support, and dedicated programming for Children/Youth/Families, Young Adults, and Caregivers, delivered at the Maplesoft Jones Centre.

Product overview

The Ottawa Cancer Foundation (also referred to as Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation) operates a unified service portfolio anchored by the Community Cancer Hub, which delivers free, community-based supportive cancer care across physical, psychological, emotional, social, and practical dimensions. The core service offering includes Cancer System Navigation providing personalized guidance through diagnosis and treatment, complemented by specialized programs in mental health, exercise and movement, evidence-based nutrition, symptom management, peer support groups, and dedicated services for children, youth, families, young adults, and caregivers. The foundation generates community support through signature fundraising events including Lemonade Standemonium (summer lemonade stand initiative since 2013), Aurora Ball (annual gala), Laugh for the Cure (comedy fundraiser), pickleball tournaments, and community walks. The Maplesoft Jones Centre serves as the primary facility for programming and community gatherings. All programs and services are provided at no cost to clients, funded entirely through community donations and events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aurora Ball: Annual gala event celebrating the organization's work with dancing, dining and drinks. The event marked the organization's 30th anniversary.
• Lemonade Standemonium
• Laugh for the Cure
• Community Cancer Hub
• OSCOP
• Maplesoft Jones Centre

Products and services

• Community Cancer Hub A free community-based hub providing supportive care and resources for people living with cancer, integrating navigation, mental health, exercise, nutrition, social support, and specialized programming for children, youth, families, and caregivers.
• Cancer System Navigation Personalized support service connecting individuals and families with guidance through cancer diagnosis, treatment, healing, and recovery via registered healthcare professionals.
• Mental Health Programs Emotional and psychological support services and resources to strengthen well-being for those affected by cancer.
• Exercise + Movement Physical activity programming for all ages and abilities supporting cancer patients throughout their journey.
• Nutrition Evidence-based nutrition workshops and guidance tailored specifically for individuals affected by cancer.
• Managing Symptoms + Side Effects Workshops and support services designed to help individuals navigate physical and mental health challenges during cancer treatment.
• Courses + Workshops Research-based alternative modalities and educational programming that complement traditional cancer care.
• Social + Peer Support Peer-led support groups and community connections for individuals affected by cancer.
• Children, Youth + Families Age-appropriate support, activities, and resources for young people living with or adjacent to cancer.
• Young Adults Emotional, physical support, and community programming specifically for young people affected by or supporting a loved one with cancer.
• Caregivers Emotional support, practical guidance, and peer connections for caregivers caring for loved ones with cancer.
• Lemonade Standemonium Annual summer fundraising initiative bringing together kids, families, businesses, and communities across Ottawa to raise funds through lemonade stands for local cancer care programs and services.
• Aurora Ball Annual gala event celebrating the foundation's milestones with dancing, dining, and drinks while raising funds for local cancer care programs.
• Laugh for the Cure Comedy event featuring professional and aspiring comedians performing in support of local cancer care.
• Pickle Power Pickleball Tournament Pickleball tournament fundraising event supporting The Ottawa Cancer Foundation, hosted at The Forge Pickleball Club.
• Riley's 5KM Walk For Cancer Care Annual community walk event in Barrhaven raising funds for local cancer care programs.
• Maplesoft Jones Centre The region's first Cancer Survivorship Centre at 1500 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, providing a serene refuge and programming space for patients and families.
• Space Rental Program Rental program for the Maplesoft Jones Centre event spaces, offering technical equipment including computers, screens, and presentation tools.

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Skate & Play / EXIT LoungeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 September 2026Ottawa's only roller-skating and arcade venue hosting the Community for Care Gala in September 2026 to raise funds for cancer care programs. Venue transforms into a stunning gala setting for the evening.
• Ottawa BlackjacksminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 July 2026Professional basketball team hosting Cancer Awareness Night on July 12, 2026. $5 from every ticket purchased using promo code is donated to the foundation. Event includes in-game tributes and support badge initiative.
• The Forge Pickleball ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 April 2026Host venue for Pickle Power pickleball tournament supporting the foundation with an afternoon of friendly competition and community spirit.
• Richmond Curling ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 January 2026Hosting the Ends for an End to Cancer Fundraiser and Funspiel curling event that has raised over $150,000 in past years to support families impacted by cancer in the community.
• Donate-A-Car CanadacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVehicle donation program partner that accepts car, RV, boat, and motorcycle donations on behalf of the foundation. Handles all logistics including free towing and processes donations to benefit the foundation with tax receipts issued within 45 days.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Cancer Society: Canada's largest national cancer charity, offering research funding, support services, and information across the cancer continuum. Competes with the Ottawa Cancer Foundation for donor mindshare and corporate partnerships, but operates at national scale with a much broader mandate.
• LIVESTRONG Foundation: U.S.-based nonprofit historically focused on cancer survivorship navigation and support services. Conceptually aligned with the Ottawa Cancer Foundation's survivorship-centre approach, though operates at substantially larger scale and national remit.
• Terry Fox Foundation: Iconic Canadian cancer fundraising organization running the annual Terry Fox Run and distributing funds to cancer research programs nationwide. Competes for community fundraising participation and corporate sponsorship in the Ottawa market.
• Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation: Major Canadian hospital-affiliated cancer fundraising foundation supporting one of the world's largest cancer centres. Competes for high-net-worth donors and corporate partners, particularly those connected to Ontario's cancer research and treatment ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Cancer Support Community: U.S.-based nonprofit operating a network of community and online cancer support centers delivering free navigation, support groups, education, and healthy lifestyle programs — a direct U.S. analogue of the Ottawa foundation's integrated service model.
• Camp Quality Canada: Canadian nonprofit delivering camp programs and support for children affected by cancer, directly overlapping with the Ottawa Cancer Foundation's Children, Youth + Families service line and peer-support programming for young people.
• Wellspring Cancer Support: Canadian nonprofit network operating community-based cancer support centres offering similar free programs (exercise, peer support, nutrition, navigation) to people living with cancer. Closest functional comparable to the Ottawa Cancer Foundation's model.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities Ottawa: Ottawa-based charity providing lodging and family support services for families with seriously ill children, including pediatric cancer. Comparable in operating model (community fundraising, volunteer-driven, regional scope) and in serving caregiver and family segments.
• Gilda's Club Toronto: Canadian affiliate of the Gilda's Club network providing free emotional and social support, educational workshops, and community programming for people living with cancer and their families — a near-identical service portfolio to the Ottawa Cancer Foundation.
• Look Good Feel Better: Canadian charity providing free workshops and resources to help people manage the appearance-related effects of cancer treatment. Overlaps with the Ottawa Cancer Foundation's symptom management and wellness programming for cancer patients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/OttawaCancer
• Facebookfacebook.com/survivorshipcare
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ottawacancer
• Instagraminstagram.com/ottawacancer
• Xx.com/OttawaCancer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation