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Walk to End Bladder Cancer

From Ideas to Impact: How BCAN Drives Research Progress

The BCAN Research Story

Building a Foundation for Better Todays and More Tomorrows

When John and Diane Quale founded the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) in 2005, they were motivated by a painful reality: bladder cancer research was in its infancy, and patients and families like theirs were too often left behind. Few resources were dedicated to the disease and many critical questions about prevention, treatment and survivorship went unanswered. Unlike other cancers, there was no clear career path for scientists who wanted to dedicate themselves to bladder cancer research.

From day one, BCAN set out to change that. Our vision was simple but bold: raise awareness about bladder cancer, advance the science and create a platform that would give patients, families and researchers a voice. With donor support, BCAN became known for funding research considered “high-risk, high-reward”—projects that might not attract large federal or industry grants but that hold the potential to spark meaningful breakthroughs.

Our Mission and Values

Since 2005, BCAN has been a driving force in bladder cancer research—shining a light on a disease that was once overlooked. Our mission is clear: provide patients with the critical information and community support they need to thrive today and champion innovative research and responsive national policy to inspire hope for tomorrow.

Everything we do is guided by our core values: connection, respect, excellence, compassion, determination, and impact.  

“BCAN has been instrumental to the advancement of bladder cancer research over the past decade. We wouldn’t be where we are today without its presence and leadership. BCAN sets the tone for the collaborative research community it has nurtured.”
— William Kim, First BCAN Innovation Awardee, Rush S. Dickson Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Co-leader, UNC Lineberger Cancer Genetics Research Program University of North Carolina School of Medicine

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What Makes BCAN Different

BCAN fills a vital gap in the research landscape. While industry often focuses on new drug development and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) requires extensive preliminary data, BCAN steps in where others may not.

We fund studies that directly affect patients’ lives: bladder-sparing therapies, better ways to help patients make treatment decisions and research into the emotional, cognitive and sexual impacts of treatment. These projects might not fit neatly into traditional funding categories, but they matter profoundly to patients and families.

Those who support BCAN ensure that bold, promising ideas take root and grow.

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Supporting Researchers at Every Stage

BCAN doesn’t just fund projects—we invest in people. Our grants often provide the first opportunity for young investigators to lead a study, publish meaningful data, or secure their first faculty position. Many go on to win major federal grants, like the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) R01, thanks to the early data they generated with BCAN support.

“As a young investigator, receiving my first independent research grant from BCAN was a transformative milestone in my academic career. Beyond advancing science, it gave me a profound sense of belonging. BCAN fosters a unique community of researchers, clinicians, patients, and advocates all united by the shared goal of improving outcomes in bladder cancer.”
— Neelam Mukherjee, Former BCAN Young Investigator Awardee, cancer immunologist and an assistant professor in the Department of Urology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

BCAN also helps established researchers innovate and expand their work. And when promising projects face interruptions due to funding gaps, BCAN steps in—most recently with bridge funding of up to $1 million to ensure critical research keeps moving forward.

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Expanding the Boundaries of Research

Over time, BCAN has encouraged research in new directions: helping patients prepare for surgery through “prehab,” exploring how to strengthen mental resilience, and testing complementary and alternative therapies. By broadening the definition of bladder cancer research, BCAN ensures that science addresses not just survival, but also quality of life . Through 2024, over 30% of BCAN’s awarded grants examine patient-centered care questions – an investment of over $4 million.

Because of donor support, patients, caregivers, and researchers alike now have more hope—and more opportunities—than ever before.

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Shaping Research Priorities

One of BCAN’s greatest strengths is flexibility. We can respond quickly to where the science is heading while keeping the door open to unexpected discoveries. Research priorities are guided by our Board of Directors, our Scientific Advisory Board and leading experts in the field.

BCAN supports many kinds of research. Some studies look at how to improve patients’ daily lives, while others explore better ways to use current treatments, deliver medicine directly into the bladder, or tap into the body’s natural immune system to fight cancer. It also includes building new proteins that may help with treatment, using computers and artificial intelligence to improve care, and finding easier ways to track cancer through simple blood or urine tests.

For BCAN, success means more than awarding grants. It means making a long-term impact—creating new treatments, nurturing the next generation of researchers and improving life for patients and families.

“BCAN research awards like my John Quale Travel Fellowship spark today’s innovative research ideas to diagnose and treat bladder cancer that create better todays and more tomorrows for patients and familie- s.” Janet Kukreja, MD, Director of Urological Oncology, University of Colorado Health

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Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Headed

Note: some grants were attributable to multiple categories

Since 2009, BCAN has invested more than $13 million in bladder cancer research. Thanks to donors, funding has grown steadily, supporting scientists at all career stages and addressing cancers from early to advanced disease.

  • 2013–2019: Most of the early grants supported lab studies that tested ideas before they were tried in people. Many of these focused on advanced bladder cancer, where treatment choices were very limited. More than 80 percent of the grants went to projects addressing new treatments.
  • 2020–2024: BCAN began focusing more on studies done with patients and on earlier-stage bladder cancers. We invested over $3.5 million in projects that improve patients’ quality of life and more than $6.5 million in new treatments like immunotherapy and genetic testing. We also gave more support to mid-career researchers, helping them grow and continue their work.
  • 2025 and beyond: With federal funding increasingly uncertain, BCAN is stepping up with $1 million in bridge funding. We will continue to invest in patient-centered care while keeping the flexibility to support high-risk, high-reward ideas that could transform the field.

Percentages above total more than 100% because awards fall into more than one category

From its earliest days to today, BCAN’s research program has grown stronger, more innovative, and more patient focused. Our future promises even greater impact.

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Our Impact

“BCAN has been a critical catalyst in launching my research career. Its support provided essential funding to generate pilot data in prehabilitation for bladder cancer patients and led to major NIH grant opportunities. Just as importantly, it offered a platform to bring an emerging research area into the spotlight.”
— Sarah Psutka, BCAN Young Investigator and Translational Clinical Trial Awardee, Associate Professor and Associate Director, Urologic Oncology, University of Washington Medicine

The numbers tell a powerful story about BCAN’s research investments:

  • 60 percent of BCAN-funded projects have led to scientific publications.
  • More than 40 percent of awardees have launched collaborations or new initiatives.
  • Over a third of funded researchers have presented at national and international conferences.
  • More than a third have gone on to secure additional funding.

To date, BCAN has supported investigators at more than 120 institutions, including leading universities across the U.S. and Canada as well as federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This reach has built not just research, but a vibrant, collaborative community.

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Summary

BCAN’s research program demonstrates what can happen when patients, families and researchers work together toward a common goal. What began as one family’s fight has grown into a national movement—one that has already changed the landscape of bladder cancer research.

Today, promising new treatments are being tested, more scientists are dedicating their careers to bladder cancer and patients have greater hope than ever before.

Still, the journey is not finished. Many challenges remain, and there is more work to do. BCAN will continue to lead the way—supporting bold ideas, investing in researchers and keeping patients at the forefront—so that progress accelerates and the future holds better todays and more tomorrows for everyone impacted by bladder cancer.

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