Founded in 1978, Leucan supports children with cancer and their families in Quebec. Leucan has its headquarters in Montreal plus nine regional offices across Quebec.  Its mission is to promote recovery and wellness in children with cancer and offer support services to families. Leucan reports that each year in Quebec, there is close to 1 new diagnosis of childhood cancer a day. In addition, 70% of childhood cancer survivors will develop other issues as a consequence of their illness and treatment. In 30% of those instances, the complication will be severe. Leucan’s main programs are family support services, research grants and direct financial support for families. 

Leucan’s family support services make up 62% of its program spending. These services include emotional support and assistance, social and recreational activities, hospital playrooms, school awareness programs, massage therapy, end-of-life and bereavement services, and summer camps. In F2020, Leucan reported that 252 new families joined its emotional assistance programs, and that it organized nearly 150 socio-recreational activities for families. Leucan reports 41,000 visits to its hospital playrooms. Leucan also gave 5,774 massage therapy sessions to cancer patients and family members and met with close to 2,480 children in schools to demystify cancer and increase their awareness of the reality of their sick classmate. Activities were organized for 400 bereaved family members. 

Leucan’s research grants (making up 19% of its program spending) fund clinical research projects conducted in Quebec pediatric oncology centres. It reports that over the last 20 years, it has donated close to $20 million to clinical research. In F2020, it granted $1.0m to clinical and fundamental research. 

Leucan’s financial assistance program (making up 19% of its program spending) provides grants to families to help cover some of the costs associated with a childhood cancer diagnosis. In F2020, Leucan granted $940k to the families of patients so that they can focus their energy on what really matters: the recovery of their child. 

Leucan received $11.1m in donations in F2020. Administrative costs were 12% of revenues (excluding investment income) and fundraising costs were 47% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 58% For every dollar donated, 42 cents go to the cause, which is outside of Charity Intelligence’s reasonable range for overhead spending. 

Leucan has $4.9m in funding reserves meaning that it could cover just under one year of annual programs and grants. 

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Leucan for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on July 7, 2021 by Asha McMullin.