Cancer research in Manitoba received a huge boost Wednesday afternoon.

It's thanks in part to a provincial grant that will help continue clinical trials looking for a cure for a form of leukemia.

The trials inspire hope in people like retired teacher Peggy Mille in fighting the disease.

Miller was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) eight years ago.

"I had a physical and they found it in my blood," said Miller, now in remission.

CLL is a disease found in the blood or bone marrow and is one of the most common types of leukemia in older male adults.

For Miller, the diagnosis meant a checkup every six months until last October when her doctor suggested she go into a clinical trial to stop the cancer from spreading.

"By the third treatment, I was in remission so I haven't had any chemo treatment since first week of January," added Miller.

Dr. Versha Banerji, a scientist at Cancer Care Manitoba, conducted part of the clinical trial that included 800 patients around the world.

"I'm trying to develop new agents and new ways to treat leukemia that may not be as toxic as some of the standard methods that we use currently to treat leukemia," said Dr. Banerji.

Now, thanks to a Research Manitoba grant worth $2.5 million, Dr. Banerji and others at CancerCare Manitoba can keep doing clinical trials that could eventually find a cure for leukemia.

Kevin Chief, the provincial jobs and economy minister, made the grant announcement Wednesday afternoon.

“It means healthier families,” said Chief.

The grant is part of the province's annual investment of $17 million for research in health, science, engineering and the arts.

"So what does that commitment lead to? Well, it leads to announcements like this. It leads to the idea that we can actually see some very creative results," added Chief.

CancerCare Manitoba is a national leader in CLL research and clinical care. And the researchers and clinicians here are internationally known for their work. CancerCare said that will benefit all Manitobans.

CancerCare Manitoba said about 100 new patients are diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ever year.