Good news for health care in Cape Breton.
The Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation celebrated the huge success of its Cancer Care Here at Home campaign Wednesday night in Membertou.
Its largest in nearly four decades, the campaign surpassed the $10 million goal, raising more than $15 million for Cape Breton’s new cancer centre.
The Cancer Care Here at Home Campaign launched in November 2021, led by Cape Breton born-and-raised former NHL Stanley Cup winner Mike McPhee, campaign chair, and chief and CEO of the community of Membertou, Chief Terry Paul, honourary chair.
According to a release, the current Cape Breton Cancer Centre was constructed in 1998 to sustain 16,000 visits each year. Since then, the number has nearly tripled, and now the centre sees more than 45,000 patient visits annually.
Premier Tim Houston also announced the Island is getting its first PET CT – a diagnostic imaging tool used frequently for cancer care – by 2028.
Right now, the only PET CT scanner in the province is in Halifax, meaning patients on the Island and surrounding areas must travel five or more hours.
It’s estimated that by 2026, more than 800 Cape Bretoners will need to travel to Halifax for these scans.
Houston says, “Cancer has dealt too many blows to our families and friends. It has taken away too many birthdays, celebrations and important moments with the ones we love. Once the scanner is in place, a Cape Breton patient will be able to stay much closer to home, getting the cancer care they need, through all stages of treatment, right here on the island. The foundation, and all of the generous donors, have done their part. Now we’re rolling up our sleeves to do ours.”
The province has committed to covering any remaining capital costs, including installation, and operating expenses of the machine once it is in service.
When the PET CT arrives, the technology will be housed in the old (current) Cape Breton Cancer Centre, where existing bunkers will be repurposed.
Photo 2: During the Cancer Care Here at Home Campaign celebrations, a play on a hockey draft was made, where the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation “drafted” the volunteer Campaign Cabinet to the “Cancer Care Here at Home Campaign Team” in honour of Campaign Chair Mike McPhee’s former NHL career. Later in the evening, Premier Houston announced the Government of Nova Scotia’s commitment to a PET CT for Cape Breton and was also “drafted” to the “team” and presented with a special jersey.
Campaign chair, Mike MacPhee says, “I am proud to hear the announcement of a PET CT for the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.” It is something the Foundation and our campaign cabinet, with the support of our partners at Nova Scotia Health, have been working on throughout the campaign. To see our vision become a reality as we close the campaign is so exciting. I’d like to thank Premier Houston for his unwavering dedication to this project and for ensuring equitable access to specialized diagnostic imaging for the island.”
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