Southlake...count on me - Supporting the Regional Cancer Program

Southlake...count on me - Supporting the Regional Cancer Program

beingwell magazine Fall 2007
By: Rena Scheffer

Cancer

Few other words have the power to leave people quite so shaken, frightened and angry. It’s no wonder why. Almost one out of every two family members, friends and neighbours living in Ontario will receive a cancer diagnosis during his or her lifetime. You or those you care for may even be among the more than 3,300 new cases expected to be diagnosed in York Region in 2007 — an increase of 32 per cent over only six years. When cancer strikes, we all want and deserve the best possible care for those we love.

Thankfully, the Regional Cancer Program at Southlake will be there, expected to open in 2009.

The regional cancer program at Southlake is poised to offer immeasurable benefits to the community:

• more than one million residents – our family members, friends, neighbours and colleagues – will have ready access to a full continuum of outstanding, local and accessible cancer care services

• for the first time, residents of our region will have access to life-saving radiation therapy, previously only available in Toronto hospitals

• Southlake’s capacity to provide cancer treatment will increase six-fold to 100,000 annual patient visits

• Southlake’s partnership with Princess Margaret Hospital provides a priceless opportunity for Southlake’s cancer team to work with internationally renowned experts in the field of cancer treatment and research, thereby offering the latest advances in treatment to our patients

We need your help to build and equip the regional cancer program at Southlake. As you drive along Davis Drive in Newmarket, you will see that construction on the regional cancer centre, the centrepiece of the regional cancer program, has finally begun. What you won’t see is the equipment, the new technologies and the expansions required throughout the Southlake campus, all part of the regional cancer program, to accommodate the exponential growth in cancer patients — that’s where we urgently need your help. Your support is now needed more than ever to complete the construction, equip the programs, purchase cutting edge equipment and ensure that our cancer team is  on the forefront of the most advanced knowledge available. While we are grateful for the support of the Ontario government, its contribution will only fund a portion of the total project. Together, we can bring this level of care to our community — right now.  

The Southlake...Count on Me campaign urges each and every person in our region to help build this much needed service so our family members, friends, neighbours and colleagues can be cared for in the supportive arms of their own community. Help us transform the face of cancer care in our community.

The total regional cancer program will cost about $110 million, with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care contributing $53.8 million.The ambitious goal for the community’s share of the project is $60 million.

Every day, in every way, you count on Southlake. Today we  hope that Southlake can Count on You.  

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