More than 1,200 patients every year now have access to personalized and advanced cancer screening close to home, thanks in part to a TD Bank Group donation of $250,000 to Southlake Foundation's cancer care campaign.
TD, which supported the establishment of the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre over a decade ago, has made this latest gift to York Region’s first PET-CT simulator scanner at Southlake, according to a Southlake Foundation news release.
The PET-CT scanner is an advanced piece of technology that identifies active cells in the body, which allows for early detection of cancer diagnosis and can determine whether cancer treatments have worked, or if cancer has spread. The scanner had its first patient in September 2023, and since then, has completed more than 500 scans.
“The addition of the PET-CT scanner to the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre is of tremendous benefit for the patients and families we serve,” said Dr. Peter Anglin, physician lead of the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre. “This technology enables us to diagnose and treat patients faster, getting them on the road to recovery sooner. We’re grateful to have philanthropic partners that share our vision of ensuring anyone who needs cancer care in our community can receive it, right here.”
Prior to the PET-CT scanner coming to Southlake, patients had to travel considerable distances to other hospitals or private clinics to access this advanced diagnostic precision.
"TD’s commitment to helping increase investment in research, technology, and innovative solutions that improve access to care for all through the TD Ready Commitment has ensured that where you live is not a barrier to the best cancer care for the residents of York Region and southern Simcoe County," the foundation stated.
Southlake Foundation launched the $20-million HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match campaign to keep pace with technological advances and grow the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre’s capacity to address the increased demand for cancer care caused by a rapidly expanding and aging population.
Southlake has raised more than $17.3 million of its $20-million campaign goal, which has not only enabled the hospital to bring the first PET-CT scanner to York Region and southern Simcoe County, but also the first Elekta Harmony linear accelerator in Canada for radiation treatment last February.
"These updates, as well as the addition of two replacement linear accelerators, are part of the campaign’s mandate to keep up with the latest technology in cancer care, ensuring Southlake’s talented clinicians can deliver the best care — and the best chance for patients to survive their cancer — close to home," the foundation stated.
“Through the Better Health driver of our corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, we’re focused on supporting innovative research, solutions, and technology that are working to create more equitable health outcomes for all. While advances in health care are helping people live healthier lives, many continue to suffer from chronic conditions and experience barriers to quality health care,” says Gerard Dinneen, district vice-president, TD Bank Group. “We’re proud to support Southlake as they work toward providing more equitable access to cancer care for patients across York Region.”
“TD’s long-standing commitment to the resilience and well-being of our shared communities is truly inspiring,” said Jennifer Ritter, president and CEO of Southlake Foundation. “The addition of this revolutionary technology means that Southlake will be able to deliver life-saving, tailor-made cancer treatment to patients right here, in their own community. Our loved ones, friends, neighbours, and colleagues, when anxious, exhausted, and ill as they fight cancer, no longer have the added burden of travel for access to these critical diagnostics. TD has helped to remove an important barrier for Southlake patients, and we are so grateful for their philanthropic investment.”
To find out more about the HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match campaign, or to make a donation, visit www.southlake.ca/here.
