Cancer Care Here at Home
Raising $10 million to enhance cancer care for the people of Cape Breton.
With one of the highest rates of cancer in the country, Cape Breton requires a cancer centre equipped with cutting edge technologies and the latest in programming to provide a fighting chance for those battling cancer.
As a part of the Regional Hospital, the Cape Breton Cancer Centre first opened its doors in 1998, and was built to sustain 16,000 patient visits annually. Today, visits have more than tripled, and the Cancer Centre sees more than 45,000 patient visits each year.
While the “heartbeat” of the old Cancer Centre is large, its infrastructure is ill-equipped to meet current and future needs.
The time is now for a new Cape Breton Cancer Centre. We are stronger together and together we can ensure our friends, families and neighbours have the best possible cancer care, right here at home.
The Government of Nova Scotia has committed a once-in-a-generation infrastructure investment in Cape Breton to include a new standalone Cape Breton Cancer Centre of more than 65,000 square feet.
To support the efforts of our Government, and ensure that the best and most comprehensive cancer care is available in Cape Breton, we have launched our largest Capital Campaign to date.
We have a goal of raising $10 million to enhance cancer care, here at home.
The Cancer Care Here at Home campaign will focus on raising funds to place vital equipment in the hands of our dedicated healthcare professionals; ensure patient programs are available to those fighting cancer; and, provide funds to lead cutting edge research and innovation.
Our goal is to transform the future of cancer care on our island. We need to ensure that the people of Cape Breton have access to the best possible cancer care, here at home. Because, for many, travelling 5-hours during their most vulnerable days, simply isn’t possible.
Mike McPhee, Chair, Cancer Care Here at Home Campaign
Teaming Up for Better Tomorrows
Joining the Cancer Care Here at Home campaign is a team of passionate, dedicated and accomplished senior volunteers from across the island.
At the helm of this team, as Campaign Chair, is island-born and raised (former) NHL player, Stanley Cup winner and current investment and wealth advisor with RBC Wealth Management, Mike McPhee.
Cancer knows no boundaries – young or not so young, worker or student, parent or child – it touches us all.
My family and I, like most Cape Bretoners, have first-hand experience with the pain and devastation that can be caused by a cancer diagnosis. The hard truth is, cancer affects more than the individual diagnosed. It affects entire families, friends, co-workers and communities.
My wish is to look to the future to build upon cancer care in Cape Breton to support all those affected, and I am pleased to lead this campaign and be joined by a group of passionate volunteers to make this a reality.
From an early age, and over my hockey career, I have learned the importance of working together and being part of a team. I ask you to rally with us and support our healthcare teams to make the best possible cancer care a reality, right here at home.
Mike McPhee
Chair, Cancer Care Here at Home campaign
Joining Mike as Honourary Chair is the nationally recognized and respected Chief Terrance (Terry) Paul, Chief and CEO of the community of Membertou.
In Cape Breton-Unamaki, cancer impacts all of us. Whether you’re supporting a loved one through a difficult diagnosis, or fighting for your own health, the Cape Breton Cancer Centre’s role in that battle is crucial. Now is our time to come together as a community to provide state-of-the-art resources for the future of cancer care on our island.
Chief Terry Paul
Honourary Chair, Cancer Care Here at Home campaign
Supporting the Chairs is an exemplary cabinet, all familiar with healthcare concerns and major fundraising initiatives. They’re supporting the Cancer Care Here at Home campaign for one prominent reason – they do not want Cape Bretoners to be required to leave the Island to receive cancer care.
George Unsworth, FCA
Dr. Rex Dunn
Dwight Rudderham, QC
Martha (van Zutphen) Campbell
Bob MacEachern
Katherine van Nostrand
Join and support our team in helping to ensure that the people of Cape Breton have access to the best possible cancer care, right here at home.
The Need is Great and the Time is Now.
In a single moment, cancer is a word that changes lives. Care exemplifies all of those moments, both medical and kindhearted, provided to a patient by their cancer healthcare team. And, home is the place where one feels a sense of belonging and comfort.
Along with some of the highest rates of cancer diagnoses in the country, Nova Scotia Health’s Eastern Zone, which includes Cape Breton, has patients who present at later stages in their diagnoses; an aging population; the highest rates of poverty in the province/country; and one of the highest mortality rates from cancer in the country.
Raising funds to place vital equipment in the hands of our dedicated healthcare professionals; to ensure patient programs are available to support those fighting cancer; and to provide funds to lead cutting edge research and innovation, the Cancer Care Here at Home campaign will support healthcare experts in transforming the future of cancer care in Cape Breton, ensuring patients battling cancer have access to the best possible care right here, at home.
Cape Breton’s New Cancer Centre
With a patient-centered focus, the new Cape Breton Cancer Centre is being designed in consultation with those who understand and know the needs of cancer patients best – front line healthcare teams and patients of the current Cancer Centre.
The new 65,000 square foot space will aim to be comfortable, supportive and strive to focus on the needs of both patients and their families.
The new Cape Breton Cancer Centre will:
- Increase the ability to deliver chemotherapy and provide flexibility to adapt to future changes in treatment;
- Contain space for the addition of supports such as education, nutrition, psychology and social work;
- Include options for holistic care as part of cancer treatments;
- Allow space for volunteer programs;
- Contain audio-visual equipment so patients can virtually include their families in their treatment journey; and,
- Expand research and clinical trial capacity.
This state-of-the-art facility will help to attract researchers and clinicians to advance cancer care and improve outcomes for patients, right here at home.
Cancer Facts and Statistics in Cape Breton
Statistics show that one out of two Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Nova Scotia ranks third in the country for cancer diagnoses, with 6,900 people being diagnosed each year. These rates are higher still within Nova Scotia Health’s Easter Zone, which includes Cape Breton.
The Cape Breton Regional Hospital and its cancer centre support the needs of the Eastern Zone of Nova Scotia Health. Of this Zone, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality is the second largest population centre. This population base deserves the right to receive all of their cancer treatments here at home.
Along with its higher rates of cancer diagnosis, the Eastern Zone also has higher poverty levels. The ability to receive cancer care close to home will ease the financial burden of travel costs, and ensure patients have the warmth and support of family, friends and community close by while they fight.
The Cancer Care Here at Home campaign wants to ensure the people of Cape Breton Island and the Eastern Zone of Nova Scotia Health have access to the vital equipment, patient programs and research and innovation needed to stay close to home during some of the scariest days of their lives.
Cape Breton has the highest levels of both poverty and cancer in the province. This population base should have the dignity to receive cancer care, here at home.
Campaign Goals
The Cancer Care Here at Home campaign will raise funds to place vital equipment in the hands of our dedicated healthcare professionals, ensure patient programs are available to support those fighting cancer, and provide funds to lead cutting edge research and innovation, all aimed at enhancing cancer care, right here at home.
VITAL EQUIPMENT – $6.5 MILLION
Greater effectiveness in cancer care and, ultimately, patient quality of life can be attributed to state-of-the-art equipment.
The acquisition of the latest in specialized diagnostic imaging equipment will provide healthcare teams with the tools to pinpoint cancers and confirm diagnoses. This vital equipment, along with surgery assistive tools and various support technologies, will increase accuracy and efficiency in oncologist assessments.
These new technologies will support decision making and treatments, along with aiding the reduction in wait times and the need to travel for cancer care.
This equipment will ensure the new Cape Breton Cancer Centre is equipped to deliver a standard of care, now, and into the future.
The following are items on the Campaign’s vital equipment list:
Interventional Radiology (IR) Room
This space will allow physicians to perform image-guided diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with accuracy and efficiency.
Thoracic Surgery Clinic
This clinic will allow for specialty surgical oncologist assessments and decision making, which will alleviate travel for patients, as the experts will come to them.
Teleoncology Equipment
This telemedicine technology provides patients in any geographic location access to high-quality treatment from oncologists and top specialists without the need to travel or wait for an in-person appointment.
PATIENT PROGRAMS – $1.5 MILLION
It is increasingly recognized that many patients who are diagnosed with cancer will experience depression, anxiety and, as a result of treatments, the possibility for a reduced quality of life.
Advanced care in programming will offer patients state-of-the-art cancer are, ensuring patients have access to the social and emotional tools to fight cancer, leading to better outcomes.
The following are programs the Campaign will raise money to support:
Complementary Therapies Program Fund
Modern Cancer Care is much more than medicine and treatments. Scientifically proven complementary therapies ensure support for cancer patients throughout their entire journey and lead to more successful outcomes.
A dedicated complementary therapies fund will support such areas as proper nutrition, stress management, massage, reiki, musical therapy, cancer transition and mind and body practices such as yoga, Tai chi and meditation.
Exercise in Cancer Program
With research demonstrating that exercise for cancer patients can affect outcomes prior to and after treatments, it is commonly prescribed as part of a patient’s treatment plan. Along with reducing depression and anxiety, increasing energy and strength, and reducing pain, exercise has been found to trigger stronger anti-tumor activity in the immune system.
In partnership with the YMCA of Cape Breton, a program is being designed specifically to support those who are undergoing cancer treatments. Together we can ensure the entire person is treated, not just the cancer, and work toward success.
Cancer Patient Care Fund
A cancer diagnosis often means the loss of the ability to work – for both patients and care givers. This, along with expensive medications and travel costs, can throw patients into financial crisis.
In 2005, the Cape Breton Cancer Centre identified that financial struggles were weighing on many patients undergoing cancer treatments. This fund, which is administered through the Cancer Centre social worker, provides support in areas such as medications, travel costs associated with medical appointments, income support, dental costs incurred as a result of cancer treatments, and many other necessary costs.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION – $2 MILLION
The Cape Breton Regional Hospital is one of two hospitals within the province that has the capacity to conduct clinical research.
The Cancer Care Here at Home campaign will create a Cancer Care Research and Innovation Fund specifically designed to support healthcare professional-led research. Researchers can apply for funding, which will be vetted through a committee of researchers and cancer care clinicians.
The Cancer Care Research and Innovation Fund will support the new Cape Breton Cancer Centre as a hub for innovation and world-class research to test new and ongoing treatment options. This research has the potential to change cancer care delivery and attract medical professionals from around the world.