Chief Terry Paul and Former NHL Star Mike McPhee to Lead ‘Cancer Care Here at Home’ Campaign. Annette Verschuren Gives $1 Million to Cause.
The Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation is honoured to launch their largest capital campaign to date – the Cancer Care Here at Home campaign, which has a goal of raising $10 million to support cancer care in Cape Breton-Unama’ki.
The official campaign launch included a Mi’kmaw land-blessing on the site of the new Cape Breton Cancer Centre from David Meuse, Membertou Cultural Ambassador, followed by a gathering at Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, where it was announced that Annette Verschuren has committed $1 million to the campaign.
“Stan and I are very happy to support the Cancer Care Here at Home Campaign. We want to support all those battling cancer today and tomorrow.” says Annette Verschuren, Chair and CEO NRStor Inc. “I was born and raised in Cape Breton and this island is where I learned the power of community. Let’s all join together and rally for this tremendous cause.”
Chairing the campaign is island-born Mike McPhee, former Assistant Captain and Stanley Cup winner with the Montreal Canadiens. Joining McPhee as Honourary Chair is Chief Terry Paul, Chief and CEO of the community of Membertou.
“In Cape Breton-Unama’ki, cancer impacts all of us,” says Chief Terry Paul. “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. The support offered by the Cape Breton Cancer Centre is second to none, and 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.”
The Cancer Care Here at Home campaign will focus on fundraising for three areas of cancer care to be provided at Cape Breton’s new, state-of-the-art Cancer Centre. These areas include vital equipment, complementary patient programming, and research and innovation.
“Our goal is to work with healthcare experts to transform the future of cancer care in Cape Breton,” says Mike McPhee, Chair of the Cancer Care Here at Home campaign. “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 five hours during their most vulnerable days, simply isn’t possible.”
“We have a strong group of passionate and dedicated volunteers in our Campaign Cabinet,” says Paula MacNeil, CEO of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation. With Mike and Chief Terry leading the team, we feel confident and ready to take on the challenge of supporting the redevelopment team and our healthcare experts in the transformation and enhancement of cancer care in Cape Breton.”
Joining Mike McPhee and Chief Terry Paul in their campaign are Dr. Rex Dunn, George Unsworth, Martha (van Zutphen) Campbell, Bob MacEachern, Dwight Rudderham and Katherine van Nostrand.
The Cancer Care Here at Home campaign, which takes place over the next five years, has already seen significant community support.
“I’d like to thank the campaign cabinet for their outstanding contributions and efforts in getting the Cancer Care Here at Home campaign off the ground,” says Stan MacDonald, Chair of the Foundation. “With their efforts, and the enormous support of our community, I’m so proud to say that we’ve raised $4.4 million, and we’re just getting started.”
To learn more about the Cancer Care Here at Home campaign, visit cancercarehereathome.ca.