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Southlake’s Regional Cancer Centre gets government go ahead

Newmarket, Ontario - On Thursday, September 29, George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care accompanied by Belinda Stronach, Minister of Human Resources & Skills Development, announced to a crowd of staff, physicians and special guests that Southlake had been given approval to move forward with the development of a new cancer centre.

“Announcements like these don’t happen by chance. They happen when a dedicated group of people work hard to bring a vision to life,” says Dan Carriere, President and CEO. “We have a lot of work ahead of us but I am utterly confident in and wish to thank the cancer care team for always placing the needs of our patients and community first. I have complete faith in our ability to build a cancer centre that will be regarded as a model of excellence in this province and beyond.”

The Minister’s announcement has set in motion plans and preparations that are aimed at a tender release for February. If successful in meeting this goal and gaining the Ministry approval necessary, Southlake will be aligned for the start of construction in the spring of 2006 and the opening of the Regional Cancer Centre in 2008.

According to a recent study, this announcement couldn’t come soon enough, as York Region is one of the areas in Ontario in the greatest need of improved cancer treatment services. The increasing population of our community, the age of those who live here and lifestyle factors all contribute to the growing number of cancer cases each year.

When the new Southlake Regional Cancer Centre opens in 2008, patient visits for cancer treatment will quadruple to almost 62,000 patient visits per year. This includes 31,000 patient visits for radiation therapy. For the 50% of cancer patients who require radiation as part of their treatment and currently have to drive to Toronto to receive it, the availability of this service in York Region and south Simcoe County is great news.

We all know and love someone who has fought cancer and we know that there is perhaps no greater battle one can face, so you hate to think that anyone would have to face it far from home, away from the people who love and support them,” says Dan. “Our goal and mission is to see to it that people in this region won’t have to, and we’re well on our way.”

Webcast... government announcement September 29 for Southlake Regional Cancer Centre

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