An atrium at the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake has been named in recognition of a York Region developer's $2-million donation to the Newmarket hospital foundation's HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match campaign.
Treasure Hill Homes founder and president Nicholas Fidei said he was inspired to make the donation on behalf of the Concord, Ont.-based company to ensure residents facing cancer don't have to take on the added burden of travel to receive care, according to a Southlake Foundation news release.
“I founded Treasure Hill in 2003 and since then, we’ve built over 10,000 homes throughout the GTA, York Region, and south Simcoe — developing spaces and communities where families can live and flourish,” said Fidei. “When we think about families facing some of the most difficult and vulnerable times in their lives, like undergoing cancer treatment, the focus on bringing the very best care close to home becomes even more important. We were honoured to be able to support the cancer campaign, knowing what it would mean to the residents of the communities we are developing.”
Fidei, along with representatives from Treasure Hill, local dignitaries, and Southlake leadership, clinicians, program staff and volunteers, gathered at the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre on May 15 to officially unveil the Treasure Hill Atrium, named in celebration of the company’s generosity.
“For 100 years and counting, Southlake has built healthy communities through leading-edge care, and it is because of the support of leadership donors, like Mr. Fidei and Treasure Hill, that Southlake will continue to do so for 100 years more,” said Paul Woods, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Southlake.
“The communities Southlake serves are experiencing incredible growth, and Southlake is excited to grow and innovate alongside them. We’re thankful to Treasure Hill for their shared vision of delivering leading-edge cancer care close to home to patients and families in the communities we serve.”
The HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match campaign focuses on bringing the latest technology to Southlake’s Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, as well as improving access and capacity to serve the rapidly growing population of people who rely on the regional centre. Through the philanthropic leadership of companies like Treasure Hill, and Southlake’s community of donors, Southlake Foundation has raised $17.4 million of their $20-million goal.
"That generosity has made a significant and tangible impact for patients receiving care at the hospital. This includes bringing York Region’s first PET-CT simulator scanner to Southlake for advanced diagnostics, expanding the radiation therapy program to reduce wait times through the addition Canada’s first Elekta Harmony Linear Accelerator, which features the latest technology for radiation therapy, and funding 17 new chemotherapy chairs for the systemic therapy program," the foundation said.
The campaign will next replace one of the hospital’s two MRIs. MRI scans are integral to the diagnosis and monitoring of cancer. The upgraded MRI will not only reduce wait times, but it will also use significantly more advanced technology to produce higher-resolution images that will result in more precise, informed, and timely diagnosis. A new MRI will complete more than 8,000 scans a year for patients in the communities Southlake serves.
The Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake is consistently ranked as one of the top three cancer centres in Ontario and is the first partner of the Princess Margaret Cancer Care Network.
“If you have cancer, this is this place to be. Southlake patients can be confident that they’re receiving the best care possible,” said Dr. Peter Anglin, physician lead for the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake. “We have such incredible talent here — doctors, nurses, radiation therapists and many more at the forefront of their disciplines. Thanks to the generosity of donors like Treasure Hill, we’re able to put the latest cancer care diagnostic and treatment equipment and technology in their hands.”
Southlake Foundation president and CEO Jennifer Ritter agrees.
“It’s so inspiring to have partners in our community like Treasure Hill commit to supporting our hospital in such a meaningful way and we are so grateful. I hope it moves anyone that can to support our campaign because the outcomes are so impactful to families who depend on Southlake for cancer care. It means receiving a diagnosis promptly. It means staying close to home after chemotherapy when you’re feeling your worst. It means being able to rely on family and friends for support as you bring a loved one in for daily radiation treatments. It means having the confidence and peace of mind of knowing that we have the very best, right here, and it’s what this community deserves.”
For more information on the HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match campaign, visit southlake.ca/HERE.
