Giving Changes Cancer Care.

Advancing Diagnostics, Pathology & Surgical Oncology at KGH

The Gynecologic Oncology service at KGH has impacted nearly 600 patients and families who have been able to receive this specialized care closer to home since the implementation in 2024. The accessibility of this service in IH has reduced challenges that patients face with travel, financial hardship, and separation from their support system while receiving care

Kelly-Anne Campbell, Director, Clinical Operations 

 

If cancer hasn’t affected you personally, chances are it has touched someone you love. 

More than 7,500 people underwent surgery or were admitted for cancer-related care at KGH last year. As the primary referral hospital for cancer patients living in the Southern Interior of BC, KGH plays a critical role throughout the cancer journey, from diagnosis and biopsy to surgery and treatment.  

Through Closer to Home Than You Think, our community has helped strengthen cancer care at KGH with investments in medical imaging, pathology, surgical oncology, clinical care and innovation. 

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cancer cases at KGH in the last year.

cancer
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of cases sent to pathology are related to the diagnosis or screening of cancerous and precancerous conditions (approximate).

Surgery
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surgical cancer cases at KGH in the last year

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inpatient beds were utilized by cancer patients on average each day.

HOW DID MY GIFT HAVE AN IMPACT?
Meaningful Advancements 

These are just a few examples of how campaign support is advancing cancer care at KGH:

MEDICAL IMAGING

Expanding Endoscopic Ultrasound at KGH 

Donors funded two Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) systems through the campaign, expanding KGH’s capacity to provide highly specialized imaging and biopsies for cancers and other complex conditions. The highly detailed, minimally invasive imaging provides precise tissue biopsies of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and surrounding lymph nodes. As the only Interior Health site offering EUS, this technology supports faster, more accurate diagnoses and treatment planning while helping KGH meet growing regional demand.  

PATHOLOGY

Faster answers when they matter most 

Two new Immunohistochemistry (IHC) stainers are helping identify specific cancer biomarkers, allowing for more targeted and effective treatment. By eliminating the need to send samples to Vancouver, the technology can reduce diagnosis times by up to seven days, helping patients receive answers and begin personalized treatment sooner. 

A new Cytology ThinPrep and Centrifuge is also strengthening cancer diagnosis at KGH, allowing medical specialists to view individual cells with exceptional clarity, minimizing background interference and enabling more accurate, timely diagnosis.  

SURGICAL ONCOLOGY

Bringing gynecologic cancer surgery to the Interior 

Thanks to donor generosity, women across BC’s Interior now have more timely access to specialized gynecologic cancer surgery at KGH. The new Gynecologic Oncology program welcomed three specialist surgeons to KGH and, in its first two years, the team treated nearly 600 cases. 

Before the program launched, women in the Interior needing complex gynecologic cancer surgery had to travel to Vancouver and often faced significant wait lists. Donor-funded specialized equipment helped bring this much-needed service at KGH, bringing expert surgical care closer to home for women across the Interior. 

ROBOTIC-ASSISTED SURGERY

Advancing surgical precision 

For patients undergoing surgery, precision matters. Thanks to donor support, KGH’s new robotic-assisted surgical system, Vinni, gives surgeons enhanced visualization, control and dexterity to perform complex procedures, including cancer surgeries, through a minimally invasive approach. 

Currently used at KGH for urologic, thoracic, and colorectal procedures, Vinni helps surgeons operate around delicate nerves and healthy tissue with greater precision. For patients, this can mean smaller incisions, less pain and blood loss, fewer complications, and faster recovery with shorter hospital stays. 

CLINICAL CARE

A dedicated space for chemotherapy at KGH 

A room on KGH’s 4B Unit has been transformed into a dedicated two-patient chemotherapy space, lovingly named Anida’s Room in memory of Anida Johnson. The space allows therapy nurses to safely provide cancer treatment for inpatients, direct admissions, patients from medical and surgical units, and those coming from ambulatory care, supporting more timely, patient-centred treatment at KGH.  

GIVING CHANGES EVERYTHING
Innovation Spotlight

Advancing Breast Cancer Care

Women undergoing breast cancer surgery at KGH are benefiting from a more precise and patient-friendly way to locate tumours. A donor-funded trial introduced wireless breast localization, using a tiny magnetic seed to mark a tumour before surgery rather than a traditional wire placed on the day of the procedure. This improves patient comfort and convenience while giving surgeons greater precision during tumour removal and helping streamline surgical scheduling. In the first seven months alone, more than 50 patients benefited from this technology, which has now become an important advancement in breast cancer care at KGH. 

Every advancement strengthens KGH’s ability to diagnose and treat cancer, helping more patients access timely, specialized care here in the Interior. 

Thank you for being part of this progress and for helping advance cancer care for patients and families across our region. 

CANCER CARE

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Excellence in health care is closer to home, thanks to you.

Giving Changes Everything.

THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE: $40 MILLION
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