“In the past few years alone, there have been unprecedented advancements in AI, technology, and robotic-assisted surgical systems in cancer treatment—this is the future of cancer care, and we are ready.
Dr. Joshua Wiesenthal, Urologic Surgeon, Kelowna General Hospital
WHY GIVE?
It is anticipated that 45% of Canadians will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. If cancer hasn’t affected you personally, chances are it has touched someone you love. The KGH Foundation’s ‘Closer to home than you think’ campaign is a commitment to raising $40 million to help advance health care, right here at home. The campaign is unique in that it’s structured to provide funding across multiple, priority areas of health care, including Cancer Care. Funding will specifically impact the vital areas of medical imaging, pathology and surgical oncology.
Last year, over 7,500 people from the Central Okanagan and surrounding communities in BC’s southern interior underwent surgery or were admitted for for cancer-related care at Kelowna General Hospital.
We know Cancer Care is important to you. Cancer touches us all. The campaign gives us the opportunity to work together and shape the future of cancer care at KGH, specifically the diagnosis and primary treatment of cancers – breast, prostate, pancreatic, brain, stomach, colon… and many more – that affect so many of us and our loved ones.
HOW WILL MY GIFT HAVE AN IMPACT?
The KGH Foundation’s commitment to advancing cancer care is to help ensure that when this life-altering disease affects you or someone you love, world-class diagnostics in medical imaging and pathology, and surgical oncology are available at Kelowna General Hospital, the current primary referral hospital for cancer patients living in the southern interior of BC.
Donations to the KGH Foundation are a direct investment in the care that is delivered at KGH in four key areas:
MEDICAL IMAGING
MEDICAL IMAGING
Early and clear detection through advanced medical imaging can significantly alter the course of a patient's journey with cancer, leading to improved outcomes and survival rates. As a critical step in advancing diagnostics, the campaign will also fund the purchase of a 3T MRI.
PATHOLOGY
PATHOLOGY
By building capacity to reduce or eliminate the need to send specimens to Vancouver for testing and speeding up the diagnostic process, wait times for test results and treatment plans will be reduced, alleviating stress for patients and their families during this critical period.
SURGERY
SURGERY
For many cancer patients, surgery is often crucial for enabling accurate disease staging, increasing survival chances and reducing recurrence risks. By investing in the latest surgical technologies our surgeons can operate with enhanced precision, minimize invasiveness, and shorten recovery times for their cancer patients.
INNOVATION
INNOVATION
$1 million has been earmarked specifically to fund innovation in cancer care. This includes trials and pilot projects, research, training in advanced techniques and other initiatives that aim to improve processes, pre and post treatment approaches and overall care that addresses the unique needs of our region’s patients. To learn more about the innovation component of the campaign, click here.
GIVING CHANGES EVERYTHING
Dr. Sita Ollek, Surgical Oncologist
BREAST CANCER:
WIRELESS BREAST LOCALIZATION
Thanks to the generosity of KGH Foundation donors, we have been able to trial innovative technologies for breast cancer patients, such as Wireless Breast Localization. This novel approach reduces patient discomfort and improves patient experience. It can also enhance surgical accuracy and may reduce the need for additional surgeries. The impact of embracing innovation in cancer care is multi-faceted.
Dr. Joshua Wiesenthal, Urologic Surgeon
BLADDER CANCER:
BLUE LIGHT CYSTOSCOPY
“Blue Light Cystoscopy is a very powerful diagnostic tool that allows urologists to improve tumor detection for bladder cancer at the time of surgery, vastly and subsequently reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Previously, it was only available for bladder cancer patients residing in the Lower Mainland and Victoria. Now, thanks to the KGH Foundation’s donors, we have the capacity to perform this life-saving procedure right here at KGH.”
of cases sent to pathology are related to the diagnosis or screening of cancerous and precancerous conditions (approximate).
cancer cases at KGH in the last year.
inpatient beds were utilized by cancer patients on average each day.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
A gift to support innovation offers the benefit of unlocking a matching contribution from the Jim Pattison Foundation to support the Centre for Health System Learning & Innovation which will hold an important role in advancing this work.
Help us bring innovative solutions to cancer care in the Southern Interior and double your impact today.
In the face of cancer, every advancement, every innovation, and every act of generosity brings us closer to a world where cancer no longer defines the course of a person’s life. Advancing our hospital’s capacity to diagnose and treat cancers will not only save lives, but it will elevate care where it matters most – right here at home.
With your help, a healthier and brighter future is closer to home than you think.
Giving changes everything.
CANCER CARE
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