QEH Foundation
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation
Donations fund $1.5 million CT Simulator to support Island cancer patients
Donations fund $1.5 million CT Simulator to support Island cancer patients – July 4th
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation is pleased to share that with donor support the $1.5 million needed for the purchase of a new CT Simulator for the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre at the QEH has been met.
Ed Lawlor, Chair of the QEH Foundation Board, said that reaching this milestone, especially during this challenging time of COVID-19, is a testament to the generosity of the Foundation’s loyal donors.
“I would like to extend special gratitude to our dedicated individuals, volunteers, groups and partners in the business community who supported our Friends for Life campaign. We are also grateful to have received tremendous support from our dedicated telethon donors even though the 2020 QEH/Eastlink Telethon had to be cancelled.”
Of the approximate 1,000 Islanders that will be diagnosed with cancer this year, half will require some type of radiation treatment. The new CT Simulator will provide high-quality images that will allow health care professionals to more clearly identify the exact location, shape, and size of the tumour to be treated.
QEH Radiation Oncologist and Head of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Larry Pan, says the work of the Foundation and its donors is instrumental in making world-class cancer care a reality on the Island.
“The diagnosis of cancer is devastating enough, so for a cancer patient to need to temporarily relocate to receive radiation treatments would not optimally meet the needs of Islanders. Having access to care close to home is paramount to providing the best care and outcome for patients while ensuring the highest quality of life possible,” says Pan. “We don’t want just basic cancer care — we want the best possible care with modern state-of-the-art equipment. Together we are making this happen on the Island. Soon we can do even better with a new CT Simulator.”
The QEH Foundation Board and staff gratefully acknowledge the heartfelt community support behind this fundraising success and look forward to the arrival of the new CT Simulator at the QEH in the coming months.
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For more information, contact:
Helen Chapman, Director Communications and Donor Relations
902-894-2432
hpchapman@ihis.org
A story of two proud Canadians connected at the QEH
As we observe Canada Day today, we want to share a story about two proud Canadians who almost met in Cairo decades ago, but happened to connect years later through shared experiences at the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre.
Cancer survivor Bill Henry had walked past our Foundation office many times during his treatments this past winter. Doreen Kays’ photo was displayed in the window, as she had recently shared her cancer story with donors to the QEH Foundation.
Each time Bill passed by, he was reminded of a time he and fellow Islander Doreen Kays had almost met. On Bill’s final day of treatment, he stopped in to tell us this beautiful story.
Some may recognize Bill as a retired Canadian Armed Forces senior combat officer with the United Nations who served in five separate conflicts around the world. Others may know Bill as father of four girls including Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer for B.C. and one of Canada’s heroes in the COVID-19 pandemic response.
On October 6th, 1981, while Bill was serving in Lebanon and on a visit to Cairo, Doreen was working as an ABC News’ Cairo Bureau Chief/Correspondent. Both were at a military parade when Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, was assassinated. Bill was on his way to say hello to a fellow Islander he recognized abroad when shots rang out.
Henry said they never did connect that day and now, almost forty years later, he saw an opportunity.
“Not only were we both in Cairo on that tragic day, we’ve both been patients of the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre,” says Henry. “Thanks to the QEH Foundation, I finally got to speak to Doreen and discuss our shared experiences.”
“Serving for 27 years in Canada’s military around the world has taught me how fortunate we are to live in this province and in this country during this dreadful pandemic. We should be very proud of P.E.I.’s Chief Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, and everyone working to keep Canadians safe as they are doing a great job.”
He adds Dr. Morrison and his daughter often consult and are helping steer our country in the right direction.
“Finally, I want to say how proud I am of cancer survivors like Doreen who share their story as she certainly inspired me and so many others,” says Henry. “I also what to thank the public for contributing to the medical equipment that is needed. As Canadians, we are fortunate to have one of the best health care systems in the world.”
2019-20 Friends for Life Campaign!
The 2019-20 Friends for Life Campaign is well underway and we invite you to join us in helping Islanders from tip to tip!
The campaign focuses on raising funds to purchase priority medical equipment for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Support from the community allows us to purchase life-saving, advanced equipment and technology to care for all Islanders and visitors in their times of need. This year a top campaign priority is a new CT Simulator for radiation treatment planning for the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre. To learn more and to find out how you can support this campaign, please visit the Annual Friends for Life page.
A sincere ‘Thank Q’ to the generosity of many people who came together to make this signature fundraising event such a success!
