Cancer care in Sudbury, northeastern Ontario gets a major boost

Article content

Cancer care for patients in Sudbury and northeastern will dramatically improve thanks to a $1 million donation from Di Brina Family Holdings to the Health Sciences North Foundation.

Article content

Article content

Article content

The money will go to enhancing cancer care services at the Shirley & Jim Fielding Northeast Cancer Centre in Sudbury.

“We are committed to giving back to the community that has given us so much. By supporting the Shirley and Jim Fielding Northeast Cancer Centre, we are helping to ensure that the people of Northeastern Ontario have access the world-class care they deserve, closer to home,” Michael Di Brina, founder and CEO of Di Brina Family Holdings, said in a release issued on Thursday.

David Di Brina, vice-president of Di Brina Family Holdings, echoed this sentiment. “From an early age, we were taught the importance of giving back and contributing to our community in meaningful ways,” David said. “Supporting a world-class institution like Health Sciences North, alongside its incredible staff and volunteers, is deeply meaningful to our family.

Article content

Article content

“It is our hope that this contribution will not only advance cancer care but also bring comfort, hope, and improved outcomes to countless individuals and families across Northern Ontario.”

This money will be “instrumental” in expanding chemotherapy treatment facilities, ensuring that more patients across Northern Ontario have timely access to critical care, while advancing important research to help patients and families in years ahead, the release said.

“The Di Brina family’s generosity will have a lasting legacy, benefiting cancer patients and their families now and in the future,” said Stephanie Winn, administrative director of HSN’s Shirley and Jim Fielding Northeast Cancer Centre. “As cancer treatment continues to evolve, these improvements will ensure HSN remains at the forefront of cancer care, providing patients and families in northeastern Ontario with the best possible support during difficult times.”

Article content

The donation will help cover the costs of replacing one of HSN’s 14-year-old CT scanners. CT scans are essential in diagnosing, treatment planning and monitoring cancer patients.

The new GE Revolution Apex Elite CT scanner uses less radiation, making it safer for patients, while offering enhanced imaging capabilities that are particularly beneficial for chemotherapy patients.

The donation will also support the expansion of the cancer centre’s Infusion Clinic, which provides chemotherapy, blood transfusions, IV antibiotics and other medications. Currently, the clinic has only four chairs, accommodating just 12 patients daily.

By upgrading to eight chairs, the clinic will be able to treat more than 30 patients each day, significantly reducing wait times and helping patients avoid unnecessary visits to the Emergency Department.

Article content

Additionally, this gift will fund essential equipment upgrades to improve the delivery of chemotherapy and reduce wait times for patients and families. This includes purchasing infusion pumps, specialized chairs and new nursing workstations.

The Di Brina family’s generosity will further enable a bold plan to expand research and provide life-saving clinical trials to cancer patients across northeastern Ontario, the release added.

“Our hope is this funding will help support expanding our cancer research hubs across northeastern Ontario and supporting our team in their goal of providing equitable access to clinical trials for cancer patients in the north,” said Dr. Lacey Pitre, HSN’s Chief of Oncology and HSN Foundation Research Co-Chair in Cancer Solutions.

Article content

“This transformative gift will have a lasting impact on the people of northeastern Ontario. Together we are expanding care and saving lives. In recognition of this extraordinary generosity, we are proud to rename the chemotherapy suite as the Di Brina Family Chemotherapy Suite,” added Anthony Keating, president and CEO of the HSN Foundation.

The contribution underscores Di Brina Family Holdings’ longstanding commitment to community well-being, with a focus on healthcare initiatives that directly impact lives. The Di Brina family has a history of philanthropy and this landmark donation reinforces their unwavering support for Health Sciences North and the communities it serves, the release said.

Di Brina Family Holdings is dedicated to supporting initiatives that uplift communities and improve lives. Through philanthropy, business, and partnerships, the Di Brina family continues to make a meaningful impact across Ontario, contributing to healthcare, education, and community development.

The Health Sciences North Foundation is committed to advancing healthcare in Northern Ontario by supporting Health Sciences North, a teaching hospital providing vital services to over 600,000 people. The foundation drives fundraising efforts to ensure access to cutting-edge care and medical innovation in the region.

sud.editorial@sunmedia.ca

Bluesky: @sudburystar.bsky.social

X: @SudburyStar

Article content