Left to right: Nathan Robinson, Southlake's Director of Capital Development; Lorrie Reynolds, Director, Central Regional Cancer Programs at Southlake; Hon. Stephen Lecce, MPP, King-Vaughan; Arden Krystal, President and CEO, Southlake; Frank Stronach, Founder of Magna International; Dawn Gallagher-Murphy, MPP, Newmarket-Aurora; Jennifer Ritter, President and CEO, Southlake Foundation; Dr. Peter Anglin, Physician Lead, Stronach Regional Cancer Centre. (photo credit: Mackenzie McLean, Multimedia Digital Specialist, Southlake Regional Health Centre)
By: Lindsey Furlanic, Communications Strategist, Southlake Regional Health Centre
Southlake Regional Health Centre is proud to unveil a new PET-CT Simulator scanner at the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, which began serving patients in September after five years of planning and construction. This new specialized equipment will improve cancer care close to home, saving more than 1,200 patients annually from having to travel to Toronto for advanced diagnostics.
The new Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography (PET-CT) machine uses nuclear medicine to detect change within cells at a metabolic level, allowing for earlier cancer diagnosis. With this revolutionary technology and detailed insight, Southlake will be able to deliver tailor-made cancer treatments to patients.
“We are thrilled to be opening the new PET-CT scanner to improve cancer care in the communities we serve," says Arden Krystal, President and CEO of Southlake. “Thanks to the investment from the Ontario government and the generosity of our donors, patients will no longer need to travel downtown for this service, and we can diagnose patients more quickly right here in York Region."
Southlake representatives, local dignitaries, and donors celebrated the momentous occasion made possible thanks to an investment of more than $2.8 million dollars from the provincial government and more than $12 million in fundraising for the campaign that includes support for the PET-CT.
In 2021, Southlake Foundation launched the $20M HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match campaign to keep pace with technological advances and grow the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre's capacity to address the increased demand for cancer care caused by a rapidly expanding and aging population. A generous outpouring of community support means that Southlake has raised over $12 million of the $20 million campaign goal, enabling the hospital to bring the first ever PET-CT scanner to York Region, as well as other site and technology improvements to increase capacity and improve the patient experience.
“It took a great deal of support from many different levels to bring this advanced diagnostic equipment to Southlake. The PET-CT scanner was a comprehensive collaboration between many teams across the organization and will serve both Southlake's Cancer Program and Diagnostic Imaging," said Lorrie Reynolds, Director, Central Regional Cancer Program, Stronach Regional Cancer Centre. “This will make a big difference in the lives of our patients who will no longer need to travel outside of York Region to access this service. It ensures we can deliver leading-edge care to patients and families throughout every step of their cancer journey."
The PET-CT scanner is an advanced piece of equipment that serves two purposes. The PET identifies active cells in the body, which allows for early detection of cancer diagnosis and can determine whether cancer treatments have worked, or if cancer has spread. The CT scanner serves as a CT simulator used for treatment planning of radiotherapy for patients. Having this technology at Southlake also opens new opportunities for patients to participate in clinical trials of novel therapeutics involving the use of PET scanning as part of the treatment strategy.
“The opening of the new PET-CT scanner is an essential support for our patients and the communities we serve," said Nathan Robinson, Director, Capital Development. “It is thanks to many of Southlake's internal teams, as well as our external design team and contractors, that the renovation and installation was completed to ensure the safety of all patients, visitors and staff."