The final tally for the Closer campaign was announced tonight at the donor and volunteer celebration at Market Hall. Community Campaign Team Chair Margie Lightbody said that a whopping $3,403,212 was raised to expand cancer care at PRHC.

Speaking to a capacity crowd of more than 200 guests, Lightbody thanked everyone who gave their time and money to the campaign.

"Last October, we asked the community to 'raise their hands if they'd been affected by cancer' by joining us in a community-driven campaign to raise $2.5 million to bring cancer care closer to home," said Lightbody. "Now, just one year later, I'm in awe of what we have achieved. Not only have we met our $2.5 million Closer campaign goal, we have surpassed it, raising $3,403,212 to help expand cancer care at PRHC and bring radiation treatment to our community for the first time."

"The community’s response has been outstanding," said Lightbody. "More than 9,725 gifts were received from individuals, estates and a wide variety of organizations within our community and beyond. We also had the support of several schools ranging from elementary through to college and university, service clubs, workplaces, and businesses. From galas, fashion shows, and Dancing with the Docs, to the Dragon Boat Festival, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, golf tournaments and the great Urban Adventure Challenge, people enthusiastically participated or volunteered their time to ensure each event was a success."

The $2.5 million campaign included $400,000 for lab equipment and $600,000 for surgical equipment to accommodate increasing volumes of cancer patients—and $1.5 million to install the radiation treatment facility. PRHC is currently awaiting approval from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to put the installation of the single radiation facility out to tender and construction will commence when this process has been completed. The facility is then expected to be operational by next summer.

[Close to Care]

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