Northeast Cancer Centre Marks 25-Years Of Care & Research

By Angela Gemmill

The Northeast Cancer Centre marked its silver anniversary today, celebrating 25 years of providing cancer care to patients from across the region.

When it first started in 1990, the facility at Health Sciences North was meant to reduce or eliminate travel for cancer patients needing treatment.

That’s because patients from Northeastern Ontario once had to visit hospitals in Southern or Eastern Ontario to recieve chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Former patient, turned volunteer, Paulette Lalancette calls the NECC more than just bricks and mortar.

She says the health care system was once very provider-centred, but that has changed to a more patient-centre cancer centre.

She says there is dignity and respect for every patient who walks through the doors and they each have an individualized treatment plan.

V-P of Regional Cancer and Support Services, Mark Hartman, says world-class research has also become a big part of what the Northeast Cancer Centre is known for.

He says scientists here have proven time and again they can be contributers to important cancer research across the globe.

Over the years, the Northeast Cancer Centre has improved on its clinical and support services and now has satellite clinics so patients from outside Sudbury can receive chemotherapy near them.

It also offers a healing lodge, called the Daffodil Lodge, which provides a place to stay for patients from across the Northeast.

There has been a lot of community support for the cancer centre, with the Northern Cancer Foundation raising millions of dollars for front-line care, equipment and research.

(Picture:25th Anniversary of Northeast Cancer Centre; Vice President of Regional Cancer Services at NECC Mark Hartman, Patient Advisor Paulette Lalancette, President of Health Sciences North Dr. Denis Roy & Chair of Board of Directors at Northern Cancer Foundation Jim Marchbank)