Russell celebrates health centre milestone

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/05/2023 (1227 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The power of fundraising has paid off in Russell, says a member of a committee that has raised almost $2 million to build a new cancer care centre next to the local hospital.

Construction has not officially started, but six ceremonial shovels dug into the ground Friday, held by representatives from the fundraising committee, Prairie Mountain Health, the provincial government and CancerCare Manitoba.

“Finally, after eight and a half years of steady fundraising, we’re at this stage,” said Gloria Tibbatts. “The whole committee is ecstatic that this is happening after raising $1.8 million.”

Tibbatts is co-chair of the Expanding Community Cancer Care (ECCC) committee, which is comprised of members from 15 communities and seven municipalities surrounding Russell-Binscarth.

When the committee first met in 2014, they had $50 of seed money with a goal of raising $2.5 million to renovate the current chemotherapy unit at the Russell Health Centre.

But construction costs continued to increase over the years, pushing renovations out of reach, so the committee decided to focus on fundraising for a new building, said Tibbatts.

They raised $1.8 million, and in May of last year the provincial government announced it would contribute the final $700,000.

The new Community Cancer Care Centre will ensure more people in Russell and surrounding areas can access the care they need, closer to home, said Health Minister Audrey Gordon in a news release about Friday’s ground-breaking ceremony.

“Our government is healing health care and is pleased to support this community-driven project,” Gordon stated.

Once complete, the project will add another 2,300 square feet to the current space where patients receive chemotherapy treatment.

There will be a new nursing station and medication storage area, a dedicated patient washroom, lunchroom, waiting room, and improved patient privacy, which is vital, according to Ken Borce, chief of clinical operations for CancerCare Manitoba, who made the trip from Winnipeg to Russell.

“Private spaces are important, because it’s not only about providing chemotherapy, but cancer is more than a physical disease,” said Borce. “And the current space does not have room for psychosocial oncology counselling sessions. They are currently receiving it virtually.”

Psychosocial oncology counselling can help a patient and their loved ones with the psychological, emotional and social issues they experience with having cancer.

CancerCare Manitoba is the provincial cancer authority that sets the standards for treatments, how they’re delivered and equipment at facilities across the province. Borce said it appears Russell has done everything right with its new facility.

“It was amazing. I was humbled to be with members of the community that raised those funds. I’m very optimistic for Manitobans and what Russell will provide,” Borce said.

The fundraising efforts will be a testament for years to come, according to Brian Schoonbaert, chief executive officer for PMH.

“It’s a ‘wow’ moment when a community of stakeholders does such significant fundraising for something they believe that’s needed and is needed.”

Once construction of the new centre is complete, which is expected by the end of this year, PMH will pay operating costs including supplies, housekeeping, utilities, maintenance and staff salaries.

“There is going to be one additional staff person brought in, but we have sufficient staff now for that unit; they will be moving over. So, the position we’ll need to fill will be a clerk dedicated to the unit because there will be a new separate entrance,” said Schoonbaert.

To mark the sod-turning event, Tibbatts said she had shirts made for the committee members to signify their achievement, with “got ‘er done” on the sleeves.

But she said she is cautiously optimistic and isn’t quite ready to “click her heels” in excitement.

“We did this so that more people can receive cancer treatment closer to home without driving three hours or more. So, when the building is up, the parking lot complete, and there are people using it, then maybe I’ll click my heels.”

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @enviromichele