Russell chemo unit hits funding target

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This article was published 03/05/2022 (1610 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Russell Health Centre chemotherapy unit expansion is going ahead, with the province picking up the remainder of the needed funding to pay for construction.

The government is providing the $700,000 the Expanding Community Care Committee (ECCC) needs to meet its $2.5-million goal to pay for all construction and equipment costs related to the expansion of the facility. The ECCC has already raised $1.8 million.

Deputy premier Cliff Cullen made the announcement outside the health centre Tuesday.

The expansion includes building another space at Russell Health Centre estimated to be approximately 2,300 square feet, about four times larger than the current unit. Construction is scheduled to start in the summer.

This will also help Russell become a hub for Prairie Mountain Health as part of the Manitoba Clinical and Preventative Services Plan, which is an initiative to deliver better health outcomes, shorten wait times and improve national rankings.

“Cancer touches the lives of nearly every Manitoban, either through a diagnosis of our own or of a loved one, so it is fitting the community in Russell has come together to support people on that journey,” said Cullen. “We are excited to see this project get underway, not just for the people in Russell, but for 15 or 20 communities as well.”

The ECCC formed in 2014 from 15 communities that surround the Russell Health Centre. The objective was to provide the best possible care for chemotherapy clients in a positive environment and also provide a safe and positive workplace for the staff that work there, said Gloria Tibbatts, president of the ECCC.

Fundraising events include the annual Walk of Hope, Crop of Hope, Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign, Trojan Hockey Cancer Game, Spring Gala, raffles and pie sales.

In January, the ECCC received notice the project was given the go-ahead and it would be responsible for all funds to pay for it. By April, it had raised $1.8 million, but the committee was told there was a $700,000 shortfall due to rising construction costs.

“We’ve been working tirelessly to get promissory notes to make this project happen,” Tibbatts said. “Before this announcement, we were giving it one last push, but it looks like now we don’t have to do that. Our dream is going to be a reality and we thank everyone involved.”

Premier Heather Stefanson was supposed to make the announcement and take a tour of the centre but was unable to attend due to a schedule change to visit flood victims in the Interlake and southern regions.

While this project took longer than expected to materialize, it is a lesson in persistence and hard work paying off, said Prairie Mountain Health CEO Brian Schoonbaert. The health centre and the regional health authority are grateful for the dedication of the ECCC for getting the funding secured. He also lauded the community support behind the project committee for raising $1.8 million.

Prairie Mountain Health will continue to collaborate with the ECCC, CancerCare Manitoba, staff and local stakeholders to plan for the necessary building parameters, costs and construction schedule for the expansion.

The regional health authority will also absorb the additional operating costs. Calls to Prairie Mountain Health to clarify what those costs will be were not returned by press time.

Within PMH, there are seven community cancer programs. Schoonbaert said all of these play a pivotal role for the region in providing cancer care closer to home.

» kmckinley@brandonsun.com, with Brandon Sun files

» Twitter: @karenleighmcki1