Better care for breast cancer patients

Earlier this year, PRHC introduced exciting, new donor-funded technology for breast cancer patients called breast seed localization. As PRHC general surgeon Dr. Brie Banks explained at the Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival donation presentation in June, the technology is already making an impact on care. 

Essentially, breast seed localization is a tiny radioactive seed, about the size of a grain of rice, placed directly at the site of a patient’s tumour. It helps surgeons locate the tumour more precisely during surgery. 

This process is a big improvement from older methods, which were less comfortable, more invasive and stressful for patients. And the best part? Because of this donor-funded advancement, PRHC can perform more breast cancer surgeries every day. That means more patients are getting the care they need, faster.

“Having breast seed at PRHC has dramatically increased access to state-of-the-art surgery for breast cancer patients. Not only are we able to look after more patients in the day, but the process is much less difficult for them. Seed localization is more comfortable and convenient,” says Dr. Banks. “I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all the donors who made this advancement possible.”

Our hearts are on the line – let’s bring new cardiac services to PRHC

“You never expect it to happen to you until it does,” says Nick Beamish.

It was Christmas time in 2018, when Nick started feeling ‘off’. An athletic guy, who coached high school sports, Nick was used to pushing his limits, so when he began experiencing extreme exhaustion, he chalked it up to stress. But as the days went on, it became harder to ignore.

With a nudge from his wife, Nick went to the emergency department at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. There, doctors hooked him up to an electrocardiogram (ECG) to test his heart. Within minutes, alarm bells started going off. “Doctors were rushing over with carts, with paddles to shock me,” he says.

Doctors discovered he had a life-threatening issue with his heart rhythm. PRHC didn’t have a Cardiac Electrophysiology – or EP – Lab to provide the necessary treatment, so Nick was rushed to Kingston for care. He spent Christmas in the ICU there, far from home and family. “It was tough and a mental struggle,” says Nick.

Since then, he hasn’t had any issues with his heart. But Nick worries it could happen again – to himself or someone else. That’s why he’s become a donor, volunteer and ambassador for the PRHC Foundation’s $60 million Campaign for PRHC, supporting bringing lifesaving electrophysiology to our region.

With donor support, an advanced Cardiac EP Lab at PRHC will bring new, world-class cardiac treatment and therapies to our region for the first time, eliminating the need for patients to travel far from home for care during an already stressful and urgent time.

“It’s important to be able to get care closer to home. Donors can help make that happen,” says Nick.

For more information or to donate, please call 705-876-5000 or click here.

Together we thank on Giving Tuesday

December 3rd is Giving Tuesday—a global movement that started in 2012. It’s a day to encourage kindness, generosity, and doing good. Over the years, it’s grown into something incredible, inspiring millions of people around the world to give back and make a difference.

Here at the PRHC Foundation, we see the power of generosity every single day. From donations to volunteering to spreading the word about the $60 million Campaign for PRHC, our supporters never stop rallying around Peterborough Regional Health Centre. We can’t thank you enough for all the ways you’re helping us reimagine healthcare for the 600,000 people who rely on our regional hospital.

“Together, we’re shaping the future of healthcare and making a difference in people’s lives—right here at home,” says PRHC Foundation President & CEO, Lesley Heighway. “Thank you for your kindness and for your continuous support.”

As we enter the holiday season, we’re celebrating the generosity of our community with a new initiative: the Sharing Tree.

The tree is traveling around Peterborough, stopping at local businesses and organizations, where people are invited to share their stories, memories, or words of thanks about PRHC by writing them on ornaments. It’s been amazing to see the tree fill up with heartfelt messages that highlight just how much this hospital means to so many people.

When the tree returns to PRHC in time for Christmas, it’ll spread warmth and encouragement to everyone who sees it.

If you’d like to help decorate the tree, we invite you to share your stories or messages on the Sharing Tree webpage.

To donate to the PRHC Foundation’s $60 million Campaign for PRHC, please click here.

Your support is helping shape the future of healthcare in our region. Thank you!

PRHC Foundation volunteers bring Sharing Tree project to life to connect the community and support PRHC

The PRHC Foundation reImagineers, a group of ambassadors passionate about their community, regional hospital and the Campaign for PRHC, have launched a heartwarming project called the Sharing Tree.

This holiday season initiative invites community members to rally around our regional hospital by sharing their connections with PRHC – whether it’s a story of exceptional care, a cherished memory, or a message for PRHC’s doctors, nurses, staff and patients.

“We hope that by sharing our own stories, we can inspire others to reflect on their connections with the hospital,” says Lisa Couture, a reImagineer, donor and owner of Couture Candy PTBO. “Each message on the Sharing Tree serves as a reminder of the care, compassion and support that bring us all together.”

The project launched Saturday, November 23 at Lisa’s shop in downtown Peterborough. The idea is simple but powerful: anyone with a connection to PRHC is encouraged to write down a message, story or words of encouragement on an ornament, which will then be placed on the Sharing Tree. Lisa celebrated the launch of the tree with her own fundraiser in support of the PRHC Foundation: from now until December 24, 2024, $1 from each $19.99 mixed candy bag will be donated towards the Campaign for PRHC.

“We’re grateful for the dedication of the reImagineers and their work to connect the community and hospital in such a meaningful way,” says Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of PRHC Foundation. “The tree will spread warmth and encouragement through the community, then bring cheer to the hospital over the holiday season, while supporting the Campaign for PRHC.”

The Sharing Tree will travel to locations around the region and will come ‘home’ to PRHC in time for Christmas. The heartfelt messages will be on display in the hospital where doctors, nurses, staff and patients can find inspiration from each shared story. There’s also an online version of the tree, making it easy for everyone to take part. As the tree makes its physical journey around the area, website visitors can add their messages digitally.

“Help us decorate the tree with hope, warmth and gratitude,” says Nick Beamish, a reImagineer, grateful patient and donor. He and his fellow reImagineers are committed to supporting the PRHC Foundation’s $60 million Campaign for PRHC. They’ll continue to develop initiatives throughout the campaign that will engage and inspire the community to think about their connections to the hospital and give in support. PRHC serves a population of up to 600,000 and relies on community donations to fund the tools needed to save and change patient lives.

To see an ongoing list of locations where the tree will be stopping this holiday season, visit the Sharing Tree webpage and stay tuned to our social media for updates. Thank you to our Sharing Tree partner locations and all participants for contributing to our Campaign for PRHC efforts!

Photo: From left, PRHC Foundation President & CEO Lesley Heighway, Matt and Lisa Couture, Susan Dunkley, Noah Crowley, Nick Beamish and son Luke, Jess Crowley and son Theo, and Darryl Porter. In front is PRHC Foundation Manager, Community Giving & Engagement Jane Lovett with son Sam.

Connect with your hospital and community through the Sharing Tree!

As part of the PRHC Foundation’s Campaign for PRHC, we invite you to connect with your hospital and community through the Sharing Tree.

We’d love to hear what Peterborough Regional Health Centre means to YOU. Submit your PRHC care story or a message of thanks for PRHC’s doctors, nurses and staff on the Sharing Tree. Your message will encourage others to think about their connections to PRHC and lift the spirits of our healthcare experts.

There are two ways to participate:
1. Online
  • Visit the Sharing Tree webpage to see the digital tree and submit your story or message through the online form.
  • We’ll post your story or message on the digital tree and print a copy to hang in the PRHC lobby.
  • Watch for us around the region and follow us on social media for updates on the journey of the Sharing Tree.
2. In person
  • Visit the Sharing Tree at area locations throughout November and December.
  • Write your story or message on an ornament and hang it on the Sharing Tree.
  • When we bring the tree ‘home’ to PRHC, your ornament will hang in the PRHC lobby and be shared on the Sharing Tree webpage. 

Thank you to our Sharing Tree partner locations and all participants for contributing to our Campaign for PRHC efforts!

Noah, Jessica & Theo’s Story

We are so lucky with the resources we have available at PRHC that our son was able to be delivered, cared for, and checked on throughout his birth. The labour and delivery team are a special kind! Erica and the L&D staff are incredible, and we had the most amazing experience. We will never be able to thank you enough.