Patient says “thank you” for cancer care close to home

Doctor on stool and patient on bed smiling

At age 41, Melissa Hinze was a typically busy working mom, running a home business. But in October 2016, she visited PRHC’s Breast Assessment Centre with a suspicious lump. Scans revealed cancer in both breasts. She had biopsies and received an emergency diagnosis on the spot.

Melissa’s instinct was to fight. “What do we do next?” she asked. She met a patient navigator, received a referral for surgery, and shortly thereafter, had a double mastectomy. Since then, with her focus on living with cancer under the care of Dr. Neera Jeyabalan, Melissa has had hormone treatments, chemotherapy, further surgeries and hospital stays.

“PRHC is second to none,” she says about the donor-funded equipment and technology she’s so thankful for. She can’t imagine having to travel and stay elsewhere for treatment. Instead, all her care happens close to home.

Receiving care locally has been essential to Melissa’s ability to stay motivated. It’s allowed her to see life a little differently and notice what she calls “the silver linings” that come from having world-class cancer care close to home, thanks to donor generosity.

“Coming in here [to PRHC] and having great care is number one,” Melissa says, and for that she’s extremely grateful. “Because of this community, I have great care and the smartest, compassionate doctor. Even during COVID-19, I always feel safe coming to PRHC.” This allows her and her husband to focus on her care and healthy living at home, where she’s spending a lot more quality time with her kids.

Chemung Lake District Lions Club makes transformational gift in support of the Cardiac Cath Lab

Lions Club member presents a large cheque

Our deepest thanks to the Chemung Lake District Lions Club who have made a transformational gift of $250,000 in support of reinvestment in Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s Cardiac Cath Lab!

This very generous donation will help fund the advanced equipment cardiac patients from around our region depend on for minimally invasive, lifesaving care closer to home. Without it, thousands of patients from central eastern Ontario might have to travel as far away as Kingston or Toronto at a time when every second counts. The Lions’ donation will go a long way toward keeping this level of care at PRHC.

Thank you, Chemung Lake District Lions! We’re so grateful for your visionary commitment to regional cardiac care.

Congratulations and thank you to PRHC Foundation Board member Dan Moloney!

Foundation Board Member smiling

Dan Moloney has been a dedicated volunteer with the PRHC Foundation for 10 years and his continued service is being recognized with an Ontario Volunteer Service Award from the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. He’ll be honoured for his volunteer contributions at a virtual ceremony this month.

Dan is a hardworking, fun-loving volunteer and strong leader who’s committed to making a difference in our community, and we’re grateful to work with him. Thank you for your decade of service, Dan!