Donor-funded digital pathology will be a game-changer for cancer care at PRHC

Powered by the PRHC Foundation’s $60 million Campaign for PRHC, our regional hospital will bring critical advancements like digital pathology to our region, keeping Peterborough Regional Health Centre at the forefront of medical innovation.

With the help of donors, PRHC is committed to transforming the future of healthcare in our community, and digital pathology is a key part of that vision. “Almost everyone will be impacted by cancer at some point in their life,” says pathologist Dr. Katie O’Reilly, PRHC’s Medical Director of Laboratory Medicine and PRHC Foundation ambassador for digital pathology. “If we don’t make a strategic decision now to digitize the pathology lab, we and our region’s patients will be left behind.”

Dr. O’Reilly is often asked what pathology is. Many people are unaware of the laboratory or what they do there, but it’s essential to many areas of care, including cancer care.

“If you come to the hospital for cancer care, there’s going to be some decision made in our laboratory in some way,” says Dr. O’Reilly. Pathology plays a vital role in cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. Digital pathology can speed up the process. Instead of relying on traditional glass slides, high-resolution digital images can be shared electronically between laboratories and pathologists, no matter where they’re located, making collaboration easier.

Right now, there’s a shortage of pathologists everywhere and cancer rates are on the rise – there were over 23,000 cancer care visits last year at PRHC. In addition, PRHC’s laboratory provides support for ­four partner hospitals. In total, 2.3 million tests were run through the laboratory in the last year.

Dr. O’Reilly believes this innovative technology will be a game changer for patient care in our region. “There’s more work than there are pathologists, so we’re hoping digital pathology can help us do more with less,” says Dr. O’Reilly.

Bringing digital pathology to PRHC will have many benefits, including:

  • Faster test result turnaround times for patients and physicians
  • Quicker diagnoses and treatment decisions for patients
  • Ability for pathologists to share and consult digitally
  • Improved accuracy

With continued investment from donors, the PRHC Foundation’s $60 million Campaign for PRHC will help bring this state-of-the-art solution to our regional hospital.

“Donor support is essential to making digital pathology a reality at PRHC,” says Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President & CEO. “Our donors are the driving force behind this campaign, helping us bring vital advancements in healthcare to our region.”

Dr. O’Reilly believes now is the time to bring this essential technology to PRHC and she knows it can’t be done without donor support: “Every bit of our work is possible because of the generosity of donors. Thank you so much.”

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

Better care for breast cancer patients

In 2024, 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.”

Hair by Fusion fundraiser supporting pediatric cancer care at PRHC in memory of Sofie Roberts

Sherri Wilfong, owner of Hair by Fusion, was inspired to host her “Blow-dry For a Cause” fundraiser in memory of Sofie Roberts, the daughter of her friend and former salon sales representative Brooke.

All proceeds from blow-dries and select sales at Hair by Fusion up until December 14th will be donated in support of pediatric cancer care at PRHC – inspired by the care Sofie received at the Health Centre.

Plus, those who make a $20 donation to the fundraiser – either online or in-store – will have their name entered to win one of four gift baskets filled with salon products (including $1,000 worth of products donated by Redken). 

The gift basket draw will take place at a special birthday party event on December 14th at 4pm, two days before what would have been Sofie’s tenth birthday.  

Thank you to the team at Hair by Fusion, and the Roberts family, for choosing to honour Sofie in this way. Donations raised will directly support an expanded, purpose-built pediatric cancer care space designed for the expert delivery of care close to home for vulnerable, young patients. 

Record-breaking donation from Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival

On October 9th, the PRHC Foundation proudly hosted this year’s Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival gift announcement. Together, the Festival’s host team, Survivors Abreast, the Dragon Boat Festival Planning Committee, Platinum Sponsor Kawartha Credit Union, paddlers, volunteers, and supporters, presented the Foundation with a record-breaking donation of $312,025.18 – the largest single gift in the Festival’s history!

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Grateful family fundraising for pediatric cancer care expansion

Peterborough mom Victoria Wasson says a part of her will forever relive the day her son, Wyatt, was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma. Two years ago at just eight months old, Wyatt received a scan on a donor-funded CT machine at PRHC which led to the diagnosis. 

Victoria shares, “On that day we were surrounded by the most compassionate and empathetic nurses and doctors. They immediately began to fight with us to save our son and to keep our family together.” 

Thanks to donors, Wyatt was able to receive some of his treatment at PRHC. This allowed the Wassons to stay close to home, pick up their daughter from school, and be home to have family dinner together. 

As of March 2023, Wyatt is in remission. Inspired by the expert, compassionate care he received, Victoria has launched a $5,000 fundraiser in support of pediatric cancer care expansion, one of the priorities of the PRHC Foundation’s $60 million Campaign for PRHC. The Wassons are dedicated to giving back as thanks for Wyatt’s care, and to help expand pediatric cancer care at PRHC so other children like him can receive their treatment there. 

Please visit the Wassons’ personal fundraising page to learn more about Wyatt’s journey or to make a donation.

Cancer Takedown: A spirit-raiser and fundraiser

Cancer Takedown is a spirit-raiser for anyone touched by cancer. This night of song and solidarity brings attention to the mental and emotional burden of cancer and unites people through shared experience, while fundraising for cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. 

The third annual event will feature performances by Kate Suhr, Melissa Payne, The Weber Brothers, Linda Kash, Megan Murphy, Kate Brioux, Denise Oucharek, and Anthony Bastianon.  

  • Date: Thursday, November 7th, 2024  
  • Location: Market Hall 
  • Tickets: Buy here
  • T-shirts: Email Amy

Check out the highlights reel from last year’s concert…