The pending redevelopment of Bluewater Health's (BWH) Cancer Clinic is getting a major boost thanks to a local industry partner.
On Monday, NOVA Chemicals announced a $500,000 contribution to the project, putting the hospital over half way toward its $3.7 million goal.
The initiative is funded entirely through community donations.
Work will include a complete overhaul of the second floor Norman Street building, and the redevelopment will bring together Oncology, Pharmacy and the Laboratory in a network of services to provide a seamless patient experience.
Patient Fernando Penedo, who actually helped build the hospital, was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer in April 2021.
He said he can't thank the staff at Bluewater Health enough for their treatment, kindness and support.
"It's amazing, these people are angels in there," said Penedo. "The way they dedicate themselves, you can tell they work but the love they put into every single patient is something that I express my gratitude for as a patient."
Penedo was given just four months to live at the time, and has exceeded doctors' expectations.
"This April is going to be my third year, and it's because of the blessing we've got here in our facility," he said. "The treatment they provide and the caring for all of us."
Bluewater Health Director of Surgery and Medical Imaging Ray Meyer said the new space is much needed.
The current cancer clinic, which features four physicians, 12 registered nurses and admin staff, moved into its current location 15 years ago.
"We've outgrown our current space, and this space will provide us ample room to care for our patients now and into the future," said Meyer. "Right now, we see over 300 new cancer patients a year, and those patients come multiple times. So, we continue to grow and we'll be able to provide more services here at Bluewater Health."
Meyer said the newly redesigned clinic will feature more exam spaces.
"Right now, we have four exam rooms and we're moving up to six," he said. "We'll have a family conference room where physicians and staff can meet with families and patients. It'll be a great, newly designed space. Something that's more therapeutic. The colours and the theme are more holistic and healing versus a stark, white clinical feel."
Bluewater Health Foundation Executive Director Kathy Alexander is thrilled the hospital will be able to help more people, and says NOVA's name will be on the redeveloped space.
She said an estimated two in five Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
"It's an incredible donation that we're just so honoured to receive and so grateful," said Alexander. "NOVA Chemicals is a wonderful community partner, not only to the hospital but to many other charity partners. This gift really does demonstrate their commitment to the community and to local healthcare. We heard it a lot today that when people have access to local care, close to home, it really is critical and important."
NOVA Vice President of East Manufacturing Joe Wolf recently stepped into his role a couple of months ago.
He said announcing this contribution is a great way to start his career with the company.
Wolf said, like many others, he's been personally touched by cancer.
"First, I lost my grandfather to cancer which was devastating," said Wolf. "It came on, they diagnosed it, and two months later he was no longer with us. Shortly thereafter my idol, my father, he was six months from retirement and went to work one day and passed away. He had undiagnosed cancer. Then after that, within about a five year stretch, I lost my mother. It was a long battle that was diagnosed, but she struggled."
During the 2021-22 calendar year, 2,234,531 lab tests were performed at the local cancer clinic, along with 313 biopsies, 61 per cent of which tested positive for cancer. That same year, Bluewater Health saw 3,726 chemotherapy visits, 7,696 outpatient visits, 737 virtual visits and performed 1,866 diagnostic procedures.
The request for proposals process is coming to a close, and work is hoped to get underway soon.
It's a 12 to 18 month, multi-phase project, and the goal is to have it completed by the spring of 2025.
