Bluewater Health's cancer clinic has received a significant funding boost.
The Lockwood Foundation announced on Thursday it will contribute $1 million to support the clinic and the redevelopment project.
The $3.7 million project has been under construction for several months after being announced in 2023.
Oncologist Dr. Kenneth Yoshida said the donation helps the project move forward.
"This will allow us to continue to grow our program, it will continue for us to be able to see as many patients as requested and also to prevent the need to see visits in London that could be treated here," he said.
When the cancer clinic first opened nearly 15 years ago there was only one oncologist and one part-time general practitioner in oncology (GPO).
Currently, there are three oncologists and one half-time GPO who also assists with palliative care.
Yoshida said the clinic has now outgrown its space.
"The previously allotted space is no longer adequate to keep three full oncologist practices and part-time GPO's practice flowing," he said. "With the expected increase in patient visits over the next few years we would have a choice of either expanding or cutting back which would not be ideal."
The Lockwood Foundation was established in 1962 by Ambrose Lorne (A.L.) Lockwood.
"The Lockwood Foundation has a long history of supporting healthcare. A.L Lockwood was a physician himself, so this is a part of his legacy," said incoming President Ryan Doyle.
Since the 1980s, the foundation has primarily funded cancer care, treatment, and research.
Doyle said the cause is close to the foundation.
"Our family, the Doyle family, we've been touched by cancer unfortunately, so we're just happy to kind of give back in any way that we can, we're happy to be a part of it," he said.
Bluewater Health will be naming the patient registration space in the cancer clinic "The Todd and David Doyle Registration Area", in memory of outgoing president Peter Doyle and his wife Judy's late sons.
This is not the first donation to the hospital by the Lockwood Foundation. It has made two previous donations supporting healthcare in the community.
The Bluewater Health Foundation has now achieved 75 per cent of its fundraising goal for the clinic.
The updated facility is expected to be completed in the fall of 2025.