Caring for one another

Giving within community has been around for a long time

In my opinion, Cape Breton is one of the most giving and charitable places across the country.

Sure, we don’t have shiny industries like other regions, and we certainly aren’t the largest community – but when it comes to providing care and support for our neighbours, it would seem Cape Bretoners step up like nowhere else.

Take for example the blankets, toys, clothing and shelter that were all made available through generous community spirit when we experienced the Thanksgiving Day flood.

Well, I would like to take the opportunity to share with you what exactly Cape Bretoners have done (and continue to do) for healthcare in Cape Breton.

Flashing back to more than 25 years ago, a small group of passionate citizens came together to round up support to build a new hospital in Sydney; a hospital that would be a regional centre with specialized care. That small group grew into a community-wide initiative that resulted in the opening of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in 1995.

Since that time, solely through the giving nature of our community, we have created change; we have enabled thousands of our friends, family members, and neighbours to get the care they deserved, closer to home.

Cape Bretoners have come to the table time and time again to support one another.

Before the opening of the hospital in 1995, $6 million was raised by the community, of which $3 million was dedicated to build the Cape Breton Cancer Centre.

In 2008, with the leadership of Irving Schwartz, the community once again rallied to expand and enhance the services in the Cape Breton Cancer Centre. More than $6 million raised and provided state-ofthe-art equipment and care. In fact, our Cancer Centre at the Regional Hospital has been ranked among the top cancer centres across Canada for patient satisfaction.

Before the Cape Breton Cancer Centre opened in 1998, the majority of patients diagnosed with cancer had to be treated off-island – meaning thousands of dollars in travel and lodging, but more importantly, so much time spent away from family, friends and work. Today, we are happy to report that the numbers have reversed. 97 per cent of the 1,200 people diagnosed with cancer annually in Cape Breton are now able to be treated at home.

That’s all because of you. Cape Bretoners doing it for Cape Breton.

To date, the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation has raised more than $38 million – which has been directly invested back into our hospital to support patients.

The needs continue to grow, and our efforts have increased. The same attitude that built the Regional Hospital and dedication to our community is still what drives our fundraising efforts today.

As we look ahead, we have significant and urgent needs in cancer care, mental health, and pediatrics, maternal and newborn care and for priority equipment.

To anyone who has joined us on this journey, or continues to be an advocate and donor to healthcare on our island, I commend you for your passion to support Cape Bretoners.

Until no patient needs us, we need you.