The South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation has received a significant contribution for the expansion of the oncology department at the Penticton Regional Hospital.
On Dec. 4, the Summerland Health-Care Auxiliary presented a cheque for $150,000 to the medical foundation.
The donation is part of a five-year commitment by the auxiliary to raise $1 million for the oncology unit, but the auxiliary is ahead of schedule in its fundraising efforts.
Since the beginning of this year, the auxiliary has raised $350,000, more than one-third of its promised target.
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The medical foundation is working to raise $10 million to build a new oncology clinic at the Penticton Regional Hospital.
Ian Lindsay, executive director of the medical foundation, said the project will see Penticton’s oncology department double in size.
Last year, more than 750 patients used the services of the oncology department. This year, the number has tripled. Many more, however, still need to travel to Kelowna for their cancer treatments.
The staff at the larger facility will increase from two full-time nurses to six full-time nurses and a social worker.
According to information from the medical foundation, one in two Canadians will experience cancer within their lifetimes.
Lindsay said the work done by the Summerland Health-Care Auxiliary is helping to provide the service.
“Thank you for the years of service and the donations you give,” he said. “Thank you for your service and support in the past and thank you for your support today.”
The auxiliary was formed in 1909 and has provided funding for health-related initiatives in the community and the region.
Over the years, it has presented $7.66 million in donations to health services.
The money is raised from sales at the auxiliary’s thrift store on Victoria Road North. The store is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 1 to 4 p.m.
The thrift store was opened in 1958 and has been at its present location. It has more than 170 volunteers, although Shannon Toop, president of the auxiliary, said more volunteers are needed.