Canada's largest breast cancer centre opens
Sunnybrook is marking the opening of its new Louise Temerty Breast Cancer Centre, which provides tailored care to thousands of patients. The Centre is the largest in the country and features expanded areas for specialized clinics, integrated breast imaging research and clinical trials.
"At Sunnybrook, we continue to make strides in our vision to invent the future of patient care," said Dr. Barry McLellan, Sunnybrook's President and CEO. "This new facility, as a key part of our Odette Cancer Program, represents a national centre of excellence that makes the most of the expertise and leading practices of our teams. It provides women with the best in breast cancer care. We deeply appreciate the generosity of our funding partners and donors who helped bring this Centre to life."
Housed on the sixth floor of M-Wing, the advanced 28,000-square-foot facility offers patients specialized clinics and unique programs, including:
- Marion C. Soloway Breast Rapid Diagnostic Unit: provides rapid assessment and next-day diagnosis for individuals with an abnormality on a mammogram, breast ultrasound or a clinical finding that is highly suspicious of breast cancer.
- Preventive/Genetics/High Risk Clinic: offers screening and genetic counseling for individuals at high risk including individuals with hereditary breast cancer.
- Locally Advanced and Neoadjuvant Breast Cancer program: focuses on tailoring innovative local and systemic treatment options for patients, using best clinical practice and novel research opportunities.
- Immediate Breast Reconstruction program: offers eligible patients undergoing a mastectomy or complex lumpectomy the option to be assessed for same-time cancer and reconstructive surgeries.
- PYNK: Breast Cancer Program for Young Women: is Canada's only comprehensive program meeting the needs of young women with breast cancer.
The Centre also provides direct access to breast imaging and diagnostic services for patients and for women participating in the Ontario Breast Screening and Ontario High Risk Screening programs.
"Women with breast cancer are not all the same. It affects women from their 20s to later in life. Each woman has different needs across the spectrum of breast care," said Dr. Eileen Rakovitch, Director of the Louise Temerty Breast Cancer Centre and Head of the Odette Cancer Program's Breast Cancer Care Team.
"Our work in the Centre is focused on continuing to improve breast imaging for the earlier detection of breast cancer, and to identify and bring innovations in research to also improve treatment, while responding to individual need as we provide rapid diagnosis, supportive care, research and breast clinical trials access, as well as education."
Named in honour of Louise Temerty, the Centre was able to open sooner thanks to a pivotal $10-million gift from Louise and Jim Temerty, Chairman and Founder of Northland Power Inc. The couple are long-time philanthropists and supporters of Sunnybrook, and Mrs. Temerty has dedicated her efforts to the breast cancer cause for decades. All told, Sunnybrook donors contributed $27 million toward construction of the Louise Temerty Breast Cancer Centre.
"Breast cancer patients have traditionally been put through a long waiting period for results. That wait can wear a person down — but not anymore," said Mrs. Temerty.
"The Centre's Breast Rapid Diagnostic Unit diagnoses women quickly so they can get started on treatment early. This Centre is going to save lives, and Louise and I are proud to play a role in its creation" said Mr. Temerty.
"Without the support of our donor community, we simply could not have built this leading-edge Centre. Investment by Sunnybrook donors is helping save lives," said Dr. Jon Dellandrea, President and CEO of Sunnybrook Foundation. "Donor investment has allowed us to accelerate this opening, providing care to our patients across the region faster."
Full media release
LARGEST BREAST CANCER CENTRE IN CANADA HERALDS A NEW ERA IN TAILORED CARE
April 4, 2013 (Toronto, ON) - Sunnybrook is marking the opening of its new Louise Temerty Breast Cancer Centre, which provides tailored care to thousands of patients. The Centre is the largest in the country and features expanded areas for specialized clinics, integrated breast imaging research and clinical trials.
"At Sunnybrook, we continue to make strides in our vision to invent the future of patient care," said Dr. Barry McLellan, Sunnybrook's President and CEO. "This new facility, as a key part of our Odette Cancer Program, represents a national centre of excellence that makes the most of the expertise and leading practices of our teams. It provides women with the best in breast cancer care. We deeply appreciate the generosity of our funding partners and donors who helped bring this Centre to life."
Housed on the sixth floor of M-Wing, the advanced 28,000-square-foot facility offers patients specialized clinics and unique programs, including:
- Marion C. Soloway Breast Rapid Diagnostic Unit: provides rapid assessment and next-day diagnosis for individuals with an abnormality on a mammogram, breast ultrasound or a clinical finding that is highly suspicious of breast cancer.
- Preventive/Genetics/High Risk Clinic: offers screening and genetic counseling for individuals at high risk including individuals with hereditary breast cancer.
- Locally Advanced and Neoadjuvant Breast Cancer program: focuses on tailoring innovative local and systemic treatment options for patients, using best clinical practice and novel research opportunities.
- Immediate Breast Reconstruction program: offers eligible patients undergoing a mastectomy or complex lumpectomy the option to be assessed for same-time cancer and reconstructive surgeries.
- PYNK: Breast Cancer Program for Young Women: is Canada's only comprehensive program meeting the needs of young women with breast cancer.
The Centre also provides direct access to breast imaging and diagnostic services for patients and for women participating in the Ontario Breast Screening and Ontario High Risk Screening programs.
"Women with breast cancer are not all the same. It affects women from their 20s to later in life. Each woman has different needs across the spectrum of breast care," said Dr. Eileen Rakovitch, Director of the Louise Temerty Breast Cancer Centre and Head of the Odette Cancer Program's Breast Cancer Care Team.
"Our work in the Centre is focused on continuing to improve breast imaging for the earlier detection of breast cancer, and to identify and bring innovations in research to also improve treatment, while responding to individual need as we provide rapid diagnosis, supportive care, research and breast clinical trials access, as well as education."
Named in honour of Louise Temerty, the Centre was able to open sooner thanks to a pivotal $10-million gift from Louise and Jim Temerty, Chairman and Founder of Northland Power Inc. The couple are long-time philanthropists and supporters of Sunnybrook, and Mrs. Temerty has dedicated her efforts to the breast cancer cause for decades. All told, Sunnybrook donors contributed $27 million toward construction of the Louise Temerty Breast Cancer Centre.
"Breast cancer patients have traditionally been put through a long waiting period for results. That wait can wear a person down - but not anymore," said Mrs. Temerty.
"The Centre's Breast Rapid Diagnostic Unit diagnoses women quickly so they can get started on treatment early. This Centre is going to save lives, and Louise and I are proud to play a role in its creation" said Mr. Temerty.
"Without the support of our donor community, we simply could not have built this leading-edge Centre. Investment by Sunnybrook donors is helping save lives," said Dr. Jon Dellandrea, President and CEO of Sunnybrook Foundation. "Donor investment has allowed us to accelerate this opening, providing care to our patients across the region faster."
-30-
Media contact:
Natalie Chung-Sayers, Communications Advisor
416.480.4040
