Irene Laing
The Fort Frances Kiwanis Club was pleased to have Anthony Kadikoff of Fort Frances, a director for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Foundation, as their guest speaker at their meeting Jan. 20 at La Place Rendez-Vous here.
Kadikoff focused on three major areas supported by the Foundation: Cancer Care, Cardiac Services, and Research.
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is now recognized as a medical centre with other world-class leading medical institutions in treatment and research resulting in top medical research professionals moving to Thunder Bay.
Kadikoff explained that Northwestern Ontario’s population, which is roughly 330,000 residents, continues to lead the province in key risk factors for cancer, including smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity, which leads to higher incidence rates of cancer.
The Northern Cancer Fund is dedicated to the fight against cancer in Northwestern Ontario. It helps to bring new, leading-edge equipment and cancer care programs to the region, sponsors awareness programs, and is helping to increase screening programs.
As well, it supports the Regional Cancer Care program that helps residents across the region get chemotherapy and other cancer services in their own communities.
It also funds the Tbay/Tel Tamarack House, a residence for regional patients who need to go to Thunder Bay for cancer treatment.
The Health Sciences Discovery Fund supports the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute, which is conducting research that will advance health care.
TBRRI works in partnership with the Health Sciences Centre and other key partners, including the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
On project now available in Thunder Bay—High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)—uses ultrasound waves to destroy tumours without harming surrounding tissue or involving invasive surgery.
The Institute continues to attract other world-class scientists to conduct research in this field.
The Northern Cardiac Fund, meanwhile, supports initiatives to battle heart disease through improved cardiac services.
The cardiac department currently is being expanded to accommodate the services of a second cardiologist coming to join the Cardiac Team at Thunder Bay Regional.
Kadikoff pointed out that 100 percent of donations to support world-class medical treatment are put to work right here in the regional hospitals of Northwestern Ontario.
Donors to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Foundation can choose to direct their gifts to the area of highest need—or to one of the specialty funds.
Kadikoff informed the Kiwanis Club that the Foundation currently is sponsoring a draw to be held Feb. 14. First prize is a 2011 Volkswagen, second prize is a 1964 Volkswagen Beetle, and third prize is two air trips.
Tickets sell for $20 each, which are available from Kadikoff.
The Kiwanis draw for a Cancer Care wrist watch was won by Jean Arbuckle.
