A cancer diagnosis changes everything in an instant.
Your gift ensures the best care is here when you need it most.
Your gift by November 1 will help support access to urgent cancer care at Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN).
Need some help? Call 519-749-6797, Mon to Fri, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
You can help improve access to lifesaving cancer treatment closer to home
The future of cancer care in Waterloo Region, Wellington County, and beyond depends on all of us. Donor support makes advanced healthcare possible, funding the equipment and technology beyond what government support alone can provide.
2 in 5 Canadians
are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
3 of 5 LINACs
need replacement and a sixth is needed to expand capacity for growing patient demand.
4,000+
new patients annually (unique individuals).
Close to
200,000
appointments annually at the WRHN Regional Cancer Centre.
Donor support
makes advanced health care possible, funding the equipment and technology beyond what government support alone can provide.
Updating LINAC technology
A Linear accelerator (LINAC), is a machine that aims radiation directly at a tumour while sparing the healthy tissue around it. That precision means shorter treatments, fewer side effects, and a better chance of getting back to life.
It also supports the IDENTIFY system, a leading-edge motion-tracking technology that continuously monitors patient positioning during treatment. Paired with a LINAC machine, it helps ensure radiation is delivered with the highest possible level of precision and accuracy.
Every new or upgraded LINAC machine requires the room rebuilt around it: structural work, cooling systems, and the technology that makes the treatment itself more precise.
Community support from people like you covers roughly $2.2 million per machine.
To keep up with current and growing demand, the WRHN Regional Cancer Centre is looking to add a sixth LINAC to our complement of care.
Waterloo Regional Health Network has five Linear Accelerators (LINACs) delivering lifesaving radiation treatment to patients across our region.
With the help of generous donors, two of these machines have already been replaced with newer technology. Now, three more need to be replaced and upgraded to ensure patients continue to have timely access to precise, advanced cancer treatment.
Without these crucial upgrades patients waiting for lifesaving cancer treatment may have to wait longer if these aging machines break down.
Cancer touches nearly everyone.
Behind every diagnosis is a parent, spouse, sibling, colleague, or friend whose life has been interrupted by fear and uncertainty.
Your support means:
- Faster access to urgent treatment
- Better outcomes for patients
- Reduced stress for families
- More advanced care, close to home
- A stronger system for future generations
My personal journey wouldn't have gone so smoothly if my care wasn't close to home. I might have even lost my business if I hadn't been able to balance treatment and work. I felt like I received the highest level of care, frankly, in Canada, that I could have.
Haley Zaharia
Breast Cancer Survivor
Government funding through Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) helps fund the base LINAC equipment-but that investment depends on our community doing its part.
Donor support funds the critical renovations, infrastructure and technology needed to bring these machines into service and enhance what they can do for patients.
It is this partnership that takes cancer care from good to great. Community support helps unlock government investment while making possible the technology and enhancements that can improve accuracy, increase treatment capacity and help patients receive the care they need sooner.
At the same time, our region continues to grow. In addition to replacing the three remaining LINACs, adding a sixth LINAC is an important priority to increase capacity and help meet growing demand for cancer care.
Your gift today will improve access to care replacing aging technology, improve the cancer journey for patients and prepare the WRHN Regional Cancer Centre to meet the growing needs of our community.
