Collective Community Effort Brings Expanded Cancer Services to Russell with PC Support
RUSSELL — Better access to chemotherapy has arrived for residents across the Municipality of Russell-Binscarth and area thanks to the opening of an expanded CancerCare Manitoba space with funding support by Progressive Conservatives, Swan River MLA Rick Wowchuk shared this morning.
In 2022, the previous PC government announced an investment of $700,000 towards expanding the Community Cancer Care Centre at the Russell Health Centre, in addition to the $2.9 million raised by the Expanding Community Cancer Care Committee (ECCCC), whose membership is comprised of 15 surrounding communities. Prairie Mountain Health will contribute annual operating costs for the expansion.
“This is an incredibly exciting and emotional day for everyone involved,” said Wowchuk. “It was a long journey to get here, with tremendous support from the entire community.”
“I want to thank the ECCCC and the vision of co-chairs Gloria Tibbatts and Judy Forsythe, who worked so hard on this project for a number of years. Thank you also to PMH for their ongoing collaboration with the committee.”
Nearly quadrupling the size of the previous space, construction for the expansion began in mid 2023. The new centre opened to patients last month, with its grand opening taking place today. Earlier this year, Wowchuk, along with Official Opposition Leader Wayne Ewasko and PC MLAs, were honoured to celebrate the successful project at an ECCCC-hosted gala, which raised another $31,000 for the centre.
“This is a story of community coming together to improve healthcare for Manitobans and families fighting cancer,” said Wowchuk. “A decade after forming their committee, countless hours of hard work, and millions of dollars raised, the community has a new, expanded CancerCare Centre. I am so proud of our constituency.”
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Watch the 2022 announcement
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