File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Kamloops Cancer Care

Hospital district launches campaign to ‘accelerate construction timeline’ of Kamloops cancer centre

Jan 31, 2024 | 10:50 AM

KAMLOOPS — A new campaign has been launched to advocate for cancer care in the Thompson region.

The Thompson Regional Hospital District (THRD) announced the ‘Cancer Won’t Wait’ campaign stems from “frustrations and disappointment” after multiple promises to build a cancer centre in Kamloops.

“Our region has experienced nearly 30 years of missed deadlines made by this and previous governments,” Mike O’Reilly, THRD chair says. “We had no choice but to launch this campaign to remain top of mind with the government and try to accelerate the construction timeline.”

Funding for the campaign was first approved at a hospital district board meeting last November.

In a news release issued Wednesday (Jan. 31), the THRD says it’s estimated that 40 per cent of patients receiving radiation treatment at the BC Cancer Centre in Kelowna are from the Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap health service delivery area.

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“As someone who lives in the region and has had four separate cancer diagnoses, I have first-hand experience waiting for and wanting cancer care to be closer to home,” Clearwater Mayor Merlin Blackwell says. “I am encouraged by the launch of this campaign… We know getting shovels in the ground quickly in Kamloops will help patients who need it the most.”

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix announced on Jan. 10, 2024, that the business case for a Kamloops cancer centre was complete. He said at the time he will provide the details when he visits Kamloops, “which should be soon.”