Anthony Salituro donates $1 million (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

CANCER SUPPORTS

Generous donation helps bring InspireHealth Supportive Cancer Care to Kamloops

Sep 10, 2025 | 4:35 PM

KAMLOOPS — As Kamloops residents wait for construction to begin on the new cancer care centre at Royal Inland Hospital, supportive care for cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones is a massive step closer to reality in the Tournament Capital. Thanks to a generous donation from a local businessman and support from the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation and Kamloops Cancer Supportive Care Society, InspireHealth is set to open up a physical facility in Kamloops

“Our $1 million will be donated today to open an InspireHealth supportive cancer care clinic right here behind me in Kamloops, B.C.,” announced Anthony Salituro, founder of the Pink Ribbon Charity Ball, on Wednesday (Sept. 10).

InspireHealth is a non-profit society that has previously offered virtual services in Kamloops but will now have a physical location to provide critical services.

“This clinic will provide patients and their families with resources, guidance and care that will go beyond treatment — care that supports the whole person,” said Salituro. “And this is just the beginning. I promise to commit time and to continue my philanthropy work with support of InspireHealth and to ensure that the people of Kamloops facing cancer will never have to work through this journey alone.”

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The $1-million donation from Salituro and the Pink Ribbon Charity Ball is the catalyst in bringing the free-of-charge support services to town, including one-on-one consultations and group programming with physicians, counsellors, registered dietitians and exercise therapists.

“All patients affected by cancer deserve free, comprehensive and easily accessible programs and services that improve their quality of life, health and wellbeing, and that is what this centre will provide,” said Loveena Chera, CEO of InspireHealth. “Comprehensive programming to support the physical and mental health of patients.”

Eight years ago, Ann McCarthy was given six months to live. On Wednesday, she stood at the podium, still fighting her diagnosis and advocating for importance of proper supports.

“Receiving supportive care has been a turning point in my cancer experience,” said McCarthy. “Working with InspireHealth and their wonderful compassionate healthcare team, I have learned that allowing myself to accept help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength.”

While the generous donation will help open the doors, work is underway to secure funding to ensure they never close.

“We will be looking to the community and government to help us pursue long-term funding, similar to the other cities that have InspireHealth,” said Heidi Coleman, Royal Inland Hospital Foundation CEO.

The official ribbon-cutting is expected later this year.

“They can’t promise to erase my cancer, but supportive care brings comfort, dignity and hope in the darkest moments,” said McCarthy.