Cancer Won’t Wait campaign launches with an urgent call to the B.C. government to build the Kamloops Cancer Centre

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Today, The Thompson Regional Hospital District (TRHD) launched Cancer Won’t Wait, a campaign advocating for the urgent need for local cancer care. Bringing together communities from across the TRHD, the campaign is the result of frustration and disappointment after nearly three decades of promises to build the Kamloops Cancer Centre.

The Government of British Columbia is expected to announce their much-anticipated approval of the business case to build the Kamloops Cancer Centre at Royal Inland Hospital soon. This is a necessary and significant step forward as the community looks to see the start of construction, but there is still a long road ahead before shovels hit the ground.

“Our region has experienced nearly 30 years of missed deadlines made by this and previous governments,” said Mike O'Reilly, Chair of the Thompson Regional Hospital District. “We had no choice but to launch this campaign to remain top of mind with the government and try to accelerate the construction timeline, because Cancer Won’t Wait.”

It is estimated that 40 per cent of patients receiving radiation treatment at the BC Cancer Centre near Kelowna General Hospital are from the Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap health service delivery area. Patients are currently travelling great distances to Kelowna to receive these vital treatments, affecting their quality of life and ability to receive outside support.

“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,” said Merlin Blackwell, Mayor of Clearwater, B.C. “I am encouraged by the launch of this campaign because Cancer Won’t Wait for our health system to play catch up and address these problems. We know getting shovels in the ground quickly in Kamloops will help patients who need it the most.”

To learn more, visit CancerWontWait.ca to stay up to date and get involved.

-30-

The Thompson Regional Hospital District (TRHD) is administered by the Thompson Regional Hospital District Board, under the Hospital District Act, and is located within the Interior Health Authority. Like all Regional Hospital Districts in B.C., the TRHD generally exists to borrow funds and finance construction projects or equipment purchases at facilities within its boundaries. Capital projects are cost-shared between the Province of B.C. and TRHD.

For all media inquiries, contact: info@cancerwontwait.ca