September 26, 2016
Cancer survivor Lynn Rollins sits in a new heated treatment chair in the newly expanded cancer clinic at the High River Hospital. With her are registered nurses Candice Stanton, left, and Jennifer Bosse. The expanded clinic came about with the support of the Cancer Care … Close to Home campaign and the joint efforts of the High River District Health Care Foundation and the High River Rotary Club.
Kerri Robins; photo courtesy of Cathy Couey
As High River Hospital celebrates the opening of its expanded community cancer centre — the community can give itself a big pat on the back.
“It’s been a community fundraising initiative from the start, and I’m proud to be part of such remarkable community drive and partnership to increase space for cancer treatments in our area,” says Dr. Adam Vyse, family physician and cancer centre supervisor.
“After everything High River has been through, the power of people’s intentions is incredible.”
Funded by the ‘Cancer Care…Close to Home’ campaign, the expansion hasn’t affected the number of patients being treated, but it’s created extra space to make the area more comforting and welcoming for patients and staff as it maintains more privacy and relieves overcrowding.
And that’s important when patients and doctors need to discuss treatment options. “I’m thrilled with the new space and everyone using it really deserves it,” says breast-cancer survivor Lynn Rollins of High River.
"I had my cancer treatments in the old clinic space where it was difficult to find space for private conversations with the clinical team,” adds the 66-year-old and former director of five urgent care centres for AHS across Calgary zone.
Rollins was diagnosed in September 2012 and, after surgery in October of that year to remove a lesion in her left breast, Rollins says she was fortunate to have her standard chemotherapy treatment right at home in High River.
“I was a robust, busy woman, and my breast cancer diagnosis knocked me on my heels,” says Rollins.
“Even though I had to travel to Tom Baker Cancer Centre for some of my chemotherapy and radiation treatment, being able to stay home for a lot of my treatments was not only convenient, but comforting as well.”
Vyse, who followed Rollins throughout her entire treatment, agrees that commuting is tough for people experiencing cancer treatments.
“Traveling is a hardship for our cancer patients because of costs, time and energy. Also, many of them are seniors and may not drive, or may not have someone who can drive them. Having a non-stressful commute closer to home is a much healthier option than driving into Calgary.”
After 18 weeks of treatment over the winter of 2012 and spring of 2013, Rollins has been cancer-free. “The cancer clinic has always had a calming, family-friendly atmosphere, and that hasn’t changed with the expansion,” says Rollins.
Cancer Clinic charge nurse Kim Lush says: “With the exception of radiation, we follow our patients’ full treatment plan from the moment they walk in the door — for instance, chemotherapy, symptom management, transfusions, monitoring blood levels, follow-up visits and IV fluids.”
Thanks to the community fundraising started in May 2013 through the High River District Health Care Foundation, and the Rotary Club of High River, the $1.6 million expansion project is expected to contribute to future growth in treating more patients.
Renovations included knocking out walls in the existing cancer treatment area to rebuild the space to meet current standards for the medical facility. The old space of 400 sq. ft has been increased by about 1700 sq. ft to a new area of 2100 sq. ft. The old clinic could accommodate five patients and IV pumps at a time, and perform about 120 procedures a month.
The cancer clinic — part of a pilot program for rural Alberta since 1999 — considers the expansion a step forward in the patient-friendly philosophy shared by the foundation and AHS.
The High River Rotary Club, after a tour of the existing space, approached the High River District Health Care Foundation with a fundraising proposal. Today, both MaryAnn Kyllo, President of the High River Rotary Club, and Greg Spence, Chair of the foundation, say they’re thrilled to be celebrating this milestone.
“This wasn’t just our efforts,” says Kyllo. “It’s been a community project from the get-go, and as unfortunate as a cancer diagnosis is, it’s because of cancer that we embarked on a project that, in the end, has united and bonded our entire community.”
Spence agrees: “This has been an incredible journey for us, for many reasons. But foremost, it proves our extraordinary community spirit and what we can do when we pull together. Nothing is too big for us to tackle.”
Cancer-survivor Rollins adds: “After my diagnosis, I realized I had to start concentrating on family — and the High River Cancer Clinic team was instrumental in assisting me to enjoy and look forward to living life to the fullest again. For that gift I am forever grateful.”
For more information, visit www.highriverhealthfoundation.ca.
