On February 4, 2026 (World Cancer Day), the Blanche River Health Foundation announced that a surge of community donations has expanded oncology services and diagnostic imaging at the Kirkland Lake site of Blanche River Health. The upgrades mean more residents can receive treatments such as chemotherapy and advanced screenings closer to home, reducing—but not completely eliminating—the need to travel for parts of their care.
Through recent fundraising, the hospital supported upgrades and renewals to local equipment, including CT imaging and digital mammography, aimed at reducing the need for patients to travel long distances to regional centres such as Sudbury (and in some cases Toronto) for routine treatments and screening. Blanche River Health says having these services available locally helps ease the physical and emotional stress on families during a cancer diagnosis.
The expansion was funded primarily through local initiatives such as the Foundations 50/50 lottery, the regional “Mammothon” screening challenge, and several major personal and estate gifts from community members. Examples from the Foundations recent media releases include a historic $250,000 living personal gift from Wayne and Tina Phippen and other major donations and bequests that together helped meet equipment needs. While the provincial government funds hospital operations and staffing, the majority of non-operational medical equipment at Blanche River Health is supported by community fundraising.
“Our clinicians rely on the Foundations fundraising efforts to supply the critical resources that make outstanding care possible. Every dollar raised helps fund the purchase of equipment that keeps our patients here, with their families, rather than on the highway,” said Jorge VanSlyke, President and CEO, Blanche River Health, underscoring the role of local donors in expanding care close to home.
