Residents of the Island Lake region can now take part in group trips to St. Theresa Point, Manitoba, to access cancer screenings and support services closer to home. On February 3, 2026, CancerCare Manitoba announced this new program to help people from Garden Hill, Wasagamack, and Red Sucker Lake get the medical care they need without having to fly all the way to Winnipeg.
The coordinated travel is meant to make it easier and cheaper for families to get check-ups, especially since the Manitoba government recently lowered the age for breast cancer screenings to 45. To join a trip, residents should visit their local nursing station to register and find out when the next travel dates are set.
Organizers from the Four Arrows Regional Health Authority are working with local health staff to plan the travel using charter flights and winter roads. This system is designed to bring patients directly to specialized medical teams and mobile screening units stationed at the St. Theresa Point hub.
By grouping patients together, the program reduces the time people spend away from their families and the high costs of booking individual flights. Instead of spending several days travelling to the city for a short appointment, residents can now receive care and diagnostic tests within their own region.
