Photo provided.
By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation has launched its 33rd annual Light Up a Life campaign, with appeal letters soon to hit your mailbox.
Proceeds this year will support key investments to be made in NHH breast health care services, and the campaign is chaired by NHH Chief of the Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Lead of Breast/Women's Imaging, Dr. Sepideh Karkhanechi. Her own appeal will appear in those 3,000 letters to be sent out – along with the story of patient Julia Duguay, whose first-hand experience at NHH inspired her to reach out and pledge her support to help modernize breast-health technology.
“New technologies and approaches are helping us detect breast cancer earlier, improve detection in dense breast tissue and make the patient experience more comfortable,” Dr. Karkhanechi said in the announcement.
“We are at a pivotal moment, with an opportunity to build on the progress seen in breast health care to modernize our program.”
Key equipment investments set to be made in the coming year include a 3D mammography unit with contrast capabilities, a new ultrasound unit and a bone mineral density scanner. As well, following a recent trial period at NHH, wire-free breast tissue localization technology has now been introduced for patients with nonpalpable breast tumours.
“Whether identified through routine screening or diagnostic imaging following a breast change, early detection is crucial,” Dr. Karkhaneci said,
“Modern equipment and technology are essential to find breast cancer before it can be felt by hand, which often means tumours are smaller and less likely to have spread to regional lymph nodes or distant organs of the body.”
Fund raised through this year's Light up a Life campaign will support these investments for earlier diagnosis, improved patient comfort and better outcomes for patients and families facing breast cancer.
Since Light Up a Life's inception, more than $4.8-million has been raised to fund medical equipment and technology at NHH.
And this year's campaign includes a third-party fundraiser that is returning in support of these efforts.
JJ's Steak & Burgers in Cobourg is hosting its annual Christmas Tree Raffle throughout the month of November, for the chance to win a one-of-a-kind fluffy decorated Christmas tree. Drop in (at 8 Elgin St. E. in Cobourg) by Nov. 30 to get your tickets ($5 each or three for $10).
For more information on this year's campaign, visit www,NHHFoundation,ca/Light-Up-a-Life
