June 27, 2008

Today, the Northern Cancer Fund of the new Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation introduced a new program in support of breast cancer in Northwestern Ontario. The Circle of Angels program funds the activities of the Linda Buchan Centre for Breast Screening & Assessment in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

The Centre was named in honour of Linda Buchan, a courageous and tireless advocate in the fight against breast cancer. Linda was a Board member of the former Northern Cancer Research Foundation (NCRF) and a valued member of the Sun Life Financial Team.

In recognition of the inspiring dedication of their beloved employee and friend, Sun Life Financial presented a donation of $15,000 to the Circle of Angels program. Andy Ritchie, Sun Life Financial Centre Manager, says the gift is a meaningful tribute to Linda. “Linda will always be missed by her Sun Life family,” explains Ritchie. “This gift helps to ensure that Linda’s dedication to the fight against breast cancer continues and more lives can be saved. We hope it will make life brighter for the mothers, daughters, sisters and wives of our community.”

“Donations like this one from Sun Life Financial enable us to purchase state-ofthe-art technological equipment and provide diagnostic procedures and resource materials essential to the detection of breast cancer,” says Joanne Lacourciere, Director, Diagnostic Imaging for Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

The Circle of Angels program was created to provide financial sustainability to the Linda Buchan Centre, and more importantly, to offer love, support and comfort to every person dealing with a breast cancer concern. “Linda Buchan often spoke of angels and believed that they walked the earth,” says Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Health Sciences Foundation. “Through the Circle of Angels, we can all share in the power of supporting one another and becoming one of the angels Linda believed in.”

Susan Hughes, member of the Health Sciences Foundation’s Chair’s Advisory Committee, breast cancer survivor and friend of Linda Buchan, is also grateful for donations to the Circle of Angels program. “An early breast cancer diagnosis saved my life. Thanks to the Linda Buchan Centre, more women receive a diagnosis in a timely fashion or are relieved to learn that they do not have breast cancer,” she says. “Each donation in support of the Centre is a gift to all women now able to access the vital services they offer there,” she adds.

Donations to the Circle of Angels annual giving program help save lives because every dollar is invested in the remarkable programs and services available through the Linda Buchan Centre. These include:

• Diagnostic Mammography & Breast Ultrasound
• Core Biopsy
• Fine Needle Aspiration
• Ductography
• Patient information and Resource Materials
• Referral to psychosocial support as required
• Coordination of care by an experienced Breast Assessment Coordinator

The Circle of Angels is an annual giving program. Funds are directed to the Linda Buchan Centre through the Northern Cancer Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. The Northern Cancer Fund raises funds that are 100% dedicated to support excellence in cancer care in Northwestern Ontario.

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