A generous gift from a long-time donor is bringing more world-class cancer detection and treatment technology to south-central Ontario, giving patients and their families new hope.
The Ron and Nancy Clark Foundation’s $1,395,000 gift will benefit two priority initiatives: a new Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scanner, and magnetic seed therapy equipment at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre (JHCC).
For over 60 years, the Caledonia-based foundation has advanced health care in south-central Ontario — supporting Hamilton Health Sciences since 2012 with more than $8.6 million enabling many priority projects including the build of the Ron and Nancy Clark Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies Unit at JHCC. Supporting Hamilton Health Sciences has been extremely important to the Foundation, as cancer patients from the Caledonia/Haldimand community are commonly referred to Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre for care.
“The Foundation believes that giving back to health care is one of the most meaningful ways to support our community. For over a decade, we have been thrilled to see the impact of our partnership with Hamilton Health Sciences, demonstrating time and time again what can be achieved when we work together to build a brighter future for patients and their families.”
– The Ron and Nancy Clark Foundation
Accelerating Answers with PET/CT
Early and accurate diagnosis is critical for effective cancer treatment. Thanks to this gift, health care teams at JHCC will have access to one of the most powerful tools in modern cancer care: the PET/CT scanner. This advanced imaging system provides a detailed, real-time view of cancer activity in the body. It allows oncologists to locate tumors with greater precision, and gather the exact information needed to create personalized treatment plans. For patients, this means a faster path to the right treatment and better outcomes.
“The PET/CT scanner is transformative in how we diagnose and monitor cancer. It allows us to see not just where cancer is, but how it’s behaving. This will enable our clinicians to make faster, more accurate decisions and deliver the most effective, individualized care possible.”
– Dr. Chris Hillis, Chief of Oncology, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre
Making Breast Surgery Safer and More Precise
The Ron and Nancy Clark Foundation’s contribution is also advancing care for patients managing a breast cancer diagnosis. The introduction of magnetic seed therapy is making breast cancer surgery safer, more comfortable, and more efficient. This innovative technique replaces the need for older, radioactive methods of tumor localization. Surgeons can now insert a tiny, non-radioactive magnetic seed to mark a tumor’s location. Using a handheld probe, they can guide the procedure with extreme accuracy, ensuring the complete removal of cancerous tissue while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. This technology reduces the number of procedures a patient may need and improves their overall experience.
“The support of strong partners like the Ron and Nancy Clark Foundation is so important to bringing to life the innovative treatments and therapies that make meaningful change in the lives of patients.”
– Anissa Hilborn, CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation
A Legacy of Transformative Giving
The ongoing generosity of the Ron and Nancy Clark Foundation brings more than just leading-edge equipment and resources to JHCC. It brings hope to patients and peace of mind to their families. Their visionary support ensures clinical specialist teams have the cutting-edge tools they need to provide the best possible care. This enduring partnership is a powerful example of how community-focused philanthropy directly improves and saves lives.