When John Jenah learned that only two hospitals in Ontario offered a groundbreaking treatment for men with enlarged prostates, he saw an opportunity to make a lasting difference.
Through the Paul B. Helliwell Foundation, John made a transformative gift through University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (UHKF) that helped launch Kingston Health Sciences Centre’s (KHSC) new laser enucleation program, bringing advanced, minimally invasive care to patients closer to home for patients across southeastern Ontario.
“At the time, there were only two sites in Ontario with this specialized equipment. After learning about the technology and its benefits for patients, we approached Kingston about acquiring it,” said John. “The Helliwell Foundation made three transformative donations (including Kingston) and we now have five hospitals in Ontario with laser enucleation programs.”
Laser enucleation is used to treat men with significant benign prostate enlargement. Unlike traditional open surgery, the procedure removes obstructing prostate tissue through the natural urinary passage, resulting in less bleeding, shorter hospital stays and a faster recovery. It can also improve upon a common procedure that removes a portion of the interior prostate tissue, with more complete removal, less bleeding and less recurrence of obstruction.
Many patients can return home the same day or the following day. They also experience improved urinary function, better bladder emptying and reduced nighttime urination (nocturia).
“The number one benefit is that it provides an effective, one-time, minimally invasive procedure for men with very large prostates,” said KHSC urologist Dr. Michael Leveridge, Head of the Department of Urology at Queen’s University School of Medicine. “Being able to achieve the same result through the natural opening of the urethra is a dramatic improvement for these patients.”
The donor-funded equipment includes the specialized technology needed to complete the minimally invasive procedure, allowing KHSC to offer treatment that was previously unavailable in the region.
For John, the investment reflects the Helliwell Foundation’s philosophy of supporting innovations that deliver meaningful impact to as many people as possible.
“This technology allows hospitals to treat more patients, more efficiently, and with better outcomes,” he said. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Dr. Leveridge says the program demonstrates how donor generosity helps hospitals keep pace with rapidly evolving medical technology and bring leading-edge care to patients sooner than would otherwise be possible.
“I’m not sure if the average person realizes how much innovation in health care depends on philanthropy,” he said. “Gifts like this keep innovation and advancements in patient care moving forward, ensuring patients have access to the best care here at home.”