Women facing a breast cancer diagnosis in southeastern Ontario will now have access to an MRI designed specifically to support rapid breast imaging and investigation. The new MRI unit was officially opened today by Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) at the Breast Imaging Kingston (BIK) site.
Funded in part through a remarkable community fundraising effort, the new MRI will enhance breast cancer care while creating additional MRI capacity for patients across the region.
“For patients facing the uncertainty of a possible breast cancer diagnosis, timely access to the right test can make an enormous difference," said President and CEO, Dr. David Pichora. "It will give our health-care teams another powerful diagnostic tool to support breast cancer care, while also creating additional capacity within our broader health system as KHSC now operates three MRI machines compared to several years ago when we had only one.”
MRI scans are an important diagnostic tool for certain patients with breast cancer, providing detailed information to compliment mammography and ultrasound scans. It helps health-care professionals assess breast abnormalities, determine the extent of the disease, and plan treatment.
Approximately 2,500 breast MRI exams are currently performed at KHSC each year. Moving these patients to BIK will help free capacity for other patients waiting for MRI services at the Kingston General Hospital site.
“From the design of the space to the way services are delivered, our goal is to provide a comfortable and compassionate environment for our patients,” said Dr. Doris Jabs, Rose of Hope Clinical Chair in Breast Health. “This MRI will improve care for our patients by making sure we can provide the best possible breast health-care services in one location.”
The MRI was made possible, in part, through funds raised at the annual Rose of Hope Golf Tournament. The Rose of Hope committee raised $1 million for the MRI in only three years, thanks to the generosity of golfers, sponsors, donors, volunteers and community members.
“We knew that a dedicated MRI could make a meaningful difference for women facing breast cancer while also helping patients across the region,” said Sherri McCullough, Chair of the Rose of Hope committee. “We are incredibly proud that the generosity of the Rose of Hope community has helped make this possible.”
Homestead Landholdings and the estate of the late Brit Smith also contributed funds to support the purchase of the new MRI.
“Philanthropy has a tremendous ability to transform health care in our community,” said Paul McIntyre Royston, University Hospitals Kingston Foundation. “The $1 million raised by Rose of Hope shows what is possible when donors, volunteers and community members come together around a shared goal. This MRI will make a meaningful difference for people facing breast cancer and help improve access to MRI services across the region.”
The total cost to purchase the MRI, including construction of the MRI suite, was $6 million, and the annual operating costs of the MRI will be provided by the Ontario government. To learn more about BIK, visit www.KingstonHSC.ca/BreastImagingKingston