Health Sciences North Foundation’s 28th annual Luncheon of Hope drew a crowd of around 400 people Tuesday, and included fundraising, stories of hope and progress, and the work being done to ensure no one in northeastern Ontario has to face cancer alone. Keynote speaker Andrew Haley was diagnosed with cancer twice at a young age and was given a 35 per cent chance of survival. Haley turned that challenge into motivation. After beating cancer, he went on to earn five medals at four Paralympic Games in competitive swimming. “The nurses, the volunteers, the families, the parents have been supportive along the way,” he said. “People may not know this, but the word team is ‘Together Everyone Achieves More.’ And I have a lot of people in my corner to help me achieve. And here in Sudbury, I’ve felt nothing but warmth since the moment I’ve gotten here.” Haley said he didn’t get to choose how his cards were dealt, but that over time, he overcame every challenge thrown his way. Some people at Tuesday’s event understood Haley’s story very well. Anne Marie Muraska is a member of the Sisterhood of Hope Support Group. “It can be going through many stages of cancer,” Muraska said. “It can be while you’re going through treatment, while you’re waiting for treatment, after you’ve had treatment, and many years after that, because it never goes away. You’re … always going to have that there (pointed to her head.) So, when you’re with a bunch of people who are exactly the same where you are, it’s a good feeling.” Medical oncologist Dr. Luisa Bonilla shared her work in leading regional initiatives in cancer research aimed at expanding high-quality survivorship care in northern Ontario. Raised $1.3 million “We gave more than 27,000 treatments, 38,000 radiation treatments a year,” Bonilla said. “Our motto is together for you,” said Anthony Keating, the HSN Foundation president and CEO. “And it really means that we are here for patients living in northeastern Ontario. And so this event really demonstrates how we come together as a community for our patients.” Since the Luncheon of Hope began 28 years ago, the event has raised more than $1.3 million for northern cancer care, as well as $103,000 at the Sept. 22 event. That far exceeded the fundraising goal of $50,000. The HSN Foundation said the oncology advancements support a population in the northern region of around 600,000 people. “All the oncology care … is centered at our cancer centre,” Bonilla said. “I have patients that live 600 kilometres from us … The way that the logistics at our cancer center is managed allows us to treat patients so far away and give very high-quality care, is amazing. It’s impressive. And that’s really because we have great people working at the cancer centre.” CTV News anchor Marina Moore was also on hand to emcee the event.
