Pictured left to right: Dr. Amanda Caissie, radiation oncologist, QEII and medical director of the Cancer Care Oncology Transformation Project; Sherry Porter, We Are Campaign Chair, Co-Chair, Cancer Care; Mike Bagnall, VP, Market Leader Atlantic, Commercial Banking; and Susan Mullin, president and CEO, QEII Foundation. DARREN HUBLEY
CIBC donates $500,000 to QEII Foundation to support cancer care
Nova Scotia patients will now have the option of virtual connection with their cancer care teams thanks to a patient-facing application that is part of a suite of digital tools launched through Nova Scotia Health’s Cancer Care Program’s Oncology Transformation Project (OTP).
On October 8, the QEII Foundation announced that CIBC will be supporting the patient engagement app through a $500,000 donation.
Developed by industry partner Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, the application actively engages patients and helps cancer care teams provide high-quality, evidence-based care more efficiently — before, during and after a patient’s treatment.
The Cancer Care Program is currently using the app to schedule patient appointments and providing virtual patient education, while later phases will roll out app functionality enabling patient-reported outcomes of physical, mental and emotional well-being. The eventual aim is to offer patients a 24/7 connection to cancer care teams.
Dr. Amanda Caissie, a QEII Radiation Oncologist, Department Head of radiation oncology at Nova Scotia Health, Medical Director of the Cancer Care Program’s Oncology Transformation Project (OTP), and innovator in residence at Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, said the “generous donation by CIBC will help us identify ways to better reach patients of Nova Scotia receiving care through the Cancer Care Program.”
“The difference is between the standard of care we are currently able to provide and the innovation we can contribute to the application. CIBC’s significant contribution will help us discover new ways to use the tool and unlock its full potential for patients and clinicians.”
Caissie also said CIBC’s donation will support Nova Scotians’ access to cutting-edge technology and set the QEII apart on the world stage of healthcare transformation.
With more than 45,000 people in Nova Scotia living with cancer and rates increasing each year, CIBC’s gift will have a direct impact on patients and families during their cancer journey.
The QEII Health Sciences Centre delivers world-class care to address some of the country’s highest cancer rates and is the largest specialized cancer centre for Atlantic Canadians.
Susan Mullin, president and CEO of the QEII Foundation, said the Foundation is grateful to work with partners like CIBC who are helping to increase access to care for patients.
Mullin said one of the most significant impacts of this application will be education when patients are trying to access reliable information.
“Thanks to CIBC, the investment that they are making in our patient engagement application is tremendous. It is something that will help the whole system. When you think about people, so many live rurally, having better access to caregivers and carefully selected and vetted information is important,” said Mullin.
CIBC’s donation is part of the QEII Foundation’s $100 million We Are campaign, the largest healthcare fundraising campaign in Atlantic Canada’s history — all in the name of transforming health care.
Mike Bagnall, CIBC’s VP, Market Leader Atlantic, Commercial Banking, said that CIBC has always valued being an anchor of support for Canadians fighting cancer.
“Cancer is a cause that is very important to us at CIBC because it affects so many Canadians, including our team members, clients, and loved ones. We invest in organizations delivering cancer research, treatment, screening and diagnosis, wellness, survivorship, and patient support programs. We’re proud to support the QEII and the patient engagement app, which will ensure patients have the support and tools they need during their journey.”
