“I don’t think people realize what a truly world-class healthcare

resource the Cancer Centre is.”– Dr. Michelle Prince, local cancer survivor

Relying on the Foundations of a great institution!

Patient and Family Advisory Council

“I’m so grateful for the extraordinary level of cancer care that’s available so close to home, right here in Windsor.”

- Gary McNamara, local leader and cancer survivor

Inside: a snapshot of our Centre’s cancer services...

We hear and see it all the time: local patients obtain a diagnosis at our Cancer Centre and seek second opinions elsewhere, often at the world’s most renowned clinics. We never discourage this; people facing a cancer battle want and need reassurances. But what is reassuring to us, as a leading cancer care facility, is how often they come back – with our diagnosis confirmed and with assurances that Windsor Regional Hospital’s Cancer Centre and its compassionate care teams are second to none. Building that kind of trust is what we strive for every day, with every patient.

We hope you’ll spend a moment with us and get to know about our Centre’s skilled people, advanced equipment and welcoming, caring atmosphere. All of us are very proud of our Cancer Centre’s work and we think you will be, too!

www.wrh.on.ca/wrcpBig enough to know how. Small enough to know you.

The Cancer Centre is an outpatient facility located at Windsor Regional Hospital, Met Campus. It is part of the Cancer Program which includes the hospital’s 4W Inpatient program. The Windsor Regional Hospital Cancer Program is one of the cancer care delivery partners within the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program.

2220 Kildare RoadWindsor, ON N8W 2X3519-253-5253 1-844-904-2273 Ext. 58558www.wrh.on.ca/wrcp

This Council, made up of current and former patients and their families, meets regularly to discuss issues surrounding the patient experience. In its role as the “voice of the patient,” the Council helps us implement changes that improve care for current and future patients.

Two organizations stand out for their long-term impact on our quality of care. Both dedicate 100% of their fundraising to local initiatives.

The Windsor Essex County Cancer Centre Foundation has raised over $25 million since 1996, helping fund everything from the Centre facility to ongoing equipment upgrades and advanced new clinical tools. It funds improvements to furniture, artworks, and other decor elements that make the Centre so warm and comfortable. The Foundation has also supported local research initiatives, with contributions totaling almost $1.5 million.

The Windsor Essex Hospitals Foundation is another valued provider of essential funding that enhances the capacity of the cancer program. Its support is gratefully acknowledged.

Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara with long-time Cancer Centre volunteer Tony Peters.

While the technology of care is essential to better patient outcomes, compassion is an equally important component of the healthcare spectrum. That’s why our staff go to such great lengths to enhance the care experience at the Cancer Centre.

The facility itself offers an inviting ambiance, with the main lobby providing views of a peaceful water garden and a grand piano that volunteers often play. Throughout the facility, you’ll find comfort stations offering free hot beverages and cookies.

Details matter: to enhance our patients’ comfort during chemotherapy sessions, we provide heated recliner chairs with built-in massage functions, and warmed blankets, while radiation patients enjoy waffle-knit robes to wrap up in. And because looking good is important to feeling good, our Image Enhancement Program, provides ongoing funding to supply wigs, hats, and scarves.

Feeling good is an important part of our patients’ overall well being and an essential part of their recovery.

Our amazing volunteers!Our patients derive immeasurable benefit from the more than 100 volunteers who support the Centre in dozens of essential capacities. They provide personal assistance to patients and work behind the scenes to facilitate the Centre’s operation. In many senses, they are the front-line “face” of the organization.

Dr. Michelle Prince and her chemo team, left to right: Terri Johntson, DiAnne Natyshak, Hannah Morrison, Maggie Genna, Dr. Prince, Carolina Nightingale, Sarah Greco-Irvine and Margret Pare

It’s not just about our patients getting better; it’s also about making them feel better.

Just how advanced is our local Cancer Centre? You may be surprised...

BY the numBeRS*vISItS to RegIonAl CAnCeR CentRe

CASeS RevIeWed BY multIdISCIPlInARY CAnCeR CounCIlS

neW ChemotheRAPY CASeS

neW RAdIAtIon CASeS

ReCeIved genetIC CounSellIng

neW PRoStAte dAP ReFeRRAlS

neW lung dAP ReFeRRAlS

neW ColoReCtAl dAP ReFeRRAlS

PAtIentS uSed telemedICIne SeRvICe

59,587 1,6302,1891,409

256 87

4151,175

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What makes this such a great Cancer Centre?

B E T T E R C A N C E R T R E AT M E N T AT w i N d s o R R E g i o N A l h o s p i TA l C l i N i C A l R E s E A R C h M E N ’ s h E A lT h

C o M p R E h E N s i V E s U p p o R T i V E s E R V i C E s F o R pAT i E N T s A N d FA M i l i E s

t I m e l I n e 1 9 3 5 - 2 0 1 5 • A l W A Y S g R o W I n g A n d I m P R o v I n g . . . t o m e e t o u R C o m m u n I t Y ’ S h e A l t h C A R e n e e d S

RadiationIt’s much the same with our radiation therapy. By combining clinical expertise with some of the world’s most advanced technologies, we are able to accurately map tumour locations and deliver the precise radiation treatment. The result is a treatment that effectively targets tumours while dramatically reducing impact on healthy organs and tissues.

SurgeryPatients who need surgical procedures have access to a diverse local network of medical professionals with expertise in a wide variety of cancer types.

Expert cancer care, right here in our communityEveryone who needs cancer treatment – whether it’s chemotherapy, radiation and/or surgery – deserves to get the most advanced and proven care available. With our knowledgeable and compassionate staff and cutting-edge treatment, we are proud to provide that service right here in Windsor.

Patients and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis want to know that the care they receive gives them the very best opportunity for recovery and for a good quality of life, during and after treatment.

That’s why our care teams work so hard to remain on the front lines of promising new developments. We routinely discuss cases at meetings involving the patient’s entire medical team and seek input from top physicians from around the world when necessary. We also lead our own research initiatives and some of the new practises we develop here in Windsor-Essex are expected to impact patient care internationally.

ChemotherapyWe offer all the major forms of chemotherapy, using the same high quality standards and safety protocols offered by North America’s leading clinics. And because of our exceptionally agile team, we are able to offer cutting edge treatments as soon as they become available.

leading a better battle against cancer through advanced chemotherapy, radiation and surgical procedures

Culturally focused servicesDealing with cancer is challenging enough without cultural barriers. That’s why we provide interpretation in over 200 languages and, to better serve our region’s diverse communities, offer several programs specifically designed to serve First Nations, Inuit and Métis heritage and cultural needs.

Pharmacy & lab ServicesOur patients appreciate having on-site access to pharmacists who have in-depth knowledge of cancer-specific and chemotherapy drugs. They also appreciate the fact that our laboratory staff are intimately familiar with their unique, cancer-related needs. In both cases, the convenience and sensitivity make for a much better experience.

drug Access CoordinatorsThese coordinators help patients navigate drug-funding options and, when necessary, negotiate with drug companies for assistance with coverage. They also help qualifying patients access clinical trials that use promising new drugs.

All of us are deeply and personally committed to providing a care experience that combines compassion and advanced medical expertise. We understand how vitally important it is to our patients and their families to receive the very best care in a timely manner.

We deliver that care through dedicated teams that include experts in dozens of specialized clinical fields, some directly involved with patients and many more working behind the scenes. We’re also committed to reducing the

region’s cancer rates through prevention and screening, and to reducing cancer’s impact by providing timely access to effective care. Our evidence-based treatments are on a level with major national and international institutions and we are highly regarded for our clinical trials and other research initiatives.

Our commitment to patients and families continues across every aspect of the cancer journey, through diagnosis, treatment and end-of-life care and, in many more cases than ever before, survivorship. – Dr. Ken Schneider, Chief of Oncology

Cancer ScreeningNearly half of all cancers can be prevented or detected early, before they become serious health problems. Through our education, risk assessment and provincial cancer screening programs, we’re helping more families prevent cancer’s worst effects.

genetic Screening & CounsellingThis program offers genetic counselling and testing for families at risk for inherited forms of certain cancer types. When patients know their genetic risks, they can adjust screening and medical management practices to improve cancer prevention and/or early detection and treatment.

Patient Assistance FundThis fund helps financially-challenged patients deal with costs of food, shelter, and medical-related expenses (everything from babysitting to mortgage payments). Removing financial worries allows patients to focus their energies and efforts on getting better.

Patient & Family Resource CentresThese comfortably appointed spaces give clients and their families access to a wide variety of books and pamphlets, and computers for those who want to do online research. The two Resource Centres are also cozy, out-of-the-way places where patients can get away for a quiet moment with a friend or family member.

Palliative andSupportive Care

Compassionate people, world-class technology and an unrelenting drive to excel with every patient, every day.

Cancer service startsat Metropolitan General Hospital

1935

First Varian Linear Accelerator installed

2009

New CTSimulator installed

2007

First in Ontariowith Lung DAP

2007

Genetic Screening & Counselling Program launched

2012

Rapid-Arc Radiation Therapy introduced

2010

First clinical trial

1975

First chemotherapy treatment

1971

First Linear Accelerator installed

1988

E-Chart launched

1998

First in Ontario to offer High Dose Rate Brachytherapy for prostate cancer

2000

On-site retail pharmacy opens

2003

Windsor Cancer Research Group launches

2012

Dr. Richard Boyd Regional Comprehensive Men’s Health Programnamed

2014

Cobalt TherapyUnit installed

1954

New 9,600 sq. ft. x-ray unit opens

1974

Medical Oncology service moves to Met. Hospital

1983

High Dose Ratefor gynecologicalcancers

1993

First Low Dose Rate Prostate Implant

1998

Addition of new Aboriginal Patient Navigator

2012

Colorectal and Prostate DAPs launched

2012

RENEW Life After Cancer Education & Fitness Programs launch

2013

New $19 million Cancer Centre opens at Windsor Regional Hospital

2001

First IMRT patient

2006

First MCCLaunched

2007

Seeds4Hope launched – local cancer research program

2009

Launch Googleonline Virtual Tour for Cancer Centre

2014

Living with and beyond cancerRecovery & survivorship

Our Oncologists participate in clinical and “bench-to-bedside” research exploring new approaches to every stage of cancer care – from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and supportive care. When appropriate, patients and families are invited to participate. The Centre has already enrolled over 500 patients in clinical trials.

This program focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer and urological disorders. Windsor Regional Hospital’s multi-million dollar da Vinci® robot provides global gold-standard prostate surgery close to home. The first da Vinci® surgery took place in September 2014.

Palliative care involves medical and other interventions that improve a patient’s quality of life by preventing or relieving suffering. Psychosocial Oncology (Supportive Care) addresses the social, psychological, emotional, spiritual, quality-of-life and practical aspects of cancer.

Together, they form the basis of our “whole-person” care perspective that contributes in a significant way to a great cancer program. Our Social Workers help patients and families adjust to a cancer diagnosis through counseling, referrals to community services, advocacy, and if necessary, financial assistance. Our Dietitians can advise on diet and nutrition as it relates to your diagnosis.

Palliative and Psychosocial Oncology services can be accessed at any point along the cancer journey, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

Our RENEW Life-After-Cancer Education and Fitness Program provides better access to information, education and fitness. An educational series helps patients understand screening and prevention, potential long-term side effects, healthy eating and nutrition, exercise, relationships, and back-to-work planning. Our Genetic Counsellors provide insight into issues related to cancer and heredity.

The RENEW program also includes exercise and yoga classes specially designed for cancer survivors, delivered by certified professionals from Windsor Squash & Fitness in collaboration with the staff at Windsor Regional Hospital’s Cancer Program and the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Human Kinetics.

getting a correct and timely diagnosisPathology and imaging : Our pathology and imaging teams bring a high level of knowledge and expertise to every patient’s diagnosis and treatment decision. Backed by the world’s most advanced imaging systems and by comprehensive laboratory services, our care teams provide quick and accurate diagnostic services that allow patients and their care teams to move forward with greater confidence and purpose.

Case reviews by Multidisciplinary Cancer Councils:When faced with complex or challenging cases, MCCs bring together experts in surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and diagnostic imaging to discuss treatment options. MCCs also give surgeons opportunities to receive input from all of the specialties involved before making treatment recommendations. The end result is improved outcomes for all of our patients.

In-patient careIf a patient requires hospitalization for any reason during their care journey, Windsor Regional Hospital’s Met Campus (4th Fl. West)offers an on-site, dedicated cancer care wing that ensures continuity of care and of the highest clinical standards. Many areas are specially decorated to maximize patient and family comfort and to promote spiritual healing.