Long-time Southlake donors celebrated for $1 million gift to enhance access to leading edge cancer care, close to home.
NEWMARKET, ON – ‘Creativity, initiative, and innovation’ are hallmarks of The Powell Group culture. In July 2022, when the Powells became the first corporate leadership donors to Southlake Health Foundation’s HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match campaign, they never could have imagined how that culture would be represented in their philanthropy.
Generously donating $1 million to support radiation oncology services, The Powell Family empowered Southlake to make the first Elekta Harmony Linear Accelerator (LINAC) in Canada available to radiation therapy patients. With this innovative new technology, over 7,000 additional patients will be able to receive radiation treatment close to home, at Southlake’s Regional Cancer Centre.
The Powells are long-time supporters of Southlake Health, having generously given to a variety of campaigns and events over a number of years. Southlake Health Foundation celebrated their most recent gift to the HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match Campaign on December 2 with the unveiling of The Powell Group Radiation Treatment Suite within the Radiation Oncology Program. Representatives from the Powell Family attended along with Southlake leadership, clinicians, and staff from the Regional Cancer Centre.
“It was so important to us that we give back to the community that’s given so much to us,” said Matthew Powell. “This gift will help to ensure our employees, customers, families, and friends have access to exceptional cancer care, close to home at such a critical time. We’re so proud to have this space named in celebration of our organization and our family.”
Southlake Health Foundation launched the $20 million HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match Campaign to keep pace with technological advances and grow the Regional Cancer Centre’s capacity to address the increased demand for cancer care. A generous outpouring of community support, like that from The Powell Group, has helped to raise over $18 million towards a $20-million goal, enabling significant milestones like bringing the Elekta Harmony LINAC to Southlake.
“With the generous support of donors like the Powells, Southlake Health is proudly building on a 100-year legacy of leading edge care, close to home,” said Derek McNally, Executive Vice President, Clinical Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Southlake Health and Regional Vice President, Central Regional Cancer Program. “The Elekta Harmony LINAC has been game-changing for our communities. We’re bringing the latest advancements directly to patients – because they deserve nothing less.”
Jennifer Ritter, President and CEO of Southlake Health Foundation, agrees. “The Powell Family’s long-standing commitment to the well-being of our shared communities is truly incredible. The addition of this first-in-Canada technology means that Southlake will be able to deliver lifesaving, tailor-made cancer treatment to patients right here, in their own community. We are so grateful to the Powells for their philanthropic investment. My thanks to them for their continued and inspiring support.”
For more information about the HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match Campaign, or to make a donation, visit: southlake.ca/HERE
Members of the Powell Family celebrate $1 million gift through radiation suite naming, alongside Southlake Health and Southlake Health Foundation leadership.
From left: Derek McNally, Executive Vice President, Clinical Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Southlake Health and Regional Vice President, Central Regional Cancer Program, Jennifer Ritter, President and CEO of Southlake Health Foundation, Ben Powell, Brooke Powell, Dylan Powell, Matthew Powell, Dr. Peter Anglin, Physician Leader, Southlake Regional Cancer Centre, David Greenwood, Chair, Southlake Health Foundation Board of Directors.
