Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre Unveiling Marks a Historic Milestone in Cancer Research and Treatment
April 29 2024 - 8:30AM
London Health Sciences Foundation (LHSF) is proud to announce the
unveiling of the new Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre at London
Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). This momentous occasion not only
celebrates the extraordinary generosity of the late Archie and
Irene Verspeeten but also signifies a transformative leap forward
in the fight against cancer.
Archie, a distinguished figure in the local
trucking industry and a tireless champion for cancer research, made
headlines last November with his remarkable donation of $20
million. This historic donation is set to reshape LHSC's London
Regional Cancer Program, now renamed the Verspeeten Family Cancer
Centre, positioning it as a beacon of innovation and excellence in
cancer treatment and research.
"Today marks the beginning of the total reimagining
of the London Regional Cancer Program as it is renamed the
Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre," says John. H MacFarlane,
President & CEO of LHSF. "The Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre
will ensure we continue pushing the boundaries of cancer care at
London Health Sciences Centre, setting new standards for others to
follow. This is only made possible by the generosity of selfless
donors, like Archie and Irene."
Archie and Irene’s generous gift comprises
of:
- $10 million for improving patient
care
- $5 million to establish the Verspeeten
Chair in Translational Cancer Research
- $3 million to enhance the Verspeeten
Clinical Genome Centre
- $2 million to support Medical Oncology
and Radiation Oncology fellowships to attract the next generation
of specialists
Archie’s generous contribution stands as the
largest single donation in the history of healthcare foundation
contributions in southwestern Ontario – his commitment to
eradicating cancer held a profound personal significance through
the loss of his wife Irene and sons, Alan and Ron, to the
disease.
"We are immensely honoured to see how our parents'
legacy will inspire future generations to embody their spirit of
generosity and resilience," says Dennis Verspeeten, son of Archie
and Irene. "Dad understood this donation wouldn't single-handedly
eradicate cancer, but he believed it could win a couple battles and
maybe contribute to the larger war. His greatest wish was for no
other family to have to endure the loss we have experienced because
of this disease."
"Our team at LHSC's Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre
provides specialized care to patients from across southwestern
Ontario and conducts leading-edge research in the field of
oncology," says Dr. Kevin Chan, Acting President and CEO, LHSC.
"Archie and Irene Verspeeten’s visionary donation of $20 million
enables us to continue our work to improve patient outcomes by
advancing excellence in cancer care, teaching and research."
Archie’s unwavering commitment signifies not only a
substantial financial commitment, totaling a staggering $27 million
contributed to LHSC over the years by Archie and Irene, but also a
heartfelt dedication to revolutionizing the field of cancer care
for the better.
About London Health Sciences Foundation
(LHSF):As the charitable arm of London Health Sciences
Centre (LHSC), we at London Health Sciences Foundation (LHSF)
strive to enhance the standard of care for patients at our
hospital. With donor generosity, we support the development of
critical initiatives such as ground-breaking research,
state-of-the-art equipment, specialized care with personalized
treatment options, and the education of our next generation of
clinicians. Through the hope and kindness of our donors, the health
and lives of patients at LHSC are improved today and tomorrow. We
honor our donors' compassion with gratitude, steward with respect,
and report with honesty, transparency, and accountability. As a
Canada Revenue Agency registered charity accredited by Imagine
Canada, LHSF’s donors enable discovery and innovation in research,
education, and patient care. To see how donations make
extraordinary care possible, visit lhsf.ca.
For more information about LHSF, please
contact:
Jenn BasaCommunications Officer,
Media and Internal CommunicationsLondon Health Sciences Foundation
Jennifer.basa@lhsc.on.ca
Photos of the event are available upon
request.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available
at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e614eb03-3dc0-4cc6-8bff-7ab891f93873