QEII Halifax Infirmary

Bank of Montreal has donated $1 million to the QEII to support personalized radiotherapy. The Ethos therapy system, which uses HyperSight will be a world’s first in radiation therapy for patients.

With the help of a clinical study, the new equipment, would allow a doctor to adjust a cancer patients treatment plan, depending on any changes to a tumour or surrounding tissue, in real time. HyperSight takes high quality images of the patient’s tumour, surrounding organs and tissue within six seconds; about ten times faster than conventional imaging systems, that normally require separate trips to a CT scanner used for treatment and planning. The system will hopefully save time for patients and provide a more precise, efficient, personal form of radiotherapy.

This initiative was made possible through:
•$8 million in donations through the QEII Foundation’s We Are campaign – including BMO’s
$1-million gift; and
•$12 million in operational funding from the province of Nova Scotia.

The 1-million-dollar gift from BMO, is the first meaningful contribution to the QEII’s We Are campaign, aimed to help transform healthcare.

“BMO’s $1-million donation in support of this world’s first cancer-fighting technology aligns with our Purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. With one-in-two Atlantic Canadians facing a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, this is a cause that is deeply personal to our employees, clients, and their families. We are dedicated to supporting innovations that have the power to create positive change and to drive progress in communities across Atlantic Canada.” – Justin Scully, Regional President, BMO Personal Banking, Atlantic

“BMO is an extraordinary philanthropic leader in our community and its $1-million gift to this project was a catalyst, inspiring others to give. While world-leading innovations and research are exciting, the real impact of that milestone is the lives and treatment journeys changed as a direct result of BMO’s generosity. For patients, access to Ethos therapy featuring the new HyperSight imaging technology could mean their radiation treatments have the potential to be more precise than ever, which creates the possibility of fewer side effects and better outcomes – what a gift.” – Susan Mullin, President and CEO, QEII Foundation

More information can be found here.