The Annapolis Board of Trade has joined the campaign launched by the Western Nova Scotia Cancer Support Network.
The Board sent a letter to Health Minister Randy Delorey indicating their strong support.
It states that census numbers indicate that 90,000 people live in an area where a trip to Yarmouth would be much shorter than one to Halifax.
Derek Lesser of the Cancer Support Network says the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in helping to garner additional support.
“It’s a great move. it’s in the Premier’s riding.”
Lesser says they’re at a bit of a standstill right now waiting for a report from Nova Scotia’s Chief Oncologist to determine if a radiation unit in Yarmouth is needed and if it would be feasible.
It would have to serve a large enough catchment area to make the investment worthwhile.
Lesser says it would draw patients from Western Nova Scotia, the Valley and the South Shore.
“We try hard to let Yarmouth know this would be a regional unit. It’s not a ‘Yarmouth’ radiation unit. I think people have looked across the province and have said ‘you’ve got the Cat and they’re taken care of getting the ferry. But this is a very different thing. This is about helping people with cancer. We’re talking about a regional hub and Yarmouth happens to be the main centre for that. We’d be delighted if it went to any of the hospitals in the area but we feel Yarmouth is the best location because of the space and being the regional hospital. It would be good for all cancer patients in the province because it would reduce the amount of people having to go to Halifax which would increase the capacity in Halifax which would increase the capacity in Halifax to serve more people from around the province as well.”
Lesser says they have also received support from municipal units across the region.
