In June, the Foundation celebrated the opening of the Rae Fawcett Breast Health Clinic within the new Clinical Services Building at RIH.

Working closely with the Diagnostic Imaging department, Laboratory Services and the General Surgery team at RIH, the Rae Fawcett Breast Health Clinic aims to reduce patient wait times between an initial mammogram and possible breast cancer diagnosis. Led by Dr. Liz Ewart, the Clinic is staffed by a team of family physicians, a patient care coordinator and administrative support staff.

Funding from the community was crucial to the opening of the clinic. The Foundation approached Rae Fawcett about the possibility of a breast health clinic opening at RIH and she wasted no time in getting involved an incredible pledge of $1 million to the hospital. Other donors who were involved in the clinics success include: The Can-Ital Ladies, The Pink Ribbon Ball – Anthony Salituro and committee, Amazing Race Kamloops – Todd and Nadine Torchia, and the Foundation’s own Dancing Like the Stars committee.

The official opening date of the Rae Fawcett Breast Health Clinic was May 30, 2017. Patients are now offered a clinical examination with a physician, diagnostic imaging (including ultrasound and/or mammography), and if necessary tissue sampling or biopsy that day or the next. Results are shared with the patient that day whenever possible or the following week when a biopsy is required.

Supportive care is also offered at the clinic: patients have time to ask questions and hopefully have their fears alleviated. It is also very beneficial for the many patients living outside Kamloops who will no longer need to make multiple trips to RIH for appointments. Additionally, the clinic benefits women who do not have a family doctor – providing them to access to coordinated and supportive breast health care.