When a child is diagnosed with cancer, families across southern Saskatchewan rely on the expert care available at our Regina General Hospital Children’s Cancer Clinic. Thanks to a generous $50,000 donation from the Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan, the clinic is one step closer to having a new pharmacy clean room so our young patients can get the best care possible, right here at home.

Hospitals of Regina Foundation has committed to raise $2.8 million for a specialized pharmacy clean room. This space will give our pharmacists the sterile environment, tools and technology they need to safely prepare precise chemotherapy treatments for each child. These personalized therapies are based on the child’s bloodwork, the day of treatment and their cancer’s unique molecular profile. Personalizing treatment in this way lessens harmful side effects, reduces damage to healthy cells and gives our kids the greatest chance at the best results possible.

“The Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan are proud to be able to provide support to the Children’s Cancer Clinic,” says Michael Kautzman, executive director. “Our farmers are also families and knowing that this donation will help kids facing cancer means a great deal to them. We’re proud to play a part in helping these children and their families during such a difficult time.”

Regina has been designated one of three pediatric centres in Saskatchewan and is the only one serving the southern half of the province. While childhood cancer is, thankfully, relatively rare, it remains the most common disease-related cause of death among Canadian children. Last year, 11 children from southern Saskatchewan were newly diagnosed with cancer. An additional 169 children currently receive treatment, follow-up care or monitoring by the dedicated medical team in our Children’s Cancer Clinic.

The new pharmacy clean room will ensure that our children receive the best care possible, as close to home as possible. Thanks to the generosity of community partners like the Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan, the Foundation is bringing hope and healing to young cancer patients and their families, right here in our community.

“With the new pharmacy clean room, our pharmacy team will be able to create personalized cancer treatments that result in fewer harmful side effects and more effective outcomes," says Lisa Green, senior vice-president, Hospitals of Regina Foundation. "This is a critical addition to pediatric cancer care in southern Saskatchewan. We are grateful to the Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan for helping us make it possible.”