The Saskatchewan Breast Cancer Screening Bus, which makes regular visits to Humboldt, received a big boost from the Kinsmen Foundation with the receipt of a $1 million donation. The gift was part of the proceeds from this year’s TeleMiracle campaign. The bus and its staff have the potential to help thousands of women with breast screening and early detection of breast cancer that will ultimately save lives.
"This breast cancer screening service plays a critically important, lifesaving role in the lives of thousands of women across rural Saskatchewan every year. Thanks to the generosity of TeleMiracle donors, we are honoured to enable the continuation of this crucial service, for years to come,” said Raelynn Nicholson, Chair of the Kinsmen Foundation Board of Directors. The $1 million donation completes the fundraising required in the Breast Cancer Screening Bus Campaign launched one year ago by the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan. The donation is an example of two uniquely Saskatchewan foundations joining forces to support Saskatchewan people with breast cancer, says a joint release from the two agencies.
“One year ago, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we launched a campaign to raise $2 million to replace and fully equip a new breast screening vehicle. Our donors rose to the task to ensure the continuation of this critical service of breast cancer screening for women in rural and remote communities across the province. Today, thanks to the Kinsmen Foundation, we have reached our $2 million fundraising target. We want to thank the Kinsmen Foundation for their donation which will assist in saving the lives of many, many Saskatchewan women for year to come,” said Nora Yeates, CEO of the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in women and the second leading cause of their death, notes the release. It is estimated that 760 Saskatchewan women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, and 170 will die from the disease. Early detection plays a critically important role in saving lives.
For Kelly Rea of Norquay, the bus has played a crucial role. Reas travels regularly to get her mammograms on the screening bus.
“I am so pleased to know that this incredible resource will continue to operation for rural and northern women,” said Rea. “For many rural women, travelling to Saskatoon or Regina for a mammogram can sometimes be incredibly difficult, which means without local access many would not get mammograms. Because it travels to rural and norther communities across the province, the Breast Cancer Screening Bus makes accessing your mammogram easy. The Breast Cancer Screening Bus plays an incredibly important role in helping to save lives. This new funding means it will continue to be able to do so, for many, many more women well into the future.”
The release states that the Breast Cancer Screening Bus has facilitated more than 250,000 potentially lifesaving screening mammograms to thousands of Saskatchewan women over the past 20 years.
“We are so very pleased to be able to assist the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and the Saskatchewan Health Authority, in continuing to offer this vital service to women across the province,” said Nicholson.
“We want to thank all of the many individuals, communities and organizations across the province that, along with the Kinsmen Foundation, have enabled us to reach the require $2 million fundraising goal. Your efforts in supporting access to cancer detection and treatment services in the province play a huge role in the ongoing delivery of high-quality cancer treatment services for Saskatchewan people,” said Yeates.