On October 28, one of the largest government infrastructure projects in Alberta, the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, officially opened services to patients.
According to the province, With 127,000 square metres of space, including 160 inpatient beds and more than 9,200 square metres dedicated to research, the Arthur Child will provide world-leading care and treatment to patients while driving innovation and working towards a future without cancer.
"As the cancer care centre for all of southern Alberta, the new Arthur Child has been built to be significantly larger than the Tom Baker Cancer Centre."
Cancer patients and their families contributed to the creation of the Arthur Child. Since 2014, patient and family advisers have contributed more than 4,800 hours to help conclude the project.
- Services at the Arthur Child, according to the provincial government include:
- more than 100 patient exam rooms
- 160 inpatient unit beds
- more than 90 chemotherapy chairs
- increased space for clinical trials
- 12 radiation vaults, with three more shelled in for future growth
- new on-site underground parking with 1,650 stalls
- outpatient cancer clinics
- clinical and operational support services
- research laboratories
Airdronian Lucinda Warnock, who recently shared her cancer journey and story with DiscoverAirdrie, also shared her thoughts on the new cancer centre, which she recently toured.
"All modern and new colours. It's much more welcoming, much more relaxing. You walk in and it is light and bright, a wonderful courtyard with the buildings around it."
She explained what she noticed the most was how bright the building was.
"I think that's probably what I noticed most of all, was the light compared to when I had treatment at Tom Baker, it felt much more enclosed, much darker. This is much more open, much more bright and much more hopeful."
Warnock believes this new building will give hope to those on their cancer journey.
"As they enter the doors of this building, they'll realize that they are being supported and given hope in their fight and to be able to look forward to their future as well."
The facility's research will concentrate on patient experiences and results, patient-centred treatment, prevention, early detection, and supportive care.
Construction on the centre was completed in 2022.
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