New cancer care centre expansion in Russell, Man., quadruples size of previous facility

A southwestern Manitoba community officially opened a new $2.5-million centre for cancer care Wednesday, which nearly quadruples the size of the previous space.

The new Community Cancer Care Centre in Russell adds 3,300 square feet to the existing CancerCare Manitoba chemotherapy treatment space in the community's hospital.

It's designed to give privacy and dignity to patients, said Gloria Tibbatts, president of the Expanding Community Cancer Care Committee, a group of volunteers from more than 15 communities who spent a decade raising $1.8 million to build the facility.

Another $700,000 for the building came from the province, and the Prairie Mountain regional health authority will cover operational costs, including staff and supplies.

While chemotherapy was available in the previous facility, it was a very small space, Tibbatts told CBC. There were four chairs available for treatment that were so close to each other patients could have held hands, she said.

"There was no privacy.… You walk down the hallway, everybody knows you have cancer," said Tibbatts.

While the new facility, which has larger treatment spaces to improve patients' privacy, had its official opening this week, it's been serving patients since mid-July.

Greg Setter, a cancer survivor from Russell, said he appreciates having the newer and nicer facility in the community because it provides more dignity and privacy for patients.

"It's something that I almost look forward to now, and it allows for the benefit of every patient that's here," Setter said. "What we used to have [compared] to what we have today, it's like night and day."

Treena Slate, CEO of the Prairie Mountain Health region, told CBC the new centre has six treatment spaces and one large exam room.

It also includes a dedicated nursing station, a medication storage area, a patient washroom and a small waiting area.

The staff — two nurses, a physician and a psychosocial oncology clinician— worked in the previous facility. 

Care closer to home a 'tremendous benefit'

Approximately 800 to 1,000 patients use Russell's cancer care program annually, and that number is growing, Slate said. Since the new space opened to clients on July 15, it's already had 115 patient visits. 

Improving rural health-care services is important, since cutting the travel time required for things like cancer treatment is "a tremendous benefit," said Slate.

"It's more time with family, more time ... with each other," she said. "We had the service here previously, but this will just enhance the care that we were able to provide."

Ken Borce, the chief of clinical operations with CancerCare Manitoba, said having access to quality treatment close to home can be a lifeline.

The expanded site means more patients can get their care in a familiar and supportive environment, he said. 

"This project is not just about bricks and mortar. It is about coming together as a community to enhance patient experience and to improve outcomes," said Borce.

"With this site, we are reaffirming our dedication to quality cancer care and ensuring that every patient receives the support they need right here in your community."

Dale Stewart visits the Russell cancer care centre about once a month for treatment.

She was first diagnosed in 2017 with head and neck cancer, but the treatment she needed was not available in Russell at the time. That meant driving to Winnipeg — a roughly four-hour one-way trip — which was the only place her treatment was available.

She started getting treatment in Russell in 2022. 

Getting that care closer to home was a huge benefit, she said.

"Treatment is to live, not to live waiting for treatment," Stewart told CBC.

"I so want to live every day that I am not in treatment. So to be able to do my treatment short and sweet and exit, I'm back into my own life again."