Port Alberni to get Cancer Clinic

“It stems from during the highway closure, and it really allowed us to have an opportunity to evaluate where there were some gaps and where we were really seeing residents of the Alberni Valley having to access out-of-the-community services,” she said. “We really want to make sure that we’re increasing services to meet that need as we look at the growing population and the projection of different illnesses.”

According to Walsh, there are more than 250 new cancer diagnosis in the Alberni – Clayoquot region every year, and increasing annually.

Last week, Island Health and BC Cancer approved the construction of a $1.26 million cancer oncology clinic at West Coast General Hospital.

Work towards the announcement has been ongoing since the Cameron Bluffs fire and an oncologist has been hired, nurses are receiving specialized training, and the hospital foundation and auxilliary have already raised a combined $550,000 for the project which is expected to open within 18 months.