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MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

March 2, 2015

London Health Sciences Centre staff shed locks to help cancer patients

LONDON, Ontario – The London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP) has a new look today after a cut-a-thon in support of cancer patients throughout the region. Sixteen staff of the program at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) took part in the “Cuts for Cancer” event to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society.

“As staff, we see the impact that cancer treatments have on our patients, and the effect that can have on self-confidence,” said Julie Downes, LHSC Radiation Therapist and event organizer. “We consider this event an easy way for us to help support those patients, and give them some of that confidence back.”

Ten hairstylists from salons throughout London and region donated their time and services to the event, with one being given the honour of performing the one and only full head shave that took place. LHSC phlebotomist Heather Wright had been looking for a way to support the patients she sees in her lab each day, and knew as soon as she heard about “Cuts for Cancer” that she wanted to be involved. Sporting a short hairstyle already, she didn’t have the minimum eight inches of length required to donate for a wig, so instead decided to show her support in the next best way – she had her head shaved entirely.

“I have worked at LRCP for eleven years, and truly have come to love my patients,” said Wright. “When I heard about this event, I realized this was my opportunity to make a difference for them. I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

Participants also raised over $6200 in donations for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). Money raised will support CCS funded life-saving leading edge research projects right here in London and across the country and will support cancer patients and their families in our communities. The funds raised will enable the Elgin-Middlesex Community office in London to continue to provide volunteer rides and family provided transportation assistance to more than 600 adults and children and their families annually to cancer treatment at the LRCP and surrounding cancer treatment centers through the Wheels of Hope program.

About London Health Sciences Centre

London Health Sciences Centre has been at the forefront of medicine in Canada for 140 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, the Kidney Care Centre, two family medical centres, and two research institutes – Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute. As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 65 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital’s nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit www.lhsc.on.ca

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For media inquiries contact:

Kathy Leblanc

Corporate Communications and Public Relations

London Health Sciences Centre

519-685-8500, ext. 74772

kathy.leblanc@lhsc.on.ca

After-hours assistance:

Call LHSC Switchboard at 519-685-8500 and ask to page the communication consultant on-call