Health and Community Services
July 5, 2010
Funding Announced to
Support Prostate Cancer Research and Education
The Williams Government is continuing to
demonstrate its commitment to investing in cancer prevention and
treatment in the province through the investment of $30,000 for the
Avalon Chapter of Motorcycle Ride for Dad. The funding was recently
presented by the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and
Community Services, and the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of
Transportation and Works, in St. John's.
"Prostate cancer is the most frequently
diagnosed cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador with over 500 new cases
estimated in the province this year, and early detection is critical for
treatment and makes education and awareness so important," said Minister
Kennedy. "Our investment in the Ride for Dad will support a public
information campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of
regular prostate examinations for men in the province. I commend the
organizers of the Ride for Dad for their continued efforts in raising
funds and creating awareness of prostate cancer."
The Motorcycle Ride for Dad is the
largest annual motorcycle event in Canada, which raises money for
prostate cancer research and education. This year marks its 10th
anniversary. Participation at this year's event in the province reached
a record high of 700 motorcycles and raised a total of $62,000 from
riders' pledges to support prostate cancer research and awareness
initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Avalon Chapter of the
Motorcycle Ride for Dad was formed in 2006 by former Royal Newfoundland
Constabulary Constable and current MHA for Topsail, Paul Davis. Since
then, the local chapter has raised over $250,000 for prostate cancer
research, education and awareness.
"Our government is the first in the
country to step up to the plate in support of the Motorcycle Ride for
Dad's fight against cancer," said Bob Pike, Co-Chair of the Avalon
Chapter of Motorcycle Ride for Dad. "With government's support, we hope
to double the successes we've had thus far. Together, we are setting an
example for the rest of the country to follow."
Budget 2010:
The Right Investments —
For Our Children and Our Future
includes an investment of
approximately $8.8 million to enhance cancer care services in the
province including $5 million to continue implementing the
recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry on Hormone Receptor Testing
Report; $3.2 million to cover the cost of new cancer drug therapies
under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program; an
initial investment of $240,000 for the implementation of a new
Provincial Colorectal Cancer Screening Program; $197,000 in operational
funding for a radiopharmacist and program director to begin planning for
the new Positron Emissions Tomography (PET) scanner; and, $119,800 to
enhance an accredited stem cell transplant program for patients in the
province.
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Media contacts:
2010 07 05
10:05 a.m.
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