CALGARY – “Build it now! Build it now!” echoed through downtown Calgary Wednesday – cries for the Alberta government to go ahead with construction of a new cancer treatment centre.
Last month, the province said a replacement for the Tom Baker Cancer Centre would be delayed indefinitely as it reviews spending following a drastic drop in oil prices.
The facility had already been delayed several times, and was originally promised a decade ago.
“Calgary is the only city of its size in Canada without comprehensive cancer care,” said Lynn Van Hyfte from the Alberta Cancer Foundation. “Which means, everything in one building.”
The Alberta Cancer Foundation had planned to raise $200 million for the new centre, which was scheduled to begin construction next year.
Hundreds of people, including cancer patients, researchers, caregivers, and supporters gathered at McDougall Centre over the noon hour.
Protest organizer John Osler says, “the government has promised a comprehensive cancer centre for Calgary three times. It’s been urgently needed since 2002 and for the third time the province is breaking its promise.”
“We want to make sure that government understands that although there are some fiscal issues right now, it’s really important to have a longer term perspective on things like a cancer centre,” says Heather Culbert, who had helped with the Alberta Cancer Foundation’s fundraising efforts.
To learn more about efforts to save the Cancer Centre, visit the Save our CCC facebook event page.
WATCH: Heather Culbert and John Osler join Global Calgary with details on the Save our CCC rally.
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