Blake Ellis/Local Journalism Initiative

Two in five Canadians with be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, said Joe Wolf, vice president of manufacturing for Nova Chemicals east region.

Wolf was at Bluewater Health on March 18 in Sarnia to announce a $500,000 donation from NOVA Chemical to the expansion and renovations of the cancer clinic at Bluewater Health.

NOVA’s donation pushed the $3.7 million campaign to half way to its goal.

Fernando Penedo was on hand for the event to thank NOVA for contributing. He was first diagnosed with cancer three years ago and he feels at home at the cancer clinic. He previously worked in construction and in the Chemical Valley and on an expansion of the former St. Joseph Hospital before it became Bluewater Health. He was also involved in constructing another addition at the hospital in 2011.

Penedo was appreciative of the health care professionals who have cared for him since his diagnoses, calling them “the most amazing people.” He said the cancer clinic in Sarnia is needed, saying he couldn’t imagine if he had to travel to London to get the same care he gets here. This need is compounded if there is bad weather conditions during the drive from Sarnia to London. Dr. Kenneth

Yoshida, an oncologist, hammered home this need for a renovated cancer clinic indicating the clinic sees more than 300 new patients with over 6,000 patient visits a year.

“We have been in the space for 15 years, said Bluewater’s Director of Surgery Ray Meyer. “We have outgrown our current space. The renovations will be completed in multi-phases with the entire project being completed in 2025.