Cathy Dobson/The Independent

The fundraising for Sarnia-Lambton’s new cancer care clinic received a remarkable boost Thursday with a $1 million donation from a local family.

Peter Doyle and his grandson, Ryan, of the Lockwood Foundation were on hand for the announcement at Bluewater Health’s atrium with about 75 people in attendance.

The Lockwood donation means Bluewater Health’s campaign to raise $3.7 million for a new and significantly larger cancer care clinic has reached 75% of its goal.

The clinic, which is in the second of five phases of redevelopment, is expected to be complete in about one year.

Sarnia’s current cancer care clinic is too small to meet the needs of the community as more cancer diagnoses are expected in the coming years, said oncologist Dr. Kenneth Yoshida.

The clinic currently has more than 6,000 visits per year and its three doctors see an estimated 500 new patients annually, he said. “We’ve run out of space.  An expanded clinic means we can grow our program and prevent thousands of trips to London.”

An expanded clinic will also ensure that patients have their first appointment within 14 days of their referral, said Dr. Yoshida. 

A new family reception area will be named for Todd and David Doyle, the late sons of Sarnia resident Peter Doyle who is the past president of the Lockwood Foundation. 

The Lockwood Foundation was established in 1962 by Dr. Ambrose Lorne (A.L.) Lockwood, the head of surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and a relative of the Doyles.  Since that time, the foundation has helped fund many health and wellness programs, primarily in the Toronto area.

The foundation has contributed previously to Bluewater Health and St. Joseph’s Hospice in Sarnia. However, the $1 million donation to cancer care is the largest local donation in its history.

“We’ve been touched by cancer, unfortunately, and we’re very happy to give back in any way that we can,” said Ryan Doyle who became Lockwood’s president this year and now lives in Sarnia.

“This is a big event for us.  We are usually low key and don’t like to toot our own horn,” he said. “But we are very proud to be a part of this.”

Bluewater Health’s President and CEO Paula Reaume-Zimmer said the Lockwood Foundation’s generosity will have a profound impact on local patient care.

“Their generosity is incredible,” said Kathy Alexander, executive director of the Bluewater Health Foundation.

The entire project is being funded by philanthropy, she added. “Local healthcare is incredibly important and we hope that if anyone is able to make a gift, whether it’s $10 or $1 million, they’ll consider the cancer clinic redevelopment.”

It’s anticipated the campaign for the new cancer clinic will be wrapped up within the year.