By Charles Lefebvre

Golf tournament raises $77,100 for local cancer care ward

Nov 6, 2018 | 3:49 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The cancer ward at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital received a significant donation Tuesday afternoon aimed at helping patients.

A total of $77,100 was donated to the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre at the hospital. Half of the funds raised came from the annual Royal LePage Breast Cancer Golf Classic held this summer at the Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club. The Yuill Family Foundation matched the proceeds.

“I think this is a perfect example of philanthropy and what our community can do together,” said Heather Bach, executive director with the Medicine Hat and District Health Foundation.

“They’re just a great partner,” said Cam Jacques, general manager of the Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club. “Obviously, with the cancer centre named after Bill Yuill’s mother, I think it adds an overall total picture of what we‘re trying to accomplish here, and it’s trying to make the best care and health for all of the people of Medicine Hat that need these services here.”

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The tournament has run for 22 years, says Jacques, raising over $1 million for the local cancer centre. The Yuill Family Foundation came on board four years ago, and began matching donations from the tournament.

The money raised helps the hospital improve services for patients receiving treatment at the cancer ward, allowing them to stay in Medicine Hat and avoid travelling to Calgary or Edmonton.

Jacques says he got a tour of the Cancer Centre last year, and got to see first-hand how the donations have helped.

“We’re seeing patients getting great treatment in a nice setting, very comfortable,” he said. “They feel they’re well taken care of. The upgraded facilities for the past four or five years until now has been remarkable, and you think hopefully, our contributions through the golf tournament and the Yuill Family Foundation have helped make some of those things possible. You feel kind of proud and happy when you walk through those areas and see people getting things done here in Medicine Hat, versus maybe going to Lethbridge or Calgary.”

Bach says plans for the donation have not yet been finalized.

Jacques says the tournament is hoping to raise $100,000 in its 23rd year next summer.