February 13, 2020

CIBC donates $250,000 to help young cancer patients

CIBC is continuing their commitment to help families impacted by cancer through a gift of $250,000 to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The generous donation will support the families of young cancer patients who visit the Day Medicine and Pediatric Oncology Unit at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.

“Today we celebrate the launch of extended programming at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, a significant community achievement in helping Saskatchewan children and families battling cancer,” said Kevin Punshon, First Vice President, CIBC Wood Gundy, Regina. “Joining together to make this day a reality means that families from across the province will have the medical care and critical support services they need to cope and heal.”

The funding will establish the new CIBC Pediatric Oncology Family Comfort Fund, which is designed to help Saskatchewan families with children undergoing cancer treatments by providing financial support for non-medical expenses such as groceries, meals, lodging and parking.

The funds will also provide patients with port shirts, which have zippers that allow for easier port access, making for more comfortable treatment sessions. A port is an implantation device that provides a convenient way to administer chemotherapy medication, IV nutrition and fluids. Every patient receiving chemotherapy at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital will receive a port shirt at the start of their treatment, which they can take home for ongoing use.

Lastly, funding will go to purchase oncology-specific medical play equipment such as port access dolls. Port dolls can help can eliminate a child’s fears, overcome language barriers and give medical professionals a way to discover how a child is feeling about their illness or treatments.

In 2015, CIBC first donated $250,000 to the Foundation to support a treatment room in the Day Medicine and Pediatric Oncology Unit at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. The treatment room is where children receive chemotherapy and other infusion therapies, while visiting as an outpatient or staying in hospital.

“This is a tribute to the people at CIBC in their understanding that this gift will provide incredible support and comfort to families during some of the hardest times they may face,” said Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. “This donation will provide Saskatchewan families enhanced support services in pediatric oncology, allowing them to focus their attention on what really matters – their children.”