It's difficult to go through chemotherapy no matter where you are, but new upgrades at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre are designed to make the treatment easier for local cancer patients. The Sunrise Health Region and the Health Foundation recently unveiled a newly upgraded ward.
The ward, which saw 160 patients in the month of November, received upgraded chairs, new vital signs monitors, and a new television for patients. The ward was also repainted blue, a shade selected through consultations with patients, chemotherapy nurse Dawn Chrisantos says.
"It really helps them, because it helps them feel more relaxed and feel more at home," Chrisantos says.
As a nurse, Chrisantos says that working with chemotherapy patients is something she enjoys because she understands what they're going through, especially since her mother has also had cancer. She says that the renovations will make it easier for patients to go through treatment.
The total cost of the changes was $11,000, raised from different community groups says Ross Fisher, Executive Director of the Health Foundation. He says the goal was to make a space that will make it easier for patients, and expand the ward to meet the needs of the area.
"It's part of a process of continually improving the environment we have for people," Fisher says.
One of the major contributors to the project was the Sasktel Pioneers, who contributed $4,500. Jean Bryski of the Sasktel Pioneers says that the group is focused on health and education, and helping improve the ward fits in with the group and its goals.
"I don't think there's one member of our group that hasn't been touched by cancer at some point in time," Bryski says.
Fisher thanks the different people and groups in the community who have supported the renovations through their donations.
