On February 3rd I was both honoured and privileged to be included in a celebration and media event at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton. Many of you may remember back in 2012, 2013 and 2014 in conjunction with Alberta Pork Congress. I organized the Bruce Winkler Memorial Silent auction (BWMSA). Which would not have been possible with out the tremendous support from donators and bidders alike. Funds raised through this amazing journey were dedicated to a specific project the Linac MR (LMR), which combines radiation and MRI at the same time, something not previously possible. The Linac MR is the brainchild of Dr. Gino Fallone.
As Dr. Brad Murray one of the medical physicist researchers on the project explained to me back in 2011 on a tour of the prototype – “why zap the size of a grapefruit when you can zap the size of a grape.”
Dr. Fallone shared while at the podium that “prior to this technology, the Linac MR it was like radiation and MRI were allergic to each other.” Fallone added, “Say I know exactly where the tumour is without killing healthy tissue: We can calculate the cure rates will improve by 20 to 40 per cent for all solid tumours.” An Alberta made technology. The LMR can treat any type of cancer in the body, with minimal side effects and offers the best patient experience because of the precision in tumour location and treatment. It will likely provide the greatest benefit to patients with prostate, liver, and pancreatic cancers. It will also be helpful for patients with breast, lung, and head & neck cancers.
The LMR provides 3D imaging of the tumour and avoids healthy tissues during treatment, allowing a higher dose of radiation to be used, and in fewer sessions. The LMR will provide ultimate precision in the treatment of tumours, leading to improved patient outcomes, reduced number of treatments required and reduced radiation exposure to healthy organs.
While in attendance I then started chatting with two ladies and a senior gentlemen. It turned out he will be the first clinical trial patient with the LMR, starting in early February. He was so cute, saying I don’t like attention so can I just stand here and talk with you. Bahry, 84, will be one of the first patients in the trial starting early February. He was first diagnosed with prostate cancer more than a decade ago, but he’s recently returned for treatment after a recurrence. He was quoted in a local TV interview saying, “Any good that comes out of it from me will benefit others and that’s my little contribution to others in this world…I see nothing but good coming out of all of this.”
Dr. Fallone came over to chat with Marvin Bahry – the first clinical trial patient, and I was able to say was humbled to have fundraised for this tremendous project. Told him I saw the prototype with Dr. Brad Murray 11 years ago in the basement, was a goosebump moment for sure.
One of the most exciting things about fundraising for this project, beside obvious future technology to make treatments better, was all funds were matched. Once by Alberta Government once by the Federal Government and once by private sector multiplied every dollar that was donated three times. This translated thanks to you the donators and bidders, to $4 for $1 raised/donated. In-between the three BWMSA together we raised just under $25,000, which translated to almost $98,000 with matches. Thanks so very much to the industry partners, Colonies, independent producers and bidders for helping make the three auctions such a success. Something that the entire hog sector can be incredibly proud of.
All of us know someone who has been affected by Cancer, so being able to give back and increase possibilities of others having a positive outcome is something that Bruce himself would have been happy to be a part of. •
— By Laurie Brandly