Windsor to acquire top-tier surgical robot

WINDSOR, Ont. – The Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation announced that its Grow On Windsor campaign raised a record breaking $2.7 million, exceeding all expectations. The funds will be used to acquire a leading-edge Da Vinci Xi Surgical Robot to enhance cancer care.

The new device will replace the original Da Vinci, which has served Windsor’s cancer community for over 10 years, performing countless robotic procedures on local cancer patients.

The Da Vinci Xi Surgical Robot is used to perform robotic assisted, minimally invasive surgery on prostate and kidney cancer patients. Over the past five years, more than 325 procedures have been successfully performed on local prostate and kidney cancer patients.

Dr. Sindu Kanjeekal (pictured), chief of oncology at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre, and board member of the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation, knows the ripple effect this investment will have on local cancer care.

“The Da Vinci Xi represents the type of cutting-edge medical technology that this community wants and deserves. People can stay here to get treatment with confidence knowing that they are getting the very best care close to home. This is also what we need to attract the best and brightest medical professionals. This is the way of the future,” said Dr. Kanjeekal.

Robotic-assisted surgery improves survival rates, reduces organ trauma, and results in shorter hospital stays and faster recovery allowing patients to return to everyday life, the hospital said.

Houida Kassem, executive director of the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation, had this to say about the continued support from our community: “The goal of every campaign is to ensure that local patients have access to the innovative technology and treatments that can change their lives. Together, we are making advanced care accessible to those who need it most. This wouldn’t be possible without your generous contributions.”

About Grow On Windsor
Grow On Windsor is a signature campaign of the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation. Launched in 2014, men from our community participated in Grow On Windsor in the month of November by disregarding their shaving regimen and growing a beard to raise awareness and funds for local cancer care. While we love the beards, Grow On Windsor is also an opportunity to team up and raise funds through friendly competition and month-long promotions. Encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to team up with you in support of cancer awareness, research, and treatment for patients in our community. Every dollar raised stays local to support the purchase of vital tools and equipment not otherwise funded by the province.

About the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation
The Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation serves as the official fundraising arm for the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre, fulfilling requests of the Windsor Regional Cancer Program. These requests include the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment, patient amenities, and initiatives, such as the Patient Assistance Fund, and our Seeds4Hope program which supports excellent local cancer research. Thanks to tremendous community support, the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation has raised over $35 million to date!