$10,000 donation towards prostate cancer treatment

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT AREA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

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Prostate Cancer and general prostate health issues are very common among men.

Prostate Cancer Canada states that one in every seven men will face prostate cancer in their lifetime, while many more will face issues that will affect the ability to live a comfortable lifestyle.

This well-known fact is exactly what hit home for Right Worshipful Brother Brian K. Olson, a member of the Penewobikong Lodge No. 487 in Blind River.

In July 2013, Olson became the District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM) for Algoma East District and decided to start a program to focus the efforts of Masonic Lodges in Algoma to help bring the equipment necessary to treat patients who suffer from prostate cancer and other prostate issues.

The Algoma East District Masons made donations to the project throughout Brian Olson’s term as DDGM and as he prepares to pass on the torch, the project has concluded.

With the donations made by the Masons throughout the Algoma District, Olson has selected the Urology department at the Sault Area Hospital to purchase equipment that will increase the number of patients that receive treatment.

“We wanted to stay local while fighting this terrible disease. When we found out that we could help double the number of surgeries and reduce recovery times by offering different treatment, all the members of the eight lodges in the district started donating. We all know this is a disease that could affect us, our brothers, and the men in our communities and for this we wanted to help ensure the Sault Area Hospital’s physicians have the necessary tools to treat the patients that enter this clinic.” states Brian Olson DDGM of the Algoma East District.

The eight masonic lodges of the Algoma East District that contributed to this donation are:

• Keystone Lodge No. 412 – Sault Ste. Marie
• Hatherly Lodge No. 625 – Sault Ste. Marie
• Algoma Lodge No. 469 – Sault Ste. Marie
• Elliot Lake Lodge No. 698 – Elliot Lake
• Penewobikong Lodge No. 487 - Blind River
• Dyment Lodge No. 442 – Thessalon
• Lorne Lodge No. 622 – Chapleau
• Woodland Lodge No. 680 – Wawa

The Sault Area Hospital Foundation received a cheque from the Algoma East District Masons for the amount of $10,054 towards the purchase of equipment for the Urology Clinic.

The funds will be prioritized to purchase equipment for Prostate Cancer treatment at Sault Area Hospital.

Olson, along with John Stewart, District Secretary of Algoma East District, Alex Solomon, Masonic Foundation District Committee Chairman and John Thomas, Secretary of Penewobikong Lodge arrived at the Sault Area Hospital June 25 to present the Sault Area Hospital Foundation with the Algoma East District Masons’ donation.

They received a tour of the department along with an in-depth explanation of the equipment the funds will be used to help purchase, by Dr. Nadim Haidar, Urologist.

The Sault Area Hospital Foundation, on behalf of the physicians, staff and patients of the Urology Clinic (present and future), would like to thank the Algoma East District Masons for their generosity.

Their fraternity’s commitment to healthcare in this community will help provide the patients of Algoma with the excellent healthcare they deserve.

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