Kelowna

The leading integrative care for cancer, in Canada, is coming to Kelowna.

InspireHealth will give cancer patients from the Southern Interior access to care that integrates with standard treatments to help optimize recovery and survival.

The centre hosted a soft opening, Friday afternoon, where CEO and co-founder Dr. Hal Gunn introduced InspireHealth to the Okanagan. 

Photo: Contributed

MLA Steve Thomson

Gunn explained that InspireHealth's model of integrative cancer care works with a patient's family doctor and oncologist to provide the best care possible, which combines nutrition, exercise, emotional and spiritual support with standard cancer treatments.

"We provide integrative care and support, and engage patients so that the fear of cancer is transformed into an inspired journey of health and well-being.”

InspireHealth first opened to cancer patients in 1997 in Vancouver, and has served over 6,500 people with cancer diagnosis.

Kelowna's care centre is one of four centres being built across the province thanks to  $2.5 million dollars in support from the BC Government.

Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson, made the announcement at the new centre, which is located inside the Town Centre Mall on Bernard, on behalf of the Minister of Health Michael de Jong.

Thomson says on top of the $2.5 million given to InspireHealth for the expansion, another $2.5 million was added to help with acquiring physicians.

“Our government’s vision is for a cancer-free society, and programs like InspireHealth support this vision. Unfortunately, many British Columbians have been affected by cancer in some way – statistics show that one in three will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime. Because of this, we need to provide care, support and comfort for our families and friends facing stressful times.”

Thomson also mentioned that western Canada has the lowest cancer mortality in the world thanks to cancer facilities, like InspireHealh, and to BC residents engaging in good health.

Photo: Contributed

Olympian Kristi Richards

RBC Olympian and the Okanagan’s own Kristi Richards also attended the official launch of the centre. Richards chose InspireHealth to donate a $5000 RBC grant, after realizing she had a personal connection with the centre, when her father was diagnosed with cancer.

“InspireHealth was the place to map it out for him. They were incredibly unbiased in all the information they were giving – it was truly integrative in every way. They transformed my father’s life.”

The Southern Interior centre will consist of eight rooms, including a yoga and meditation room, and will be 3000 square feet.

InspireHealth opened a centre in Victoria earlier this year, and centres will also be built in Abbotsford and Victoria.

InspireHealth is a non-profit society funded in part through British Columbia’s Ministry of Health. No referral is necessary, and the doctors are covered by the BC Medical Services Plan.