Sam Bruno, who died of colorectal cancer in July, advocated first to have PET scans publicly insured in Ontario, and when he won that battle, moved on to trying to bring one of the machines to Sudbury, collecting thousands of names on a petition.
There are currently no PET scanner machines located in northeastern Ontario.
Frank Bruno said the family has decided to take up the torch for Sam Bruno, not only to honour his brother’s memory, but because PET scanners are an important tool to detect early stage cancer and heart ailments.
“Right now, (raising money for this cause) is probably the single most important thing, outside of our family values, that we have,” Frank Bruno said.
“This is something that is on the top of our list, absolutely.”
Right now, (raising money for this cause) is probably the single most important thing, outside of our family values, that we have.
Frank Bruno,
brother of the late PET scan advocate Sam Bruno
Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas, who worked with Bruno on the issue, said she tried to convince Ontario Minister of Health Deb Matthews to fund the capital costs associated with purchasing a PET scanner for Sudbury Regional
Hospital.
However, Matthews refused to provide the funding, stating that the 11 PET scan machines currently in use in Ontario were purchased by individual health care organizations, Gélinas said. The minister is much more open to funding the
operational costs, she said.
Frank Bruno said it’s “shameful” that the Ministry of Health will not provide the capital costs to purchase the PET scanner.
“We’re being looked upon as a region which maybe doesn’t deserve it, for some strange, odd reason,” he said.
“I completely think it’s unfair. That’s why, as a group, we’re going to independently raise the $3.5 million for this
machine.”
The first event to raise money for the PET scanner will be the Sam Bruno Fund Gala, to be held Nov. 18, starting at 6 p.m. at the Caruso Club.
Dr. David Webster, an expert on PET scans, will speak at the event. Frank Bruno said the event will also honour Sam Bruno, although the primary focus will be on the importance of PET scans.
Tickets cost $80 each, and are available at the Notre Dame Boys, the Cedar Street Rexall, all Bank of Montreal locations in the city, Inspired Interiors and Sleep Experience, Remi Gosselin Flooring, Vrab’s Independent Grocer, or by phoning the Sudbury Regional Hospital Foundation at 705-523-7130 or Lori at 705-969-7356.
Gélinas said she thinks the fundraising campaign is a good way to honour Bruno’s life.
“Sam did a lot of work when we were collecting (names on) the petition,” she said.
“At the time, he was very sick. Energy was precious. He always chose to be there to support (the cause). Certainly, it will be fitting to his memory.”
