Over a million dollars was raised at a rock concert on Thursday night to help pay for 4D CT Simulator at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina.
The CT simulator uses 4D technology to assist oncologists in attacking tumours with more accuracy by pinpointing the location and movement of a tumour, allowing doctors to strike only the cancer and avoiding healthy cells.
The Garage Band, which features notable community figures including Regina Mayor Michael Fougere and Regina and District Chamber of Commerce CEO John Hopkins, performed in front of hundreds of people at the Evening to ROCK Cancer event at the Conexus Arts Centre.
During the event, the group announced a total of $1,070,500 was raised thanks to the gala.
The Garage Band announce over $1m has been raised to help pay for a new 4D CT Simulator at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre. Standing O here at the Conexus Arts Centre. #YQR #Regina pic.twitter.com/7BNcQvPsLm
— Moises Canales (@MoisesCanalesJr) September 27, 2019
Hopkins, who is one of the guitarists in The Garage Band, said the money people are helping to raise will change people’s lives.
“Everybody who goes through radiation treatments in Regina has to use this CT simulator, so we’re really proud in the fact that we’re raising money for something that is needed,” he stated before taking the stage on Thursday.
Hopkins was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in June of last year. His doctor eventually told him while the cancer is manageable, it is incurable.
For him, this is a very personal cause considering he’s used the CT simulator before.
“I’ve gone through the radiation centre, I’ve gone through chemo, I’ve been to the Allan Blair more times than I’d want to be. But it’s really important of what we’re trying to accomplish here, and I’m really proud of it.”
A 4D CT Simulator. (Photo: Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan)
Several months ago, he and his bandmates decided they were going to use their musical talents to help raise money for cancer. The goal started at $25,000, and it kept growing until they set it at $1.5 million for a new CT simulator.
The band has performed at a few events this year including a performance on the rooftop of the Fat Badger in June and opening for Loverboy during Shake The Lake in August.
But after Thursday night’s announcement in the basement of the Conexus Arts Centre, the band was blown away by the generosity and support from their friends, family and other members of the community.
“We’re going to be saving lives, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Conexus Credit Union also pitched in with a donation of $500,000 that was announced before the show.
There are only two CT simulators in Saskatchewan – one in Saskatoon and a new unit at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina which was installed back in July. Funds from the event will help pay off the new simulator.
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