We need a mid Vancouver Island Cancer clinic and it needs to be in Port Alberni

Recently, Salon Revive received an eviction notice from its space at the Vancouver Island Cancer Clinic in Victoria. The reason given was the space was needed.

This highlights the need for an up-island (north of the Malahat) cancer care facility, Approximately 45% of cancer patients on the island come from up island. Many find the cost of travel/accomodations in Victoria for cancer care prohibitive, some delay or defer their care for this reason. This often has a negative outcome.

Port Alberni is an ideal place for a mid-island cancer centre. With West Coast General Hospital functioning in Port Alberni, plus the relatively inexpensive land value compared to other Vancouver Island cities, Alberni Valley would be able to treat patients from the west coast, north island and eastside around mid-island. Currently, Island Health (formerly known as VIHA) is the biggest employer in Port Alberni and with the aging demographics of the population, this reality is likely to continue.