Canadian Nuclear Experts Laurentis Energy Partners Support Newest Nuclear Medicine Scanner at Lakeridge Health with gift of $250,000
Durham Region – Lakeridge Health Foundation is pleased to announce a significant gift of $250,000 from Laurentis Energy Partners (Laurentis), a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation (OPG), toward a new gamma camera in Oshawa.
The nuclear medicine department is an important sub-specialty of diagnostic imaging that helps monitor and diagnose diseases of the thyroid, heart, kidney, stomach, bone and tissues. What makes nuclear medicine scans so unique is that patients are given a small, safe amount of radioactive tracer that emits gamma rays inside the body and can be detected by a specialized camera.
A fellow ally in nuclear medicine, the generous gift from Laurentis is supporting the purchase of a new gamma camera. At a price tag of $1.5 Million each, gamma cameras are used to look for issues such as cardiac function and blood flow, cancer spread and treatment response, lung perfusion and ventilation defects, and internal bleeding in real time.
Lakeridge Health’s Oshawa Hospital site is currently operating some of the oldest diagnostic imaging equipment in Ontario. This aging technology, overwhelming demand, and long wait times threaten the speed and precision of patient care.
New diagnostic imaging technology made possible by donors like Laurentis will be essential to ensuring timely diagnoses for patients, and expanding access to advanced treatments right here in Durham Region.
“This generous donation reflects a natural alignment between Laurentis Energy Partners’ expertise in nuclear innovation and the life-saving nuclear medicine scans happening at Lakeridge Health,” says Yves Gadler, CEO, Lakeridge Health Foundation. “By supporting this technology, Laurentis is helping us raise more awareness about the importance of diagnostic imaging and the tools our experts need to deliver exceptional patient care, close to home. On behalf of our Board of Directors, Foundation team and Lakeridge Health colleagues – thank you for advancing healthcare in Durham Region and beyond.”
Each year, approximately 6,000 patients receive gamma camera scans in the Oshawa Hospital to support their personalized care and limit travel outside their communities. Investments in new technology such as new gamma cameras will allow Lakeridge to increase efficiency and capacity of patients as well as prepare for the future of theranostics and therapeutic procedures that only nuclear medicine can provide. These include newly approved therapies that are changing the way hospitals are able to treat and support patients.
“This investment is about delivering faster diagnoses and better outcomes for families across Durham Region,” said Rudy Cuzzetto, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Mines. “By expanding access to advanced tools like gamma cameras, we are helping detect cancer earlier, when it is most treatable. Backed by Ontario’s global leadership in medical isotopes, this donation strengthens our ability to connect patients with the care they need, closer to home, and reinforces our commitment to a stronger, more resilient health care system.”
Laurentis is a leading global supplier of critical medical isotopes, produced using North America’s largest isotope production system – the Target Delivery System – installed at OPG’s Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. This system enables reliable, large-scale production of isotopes such as molybdenum-99 – the gold standard for diagnostic imaging – alongside therapeutic isotopes like lutetium-177 and yttrium-90, used in targeted cancer treatments. Through this work, Laurentis is helping improve patient outcomes and strengthen healthcare systems around the world.
“At Laurentis Energy Partners, we’re proud to support healthcare close to home while advancing life-saving innovation,” said Leslie McWilliams, Laurentis Energy Partners President and CEO. “The exceptional care delivered by Lakeridge Health is strengthened by advanced diagnostic tools like gamma cameras, powered by medical isotopes like those we produce right here in Durham Region. This investment reflects our commitment to supporting Lakeridge Health and improving access to timely, high-quality care for patients and families when they need it most.”
With its headquarters in Oshawa, the donation also highlights Laurentis‘s local roots and commitment to the well-being of the communities where its employees live and work. Many staff, retirees, and their families rely on Lakeridge Health for care, making this contribution especially meaningful.
"Ontario’s nuclear advantage is saving lives. Made-in-Ontario medical isotopes help with early detection and prevention of cancer, afflicting over 200,000 Canadians diagnosed this year alone. Ontario is a world leader in nuclear innovation, with an ambitious plan to double isotope production by 2030. This contribution coupled with Ontario's plan to double isotope production will detect cancer earlier and treat patients faster." - Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines
“Investing in this new medical equipment represents a meaningful step forward in patient care and I wish to thank Laurentis Energy Partners for their generous donation toward the purchase of a new Gamma Camera. Early detection and screening for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses enhances the life-changing opportunity for an early diagnosis for patients, and we are thankful to our community partners like Laurentis Energy for their contributions that directly improve the health and well-being of our community.” - Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham
“Today’s investment is great news for patients and families across Durham Region,” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby. “By supporting the purchase of a new gamma camera at Lakeridge Health Oshawa, our Government is improving access to advanced diagnostic imaging that helps detect cancer earlier and save lives. This donation will strengthen local health care capacity and ensure residents can receive timely, high-quality care close to home.” - Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby