Curan’s Cardiac Centre Launches Appeal

THUNDER BAY – Health – Curan’s Heart Centre in Thunder Bay has launched a $300,000 Cell Sorter fundraising campaign. “Dr Christopher Lai, Staff Cardiologist at Curans Heart Centre, and a team of medical researchers at Lakehead University, headed by Dr. Wang and Dr. Guangdong, are working in collaboration with the Canadian and Chinese governments to make prostate cancer and heart disease in Northwestern Ontario a thing of the past.
Comprised of doctors from around the globe and spearheaded by Dr Lai, the research team at the Thunder Bay Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Unit has taken big strides towards achieving this goal. But in order to continue their research they need a cell sorter – a highly specialized piece of equipment, valued at $300,000.

When your cardiologist keeps you alive and asks for help”, said Gerry Tobin, a long-time supporter and patient of Dr Lai, “it is hard to say no while remembering the years with family and friends.”

The fundraising campaign aims to acquire 300 tax-deductible donations of $1000. However, donations of any size will be gratefully received. A number of local businesses, groups and individuals have already come on board, including Grant Thornton and Balmoral Park Acura.

In addition to his groundbreaking work as a cardiologist, Dr Lai is also well known for his upbeat outlook on life and quirky sense of humour.

When asked about the importance of the Cell Sorter Campaign Dr. Lai had this to say: “Your cells said to me ‘Do you know who I am? Catch me if you can’. You call your doctor, ‘Hey Doc, I cannot pee’. Your doctor said ‘bring a urine sample, see what we can do’. ‘Hey Doc, I can’t breath, can you help?’ Your doctor said, ‘cell therapy will do the trick’.”

For more information call: Curans Heart Centre – 1165 Barton Street, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5N3 (807) 345-3355