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Media Release
NEW ONLINE EDUCATION TOOL FOR REGIONAL CANCER CARE
NORTHWEST PATIENTS
(Thunder Bay, ON – Wednesday, January 16, 2013) – Today, the Regional Cancer
Program at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is launching MyCancerGuide,
an online resource customized for patients and families of Regional Cancer Care
Northwest (RCC NW). My Cancer Guide is an online educational tool developed for
people affected by cancer. It provides support and information to make practical and
difficult decisions throughout a patient’s cancer journey in nine cancer sites.
“My Cancer Guide is an excellent example of how TBRHSC is tailoring its healthcare
strategies to respond to patient needs,” says Dr. Mark Henderson, Executive Vice-
President Chronic Disease Prevention and Management at TBRHSC and Regional Vice
President Cancer Care Ontario. “We are evolving from a disease-centred approach of
simply “fixing” patients toward treatment as a partnership between provider and
patient to promote total well-being.”
My Cancer Guide is personally reviewed by Regional Cancer Care Northwest staff
following evidence-based guidelines. It offers patients and families 24/7 access to
content that addresses a comprehensive range of practical, psychosocial, medical,
emotional, financial, family, and spiritual needs at any time in the cancer journey.
Cancer patients are introduced to My Cancer Guide at cancer centre appointments and
by other healthcare providers as they move through their journey.
“I find that My Cancer Guide complements my efforts to provide support for individuals
and families affected by cancer,” says Dr. Dimitri Vergidis, TBRHSC Chief of Oncology.
“This tool comes with practical paper forms that reinforce my discussions with patients
and help them learn at an appropriate time, pace, and level.”
“It can really ease your mind when you have information that better explains your
situation,” says Kathy Forbes, Patient and Family Advisor and member of the Patient
and Family Cancer Partnership. “My Cancer Guide is very user-friendly. At any time
during treatment you can get My Cancer Guide information from physicians, nurses,
clerical, lab, and supportive care staff.”
My Cancer Guide is the strong core of RCC NW’s patient experience strategy that strives
to ensure patients and families feel their informational and emotional needs are being
met. Developed by Canadian company, Jack Digital Productions, RCC NW has worked
closely to tailor this tool for cancer patients in the Northwest region.
“RCC NW has been an exceptional client for our company,” says Murray Rochon,
President + CEO, Jack Digital Productions. “Their commitment to enhancing the patient
experience has spurred improvements in the tool and we continue to work together to
hone My Cancer Guide for the benefit of all cancer patients and their families.”

Healthy living is about making decisions. My Cancer Guide is entirely centered on giving
cancer patients and their families the information they need to make practical decisions
throughout treatment and recovery. The battle against cancer is intensely personal, but
My Cancer Guide can help equip patients with the tools they need to make informed
decisions even when choices are difficult and uncomfortable.
"We are extremely pleased to support My Cancer Guide through our community's
contributions to the Northern Cancer Fund," says Brian McKinnon, Board Member and
Past Chair of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. "Today, more
people are living with cancer than dying from it and we know that this new tool will
assist patients and families as they embark on their cancer journey."
My Cancer Guide is available to cancer patients, families, and caregivers, as well as
community partners, surgeons, and primary care providers throughout the Northwest.
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Regional Cancer Care Northwest (RCC-NW) works to ensure that all patients receive
equitable access to quality cancer care by offering world-class services in cancer
prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive/palliative care to the
235,000 residents of Northwestern Ontario. We are one of 14 Regional Cancer
Programs in the province, operating in partnership with Cancer Care Ontario and
TBRHSC. Regional Cancer Northwest has 13 affiliated sites across the region, including
community hospitals and health access centres. www.tbrhsc.net/cancercare
Cancer Care Ontario – an Ontario government agency – drives quality and continuous
improvement in disease prevention and screening, the delivery of care and the patient
experience, for cancer, chronic kidney disease and access to care for key health
services. Known for its innovation and results-driven approaches, CCO leads multi-year
system planning, contracts for services with hospitals and providers, develops and
deploys information systems, establishes guidelines and standards and tracks
performance targets to ensure system-wide improvements in cancer, chronic kidney
disease and access to care.
Jack Digital Productions Inc. (JDP), a healthcare solutions company, is dedicated to
creating innovative programs that complement the efforts of healthcare providers to
improve the patient experience for people with chronic illness. JDP developed the
Oncology Interactive Navigator (OIN) platform - MyCancerGuide to its users - in
order to engage patients as active partners in care. The company works with providers
and patients on an ongoing basis to review, customize, and evaluate the tool. Research
on OIN has been funded by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and Canadian
Institutes for Health Research. www.jackdigital.com
For more information, please contact:
Janine Chiasson
Health Promotion and Communications Planner
Prevention and Screening Services, TBRHSC
807-684-7239
chiassoj@tbh.net