Changing the course of breast care

“Your generous gift is an investment in the future of countless people…the patients of the Breast Care Centre and in the lives of all the people who care about them, people you do not know personally, but people whose lives will forever be positively affected by your gift.”

Upon hearing this heartfelt message from a breast care patient, the normally reserved Norton Wolf became emotional.

Standing beside his wife Lucille, and with his sister and children surrounding him, it was a poignant moment in 2013. On that day, the Wolf family had come together with patients, care providers, volunteers and community leaders to celebrate the opening of St. Joseph’s new Norton and Lucille Wolf Breast Care Centre. 

“It’s hard to believe that was 10 years ago,” says Michelle Campbell, President & CEO, St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation. “Lucille and Norton both became very attached to the work of the Centre. They wanted to leave their mark on the London community, and this was the project through which they chose to do that.”

It was in the fall of 2010 that St. Joseph’s made the decision to consolidate breast care services. The idea behind the move was to offer comprehensive breast imaging, from diagnosis to treatment to post-operative and care services in one location to improve patient access and clinical coordination. It eliminated the need for return visits and waiting weeks or months to have all diagnostic procedures completed. 

A donation of $1.1 million from the Wolf family paved the way for the creation of the consolidated Centre.

“The Norton and Lucille Wolf Breast Care Centre has name recognition across Canada for its innovative work in breast imaging and care,” Michelle adds. “Lucille and Norton and their family started something very special here with their personal philanthropy and we remain so grateful to them for that leadership.”

A decade later, the Centre continues to lead the way regionally and nationally in providing comprehensive breast care to people. Since its opening, more than 240,000 patient visits have been provided. 

Dr. Sarah Knowles, Medical Director of St. Joseph’s Breast Care Program, housed in the Centre, says that the combination of incredibly devoted staff, the newest technology and equipment, research, plus a focus on trainees makes a difference in the care provided and the outcome for patients. 

“Our staff, from radiologists, technologists, nurses, surgeons, and clerical staff are dedicated to our patient-centered approach,” she says. “We have a great staff working here, some of them are world experts and that attracts the best of the best people to work here.”

Norton and Lucille’s daughter, Karen Leitner, recalls the day with great pride. And she remembers the positive atmosphere and the warmth she felt during the announcement event. 

“I feel really proud of my parents and I know my siblings do also,” she says. “My parents believed in giving back to the community.”

“My dad loved to help people and he loved hearing people’s stories,” says Karen. “During our visit to the Centre, we came away with the impression that staff really cared and that patients felt confident they were receiving the best care possible.”

Karen says that her family’s dedication to philanthropy in London dates back more than fifty years. And while the people who receive care at the Centre may not know the Wolf family, what truly matters is how they feel and that their care is enriched. 

Looking to the future, once again, St. Joseph’s will be investing in a new generation of breast imaging equipment for the Centre to serve the people in their care. Through community support, St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation is raising $5 million to purchase this game-changing equipment needed to detect and diagnose breast cancer faster. Updating equipment such as 3D Mammography systems, new ultrasound units and biopsy systems will provide the very best care experience for patients as they undergo breast screening and assessment.