Betty Birmingham (centre) with cancer survivor and physician Dr. Alexandra Ginty (left) and daughter Jennifer (right).
Long-time supporter Mrs. Betty Birmingham has made a pledge to match up to $1 million in funds being raised to launch a surgical robotics program for cancer care at the Credit Valley Hospital.
The surgical robotics program will be the first of its kind in the region. The program will allow cancer patients to be surgically treated closer to home, and for more complex cancers to be treated in a minimally invasive way. Doctors will work at a console with robot-assisted tools that allow unparalleled precision, dexterity and control to perform complex surgeries. Benefits to surgical robotics include smaller incisions, far less blood loss, lower risk complications, minimal scarring, less pain and a much shorter hospital stay.
On February 9, the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation will be hosting their Laugh Out Loud fundraising event for the surgical robotics program. Canadian comedian Howie Mandel will be headlining Laugh Out Loud and comedian Gerry Dee will be hosting.
To purchase tickets or to make a donation, please visit www.lol4cvh.ca or call The Credit Valley Hospital Foundation at 416-813-4123.
And to give you a little taste of what you can expect to see at the show, here are some stand-up bits from Mandel and Dee.
Howie Mandel stand-up, on doing voices for TV and film:
Gerry Dee stand-up, on having Italian neighbours*
*content vetted by resident Italian assistant editor, Leo Graziani