Nova Scotia Cancer Care Program

09/09/2026

Now accepting knitted or crocheted blankets at three locations, see below for details.

Thank you to the many generous Nova Scotians who quilt, knit or crochet blankets for patients receiving treatment at the QEII Cancer Centre, the Cape Breton Cancer Centre and in our palliative care units. 🚨 Our blanket supply is getting low. 🚨

Maggie, our therapy dog, knows the comfort that these blankets bring to patients. She is inviting all of our Nova Scotia knitters, quilters and crocheters to donate lap-sized blankets for cancer care patients or full-single bed sized blankets for palliative care patients.

The blankets will be handed out by volunteers to the patients in palliative care and in the many cancer centre waiting rooms, while patients wait for treatment.

A lap-sized blanket, or “lapghan”, is made to fit over a wheelchair or someone in a sitting position. Sizes typically range from 32” to 48” (81-122 cm) wide by 35” to 40” (89-102 cm) in length. A single-bed size blanket is around 65” wide by 90” in length (165 x 228 cm). There is no set pattern, and many to choose from online.

If you would like to quilt, knit or crochet a lapghan or blanket for our cancer centre and palliative care patients, please bring your donation(s) to any one of these locations:

• QEII Cancer Care and Palliative Care, to Erin Fair, our volunteer coordinator in Volunteer Services, Room 24, main floor of the Centennial Building in Halifax, any time from Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Valley Regional Hospital, Chipman Building, Room 622 in Kentville any time from Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney (Volunteer Services office, next to Blood Collections at the main entrance. Attention Cyril MacDonald) 1482 George St., Sydney any time from Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

If no one is there when you arrive, or if you can only deliver after these hours, donations can be left outside the office door and will be collected the following business day.

If you would like to receive a tax receipt for your donated blanket with a material value of $50 or more (less taxes paid), when you drop off your blanket(s), please leave the following information with Volunteer Services:

• a copy of your sales receipt for the purchased materials
• your name and address
• the date you dropped off the blanket

Thank you to the quilting, knitting and crochet community for all your amazing support!

📸 Photo of Maggie, Nova Scotia Health therapy dog.

08/05/2026

Radiation therapists key members of cancer team

Carissa Shank learned about the field of radiation therapy by chance. Originally from Ontario, she completed her studies at the Michener Institute in Toronto in 2021 and accepted a clinical placement at the QEII Cancer Centre in Halifax – viewing it as an opportunity to see and enjoy the East Coast. At the end of her placement, she was offered a position and she has been her ever since.

Carissa’s workdays are busy and varied. “I work with wonderful people,” she says. “I love being part of a team of many different health professionals – all working together to ensure patients are supported throughout their journey and receive the best care,” she says.

Read more about Carissa’s role as a radiation therapist here: https://www.nshealth.ca/news-and-notices/radiation-therapists-key-members-cancer-team-provide-treatment-expertise-and

Learn more about radiation therapy with Nova Scotia Health and discover incredible career opportunities in Halifax and Cape Breton: https://nsh.morethanmedicine.ca/radiation-therapy-careers



📸 Photo of Carissa Shank.

[Nova Scotia Cancer Care Program]

06/22/2026

Congratulations to all!

04/08/2026

Nova Scotia Health’s prideHealth team is partnering with GoProud Radio to launch a new podcast for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities! Hear trusted health information, learn about available services and connect to care.

📅 Launching April 7 | New episodes first Friday of every month.
💻 Listen & submit your questions: https://www.goproud.ca/pridehealth/

To learn more, visit our website: https://www.nshealth.ca/news-and-notices/pridehealth-partners-goproud-radio-strengthen-access-affirming-care



📸 Jared, prideHealth community liaison recording at the GOProud studio in Lunenberg.

[ Lunenburg County Pride ]

Nova Scotia Health is committed to building safe spaces. Comments that are not respectful, that include harassing, aggressive or abusive language, will be removed.

03/25/2026

This survey is still open, see post for more information.

Are you a woman who has been diagnosed with cancer?

We're inviting you to share your stories and experiences of grief and loss as part of a research study. By sharing your story, you can help us better understand the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis. Your insights can improve future support services for women going through similar experiences.

Learn more or join this study by:

∙ Scanning the QR code, or
∙ Following this link: https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_5w2sYSOFslu2Bds

If you’re eligible and have a few minutes, your contribution would greatly support this research. Your input truly makes a difference.



[ Taegen McPhee ]

02/04/2026

Our new campaign video celebrating the strength, stories, and lives of people living with cancer.When we listen to the lived experiences of people affected b...

12/18/2025

Are you a woman who has been diagnosed with cancer?

We're inviting you to share your stories and experiences of grief and loss as part of a research study. By sharing your story, you can help us better understand the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis. Your insights can improve future support services for women going through similar experiences.

Learn more or join this study by:

∙ Scanning the QR code, or
∙ Following this link: https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_5w2sYSOFslu2Bds

If you’re eligible and have a few minutes, your contribution would greatly support this research. Your input truly makes a difference.



[ Taegen McPhee ]

12/17/2025

Due to increased respiratory illness in the province, Nova Scotia Health will require masking when entering our facilities starting Dec. 18. This measure is for the safety of our patients and visitors. Signs will be posted at entrances and masks will be made available.

We thank you for your understanding and doing your part to keep everyone safe.

12/16/2025

12/12/2025

When a routine home screening test for colon cancer flagged an abnormal result, one Nova Scotian faced the possibility of major surgery. Thanks to an innovative procedure called endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), they avoided it.

This story is a powerful reminder: colon cancer screening saves lives – even when there are no symptoms. To read more, visit our website: https://www.nshealth.ca/news-and-notices/new-procedure-offers-nova-scotians-less-invasive-option-rectal-polyp-removal



📷 Photo of (L-R) of a patient with Dr. Harrison Petropolis.

[ Nova Scotia Cancer Care Program ]

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