Bruce Power and Saugeen Ojibway Nation donate $25,000 to Hockey Fights Cancer

Bruce Power and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON), through their Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin medical isotope partnership, donated $25,000 to the Canadian Cancer Society’s Hockey Fights Cancer fund-raiser, Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Owen Sound Attack game.

Hockey Fights Cancer is a fund-raising event that sees 100 per cent of the game proceeds go to the Cancer Society’s research and care programs, which include transportation and lodging services for local people living with cancer.

James Scongack, Bruce Power’s chief operating officer and executive vice-president, dropped the ceremonial puck, while hundreds of SON members enjoyed the game from the stands.

The Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin partnership – Fighting Cancer Together – joins Bruce Power and SON as one of the world’s leading producers of the medical isotope Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) at the Bruce Power site in SON territory. Lu-177 fights neuroendocrine tumours and prostate cancer.

Since Bruce Power and its partners at Isogen and SON installed an Isotope Production System (IPS) on Unit 7 in 2022, the partnership’s Lu-177 has provided thousands of treatments to people across the world, while increasing medical research into further uses for the isotope.

The partnership recently added a second IPS on Unit 7, doubling the amount of Lu-177 Bruce Power can produce on a weekly basis, bringing even more cancer-fighting isotopes to the world’s health-care system.

“Being involved in Hockey Fights Cancer is another way for Bruce Power and our partner, the SON, to positively impact families who have experienced a cancer diagnosis,” said Scongack. “The Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin partnership is changing lives across the world, and as we look to expand our isotope program on-site, the sky really is the limit.”

“We have all been impacted by cancer in our lives, and it is very meaningful to be part of helping people on their cancer journey,” said SON chief Conrad Ritchie. “It is also a good lesson for all of us in learning to work together.”

Chief Greg Nadjiwon of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, said he is proud for the SON to be part of a partnership that has the potential to benefit so many people.

“We are proud to be part of this partnership that produces medical isotopes in our territory and through our partnership, we know we will play a role in increasing access to isotopes for cancer treatment locally and around the world,” he said.



Gathered for the presentation of $25,000 to Hockey Fights Cancer, are Brenda Hawthorne (left), volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society; Allison Taylor-Misener, Cops for Cancer specialist at the Canadian Cancer Society; Carlene Keeshig, councillor, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation; Lester Anoquot, councillor, Saugeen First Nation; and James Scongack, Bruce Power’s chief operating officer and executive vice-president