Durham Regional Cancer Centre's Patient and Family Experience Council Celebrates 10 Years!

Darla Sells remembers the day she rang the “end of treatment” bell at the Durham Regional Cancer Centre (DRCC) – signifying the completion of 16 rounds of treatment for breast cancer. While her patient journey ended with this common tradition for cancer patients when they finish treatment, her journey to help others began when she joined the newly formed Patient and Family Experience Advisory Council (PFEAC) in 2012.

“I remember thinking this is my chance to give back and to share things from a patient perspective,” recalled Darla. “It’s about continuous improvement for patients and for me, sharing my story and being part of the Council has helped me on my path as a cancer survivor.”

A decade later, the DRCC PFEAC is now celebrating 10 years in its partnership with leadership and staff of one of Ontario’s top cancer centres.

Advisors on the DRCC PFEAC are Lakeridge Health volunteers who have either received care as a patient at the DRCC or are a family member/Essential Partners-in-Care (EPC) of a DRCC patient. They provide input and feedback on initiatives involving patient care and services. The Council ensures the voices of patients and their families/EPCs are heard, considered, and included.

Another cancer survivor, Connie Bell, joined the Council in 2013 after becoming a patient at the DRCC with a diagnosis of stage two breast cancer. “I saw this as a unique way to give back and voice my opinion in a meaningful aspect,” said Connie.

Over the past 10 years, the Council has collaborated and consulted on over 30 committees and projects including:

• Renovations in the DRCC.
• A collaborative engagement with the DRCC team that involved the placement of 200 pieces of art donated by Artworks for Cancer, a not-for-profit foundation that brings works of art to cancer treatment units in hospitals across Ontario.
• Developing the Building Emotional Therapies Through Education and Relationships (BETTER) clinic – a clinic that helps cancer patients manage their worries or concerns.
• The High-Risk Cancer Screening Pilot.
• Development of the Gynecology-Oncology Centre at Lakeridge Health.

“The most valuable part for me is we’re always invited to various meetings and so involved in the DRCC’s plans or concepts, whether it be big or small,” said Connie. “For instance, we helped to design the BETTER clinic, including choosing the paint colour, furniture, and décor to help create a comfortable space for patients.”

“When people go through cancer, it’s a family experience and everyone in the home is affected in some way,” said Darla. “I bring my personal experience as a patient to my role as an advisor and can see my ideas come to life”.

Since the first PFEAC meeting on March 28, 2012, the group has grown to include 13 advisors who meet regularly with the Clinical Director and other members of the DRCC leadership team. At the onset of the pandemic, the PFEAC maintained its commitment to meet by pivoting to gather virtually. The Indigenous

Navigator for the Central East Regional Cancer Program joins the PFEAC meetings, which creates engagement opportunities and information sharing with the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities in the Central East Region.

As a top performing cancer centre, the DRCC at Lakeridge Health sees 7,000 new patients and delivers 58,800 treatments (includes both radiation/systemic treatments) for a total of 131,300 patient visits each year.

Congratulations to the DRCC PFEA Council on 10 incredible years of life-changing impact!