The Terry McKerrow Cat Scan Operating Fund Board honoured area Lions Clubs by naming the CT Suites at the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) for the late Reg Laroche and the Lions Clubs of Region 17 yesterday.
It's in recognition of a $1 million donation to the Cancer Care, "Close to Home" campaign.
“Twenty-five years ago area Lions came together to fund the operation of our community’s first CT scanner,” said Dennis Young, Chair of the Terry McKerrow Board. “Reg Laroche was instrumental in this campaign. After his good friend and fellow Lion, Terry, passed away he worked in earnest to secure support from every club in Region 17 resulting in the establishment of the Terry McKerrow Cat Scan Operating Fund. The Fund was managed by a Board comprised of Lions and community representatives who had the best interest of our district’s healthcare at heart.”
Angela Hollands spoke of her father Reg Laroche, and his commitment to family and community.
"It's such an honour," she told CKAT. "My Dad would be so proud. He didn't get a chance to see this beautiful hospital built, but he knew the hospital and cat scan are very important and I think he'd be blown away by what they've done here.
“Having a clear vision of what community support would mean for our hospital, my dad dedicated two full years to getting the Terry McKerrow fund going. Many people knew my dad and they’d always tell me how he touched their life. What would he say about today’s celebration? To those that knew him, you’d agree he was the humblest person you’d ever meet. He’d likely feel undeserving and deflect any credit to the clubs and their effort. But he’d be so proud to be acknowledged with his Lions and he would be extremely proud of what the Terry McKerrow organization has accomplished over the last 25 years, and the sustained impact that the initial fundraising has had on our community’s healthcare.”