When the cancer centre at Southlake Regional Health Centre opens in fall 2009, it will mark the end of an ambitious, nine-year transformation.

For a growing number of residents diagnosed with cancer, the centre will translate into world-class care much closer to home.

However, it will also stand as a reminder of the unprecedented generosity that made the hospital’s largest fundraising campaign a success.

Last week, the hospital took a big step toward its $60-million goal when it announced more than $38 million has been raised in two years, thanks to large individual and corporate donations.

That means the focus will now shift to a more community-driven campaign where proceeds from charity garage sales, golf tournaments and parties will account for the final $22 million, said Neila Poscente, president and chief executive officer of the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation.

“The challenge now is to have the entire community embrace this project,” Ms Poscente said.

“We still have a ways to go. We can only do it if everyone makes a contribution. People need to understand that every penny counts. There’s no such thing as, ‘My donation is too small’,” she said.

It’s a message Lorraine Mennen and the staff at Pathway to Perennials, in Pottageville, near Schomberg, have embraced the past five years.

‘It’s people helping people. That’s how great things happen.’

Next month’s Art and Jazz Party is expected to raise $5,000 for the hospital.

“Our family developed the concept and we built on it,” she said.

Her father, Peter, lost his battle with brain cancer 10 years ago.

“Everyone has lost someone to this horrible disease.”

With Southlake’s massive catchment area, stretching into the region’s south end, north of Georgina and often well beyond York’s borders, the response from the community has been overwhelming, said Kathy Proudfoot, chairperson of the community campaign division.

“To look around and see how excited participants were to be part of this, to take on the challenge of bringing this campaign home, was a moment I will never forget,” Mrs. Proudfoot said, following last Sunday’s ceremony.

It included a torch-passing, marking the shift to the community to raise the balance of the funds needed.

“I am confident that their enthusiasm will be infectious and that we will see a tidal wave of support coming from people who have not yet had an opportunity to give,” she added.

Community spirit will fuel the drive toward the target, said Michael Smith, president of Smith Rogers Financial and a member of Southlake’s board of directors.

His company, which provides tax sheltering strategies to businesses and health care professionals, has committed $50,000 to the campaign.

But he expects as much as $10 million more can be raised from his long list of clients.

“I don’t just discuss tax strategy with clients, it’s about philanthropy too. I plant the seed that philanthropy is important, too, and I help facilitate that,” he said.

“When you’re part of a community, you’re either part of the solution or part of the problem. I want to set a good example for my kids.”

Ms Poscente agreed. “It’s people helping people. That’s how great things happen,” Ms Poscente said.

The completion of the cancer centre will mean York Region patients requiring radiation treatment will not have to drive to Toronto hospitals.

Southlake handles about 16,000 cancer patient visits every year. By 2012, the cancer centre will have 100,000 patient visits a year.

It will also be part of a partnership with Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, where some of its cancer specialists will help set up the centre along with ongoing hospital operations.

Anyone interested in learning more about Southlake’s partnership with Princess Margaret Hospital can attend an information session with radiation oncologist Dr. Padraig Warde Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Medical Arts Building, sixth floor lecture hall, across the street from Southlake at 581 Davis Dr.