Laurentis supports new gamma camera at Lakeridge Health Oshawa

Laurentis Energy Partners (Laurentis) is proud to announce a donation of $250,000 toward the purchase of a new gamma camera at Lakeridge Health in Oshawa. The announcement was made at a local event attended by senior leadership from Laurentis and the Lakeridge Health Foundation, along with Rudy Cuzzetto, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Mines, and MPP for Whitby, Lorne Coe.

The timing of this investment is especially meaningful, as it coincides with Cancer Awareness Month in April – a time dedicated to highlighting the importance of early detection and access to advanced diagnostic care. By supporting this initiative, Laurentis is helping ensure more patients can benefit from timely, accurate diagnoses.

The funding will support the replacement of aging diagnostic imaging equipment and help expand access to nuclear medicine services for patients across Durham Region. Nuclear medicine is an important sub-specialty of diagnostic imaging that helps detect and monitor diseases of the thyroid, heart, kidney, stomach, bone and tissues.

What sets nuclear medicine apart is its use of a small, safe amount of radioactive tracer, which emits gamma rays from within the body. These emissions are captured by highly specialized imaging equipment, such as gamma cameras, to produce detailed, real-time images of organ and tissue function. Lakeridge Health Oshawa is equipped with both PET-CT and gamma camera technology, enabling patients to receive advanced, personalized care close to home.

Gamma cameras play a critical role in modern healthcare. They are essential tools for detecting disease at earlier stages, assessing how well treatments are working, and guiding clinical decision-making. Each year, more than 6,000 patients rely on gamma camera imaging at Lakeridge Health to diagnose and monitor conditions including cancer, cardiac disease, and internal bleeding.

This investment will enhance diagnostic accuracy, reduce wait times, and increase system capacity – ensuring more patients receive the care they need, when and where they need it.

“This generous donation reflects a natural alignment between Laurentis Energy Partners’ expertise in nuclear innovation and the life-saving nuclear medicine scans happening at Lakeridge Health,” said Yves Gadler, CEO, Lakeridge Health Foundation. “By supporting this technology, Laurentis is helping us raise more awareness about the importance of diagnostic imaging and the tools our experts need to deliver exceptional patient care, close to home. On behalf of our Board of Directors, Foundation team and Lakeridge Health colleagues – thank you for advancing healthcare in Durham Region and beyond.”

Laurentis, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation (OPG), is a leading global supplier of critical medical isotopes. These isotopes are produced using North America’s largest isotope production system – the Target Delivery System – installed at OPG’s Darlington Nuclear Generating Station in the Durham Region. This system enables the reliable, large-scale production of isotopes such as molybdenum-99, the gold standard for diagnostic imaging, as well as therapeutic isotopes like lutetium-177 and yttrium-90, used in targeted cancer treatments. Through this work, Laurentis is helping improve patient outcomes and strengthen healthcare systems worldwide.

“At Laurentis Energy Partners, we’re proud to support healthcare close to home while advancing life-saving innovation,” said Leslie McWilliams, President and CEO, Laurentis Energy Partners. “The exceptional care delivered by Lakeridge Health is strengthened by advanced diagnostic tools like gamma cameras, powered by medical isotopes like those we produce right here in Durham Region. This investment reflects our commitment to supporting Lakeridge Health and improving access to timely, high-quality care for patients and families when they need it most.”

The announcement also highlights Ontario’s leadership in isotope production and nuclear medicine innovation, with the province supplying a significant share of the global market.

“This investment is about delivering faster diagnoses and better outcomes for families across Durham Region,” said Rudy Cuzzetto, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Mines. “By expanding access to advanced tools like gamma cameras, we are helping detect cancer earlier, when it is most treatable. Backed by Ontario’s global leadership in medical isotopes, this donation strengthens our ability to connect patients with the care they need, closer to home, and reinforces our commitment to a stronger, more resilient health care system.”

With headquarters in Oshawa, Laurentis’s contribution underscores its strong connection to the local community and its ongoing support for regional healthcare infrastructure.

Quotes

"Ontario’s nuclear advantage is saving lives. Made-in-Ontario medical isotopes help with early detection and prevention of cancer, afflicting over 200,000 Canadians diagnosed this year alone. Ontario is a world leader in nuclear innovation, with an ambitious plan to double isotope production by 2030. This contribution coupled with Ontario's plan to double isotope production will detect cancer earlier and treat patients faster."

- Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines

"On behalf of the province, I want to thank Laurentis Energy Partners for this generous contribution to Lakeridge Health. This investment will directly support earlier detection, faster diagnoses, and better outcomes for patients across Durham Region. By expanding access to advanced diagnostic tools like this gamma camera, more people will be able to start treatment sooner and receive the care they need, when and where they need it."

- Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health

“Investing in this new medical equipment represents a meaningful step forward in patient care and I wish to thank Laurentis Energy Partners for their generous donation toward the purchase of a new Gamma Camera. Early detection and screening for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses enhances the life-changing opportunity for an early diagnosis for patients, and we are thankful to our community partners like Laurentis Energy for their contributions that directly improve the health and well-being of our community.”

- Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham

“Today’s investment is great news for patients and families across Durham Region,” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby. “By supporting the purchase of a new gamma camera at Lakeridge Health Oshawa, our Government is improving access to advanced diagnostic imaging that helps detect cancer earlier and save lives. This donation will strengthen local health care capacity and ensure residents can receive timely, high-quality care close to home.”

- Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby