There will be a different sort of open house this weekend in Windsor.
The Windsor Regional Cancer Centre is opening its doors to the public to dispel some myths of what happens inside.
People will be able to visit the different departments, see the equipment that is used, along with meeting the staff.
Speaking on AM800's the Afternoon News; Cancer Centre Manager of Quality Improvement Programs Priyanka Phillips says this is about alleviating the fears of what happens when people go through radiation or chemotherapy.
"We do have a tour that takes place with the patients when they first come in but that day is quite overwhelming, so the idea was sort of borne out of there and to say why don't we open up our doors for the general public and have them come in and actually take the fear out of having to come through these doors," says Phillips.
She says the tour goes beyond the basics.
"People know that we provide chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments in the centre but we have a plethora of other programs and services that make the cancer journey a lot more comfortable for our patients and their families and we wanted to raise awareness around that." She adds, the goal is to educate people, saying "It is alleviating fears of the unknown and empowering people in the community about what is available right in this community, right at home, close to home. A lot of times people are under the impression that larger centres in London and Toronto provide better care."
Regional Vice President of the Erie-St. Clair Regional Cancer Program Monica Staley says there has been lots of talk lately about the local cancer program bursting at its seams and outgrowing the space. But despite that she says, patients receive care that is among the best in the province.
The open house runs on Saturday, May 4th from 10am to 2pm.
— With files from AM800's Patty Handysides