2017 Annual Report

The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation | 25 When Dan Andreae learned surgeons at The Princess Margaret were in need of two new da Vinci surgical robots, a platform that offers a minimally invasive option for major cancer surgery, he was inspired to donate $1 million to support this sophisticated technology. “I am awed and inspired by the many intricate surgeries the robot can perform,” says Andreae. “It will immeasurably improve the quality of life for patients both in the operating room and during recovery time.” The surgical robot allows surgeons to operate through just a few small incisions and use special instruments that bend and rotate beyond what would be possible for a human hand. The program Dan Andreae - Investing in New Technologies to Improve Patient Care was founded at The Princess Margaret in 2008, thanks to a generous gift from the Muzzo Family. Robotic surgery improves visualization of tumours, enabling surgeons to preserve more healthy tissue during surgery. Robotic surgery also provides a research platform to develop new techniques and refine existing therapies to constantly improve care for our patients. “It’s really amazing when donors show their confidence in our programs and give the kind of transformative donation that Dan did,” says Dr. Jonathan Irish. “With this kind of generosity, we can take our patient care to the next level.” Dr. Jonathan Irish and Dan Andreae TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP