Rotary Club of Regina
 

Club Meeting Report September 14^th, 2026.

          In-person, Delta Hotel, 12:00 Noon

1. Meeting Chair:

   President Russ opened the meeting by welcoming all Regina and Eastview club members, and guests. 

    

   President Russ provided our land treaty recognition followed with O Canada led by Gilda Treleaven-Graham, and the blessing/moment of meditation by Carole Bryant.

2. Speaker Name & Presentation:

   Our speaker today was Nora Yeates, CEO, Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan. Nora was the Foundation before the Foundation existed. She was one of the people who worked very diligently to create the Foundation in 2019. Since being formed this foundation has raised millions of dollars toward the treatment of cancer in Saskatchewan. Their mission “We raise funds to support the cancer needs of the people of Saskatchewan”.

   Some of their recent accomplishments have been the acquisition of two custom mobile mammography trailers that travel throughout the province, upgraded mammography technology in Regina and Saskatoon, the complete renewal of Regina Cancer Patient Lodge, plus ongoing investments in cancer research, innovation and new equipment. 

   Nora’s report: “The Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan is working to raise approximately $675,000 for specialized brachytherapy equipment at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina. This investment would expand treatment options for women with complex gynecologic cancers and bring advanced care closer to home for southern Saskatchewan families.

   Brachytherapy delivers radiation directly inside or beside a tumour. The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency has offered intracavitary brachytherapy for more than 20 years, using applicators placed inside the body. An advanced approach, called interstitial brachytherapy, uses thin, hollow needles placed directly into the tumour. This allows doctors to target larger or more complex cancers while limiting radiation exposure to surrounding organs.

   Saskatoon introduced this expanded treatment capability in January 2025 and growing demand highlights the need to expand access in Regina.

   Allan Blair already has the clinical expertise to provide this treatment. What is needed is specialized equipment, including applicators in different sizes and a bed that supports safe patient positioning.

   Through donor and community support, this equipment would increase Saskatchewan’s treatment capacity and reduce the need for southern Saskatchewan patients to travel to Saskatoon or outside the province for care. Fund raising target - $675,000. 

   Nora also shared a provincial capital campaign underway – the replacement of the Saskatoon Cancer Patient Lodge.  This is a brand new four-storey building that will be located on College Drive across from the Royal University Hospital.  With shovels in the ground this fall, the building is expected to be open to rural Saskatchewan cancer patients in the spring of 2028. With $12 million committed from the Foundation, the provincial and federal government will cover the remaining amount of more than $13 million.”

   Nora answered a number of questions. 

   An excellent presentation - very interesting and informative. Nora was thanked by President Russ.

    

3. Birthdays and Anniversaries:

   Birthdays: Al Goudie - September 10th

   Anniversaries: Tim Fraser - 3 years; Nick Kaufman - 47 years.

4. Reports and Announcements: 

Community Service at Soul’s Harbour, 1632 Angus Street, on September 17^th, 4:00 - 6:00 pm. We serve meals and coffee, pickup dirty dishes and put away the tables.  This only takes some two hours of your time. Let President Russ know (russellhart11@gmail.com) if you can assist with this most worthwhile cause. Our next date is October 15th

• Salvation Army Back Packing: The annual Backpacking packing event at 2240 13^th Ave., took place August 24, 2026. Some 1320 backpacks were packed with school supplies. Another successful “service above self” event for both our members and members from the Eastview Club. 

• Al and Karen Hoeft retirement - September 28^th.    Regina Community Church, 2440 - 13^th Avenue,

  @ 12:30. Celebrate the retirement of these two wonderful people who have served the Salvation Army for over 39 years. Please advise: navita.shokeen@salvationarmy.caif you plan to attend.

5. Other Newsworthy Items:

    

• UN World Peace Day - Sept. 21 - UN Secretary-General António Guterres says 

  “Peace is more than the absence of war; it is the foundation necessary to collectively tackle humanity’s challenges. It is the lived experience of safety, dignity, opportunities and cooperation in our daily lives…Remember, peace isn’t just built in conference rooms - it is shaped by everyone, everywhere, every day.”  Rotary, of course, has its own World Understanding and Peace Day (Feb. 21- commemorating the 1^st meeting of Rotary)

   

• September is Rotary’s Basic Education and Literacy Month.  Our club of course participates in the Rotary Free Reading Program for Kindergarten to grade 6 and maintains a free access portal on our website. Sept. 8^th was International Literacy Day.  One way to support is to donate to the Rotary Foundation in support of Literacy.  Or donate to the Ripple Project which our partner club Eastview has long supported.

   

• My Rotary - perhaps only 50% of Rotarians are registered.  It is a tremendous resource.  Please register and use it.

• Eastview Club President Jayna is leaving to further her education. She will be away for at least one year, Best wishes to both Jayna and to Gregory Baca who will be acting as President while Jayna is away.

   

• President Russ: “Thanks to Stewart for organizing the meeting and again acting as our Reporter.  Thanks to Anthony Byamukama for setup and take down, Al Goudie at reception, Joanna Alexander for greeting, Gilda for leading us in O Canada, Carole for the blessing, Ian Toms for 50-50 and Mark Stefan for 4 Way Test.”

•  The 50/50 pot was $219.50. No winner.
• Mark Stefan closed the meeting by leading us in the 4-WayTest.

6. Attendance: Regina Club -12; Eastview Club - 7; Guests 3 - our guest speaker - Nora Yeates and Kathy Skomar, Development Officer, Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan, and Leslie Toms.

7. Next Meetings:

• September 24^th - in-person meeting hosted by Eastview Club. Delta Hotel - 12:00 Noon
• October 5^th - in-person meeting hosted by Regina Club. Delta Hotel - 12:00 Noon.