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(Hamilton) Cancer care workers in Hamilton are taking their message about the crisis in Ontarios cancer care system directly to the public.

The 250 frontline cancer care workers who work in the Hamilton Cancer Centre, members of CUPE Local 3566, are launching the campaign to alert Hamiltonians to the crisis unfolding in their own backyard.

The CUPE cancer care workers message will be delivered via billboards, newspaper and radio ads. The campaign theme is, “We Put the CARE in Cancer Care.”

Says Local 3566 President Shaun Pearson, “Hardly a day goes by now, when we dont hear more about Ontarios cancer care crisis. As cancer care workers we believe we must play an advocacy role in this critically important issue.”

“The provincial governments lack of long term planning and chronic under-funding have created this crisis. The shortage of Radiation Therapists, for instance, is hitting hard right here in Hamilton. Despite this, cancer care workers across Ontario continue to provide the best possible care to cancer patients,” says Pearson.

Pearson adds, “Our members know their job is to make sure the needs of cancer patients are met in a professional and compassionate way. But we cant do it alone. We need a genuine commitment from this provincial government and employers in this sector to fix the problem.”

Says Pearson, “Cancer patients are depending on us. The time for lip service is over!”

CUPE Local 3566 represents Radiation Therapists, Technicians, RNAs, Information Services, Quality Assurance, administrative staff, and other technical and electrical workers at the Hamilton Cancer Centre. The centre is part of a province-wide chain operated by Cancer Care Ontario.

For information:

John McCracken, CUPE Communications Rep.

416) 292-3999 (o)

Shaun Pearson, President, CUPE Local 3566

( (905) 317-3067 (Cell)

April 3, 2000

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