The Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation and Irving Oil support cancer survivorship through commitment to Stay Strong

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Saint John, NB: The Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce gifts totalling $2 million today from Irving Oil and the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation to Horizon’s Stay Strong Program in support of Cancer Survivorship.  

Recognizing that the cancer journey extends far beyond the treatment process for survivors and their loved ones, this generous support of $1 million from Irving Oil and $1 million from the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation inspires the future vision to enhance the twelve-week Stay Strong program into a holistic cancer survivorship program.  

“To be well again is what every cancer survivor strives to be. Because no one can travel this journey alone, we thank the Stay Strong program for their meaningful support in helping patients get their lives back,” says Sandra Irving. “We are inspired by the program’s kindness and care, vision for the future and the meaningful impact of holistic cancer care, and we are so proud to support this Cancer Survivorship program and every patient whose life it impacts in so many ways.” 

“We all know someone who has been impacted by cancer. It could be a family member, a friend or a colleague,” says Ian Whitcomb, President of Irving Oil. “We are proud to support this program and make a difference in the lives of cancer survivors and their families in our community.” 

"More people today are surviving cancer and living much longer with their illness than ever before thanks to advances in detection, diagnosis, and treatment," says Dr. Margot Burnell, Saint John Regional Hospital Chief of Staff and Oncologist. "Cancer survivorship is more than surviving cancer. We created the collaborative survivorship program because we know that for survivors, the cancer journey extends beyond the treatment process."

Today, the Stay Strong program includes individualized exercise regimes aimed at improving cardiovascular fitness, strength, endurance and flexibility, as well as regularly scheduled workshops to support their transition back to 'regular' life after cancer. The program has evolved into a community of cancer patients who care and support each.  

With these gifts from the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation and Irving Oil, the Stay Strong program looks to further its reach in helping more cancer survivors in our community take control of their bodies and lives once they have completed their cancer treatment.  

"Horizon's Stay Strong patient support program is a primary area of need. The heartfelt support and generosity of the Irving family have been essential in building a sustainable program for years to come," says Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation President and CEO Jamie Gallagher. "Together with Sandra and Arthur Irving, the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation and Irving Oil, our Hospital Foundation will focus on growing the endowment through donor generosity, giving more patients access to the program at no cost, and continue to broaden program services." 

Together, we can help more individuals in our community access this vital program. Visit www.thegive.ca/staystrong today to learn more about how you can support the well-being of people surviving cancer and their families, friends, and caregivers.

About the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation
The Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization focused on funding health care initiatives outside the scope of government. Our donors have contributed over $123,000,000, making an impact by investing in capital equipment, research, education, mental health and patient support programs at our hospital and across the province. Learn more at www.thegive.ca.

About Irving Oil
Irving Oil is a family-owned and privately held international energy company. For nearly 100 years, our commitment to doing good business has been grounded in our commitment to people – to our employees, customers, communities and partners. Founded in 1924, our mission is focused on our continued evolution to meet the changing needs of our customers. Specializing in the refining and marketing of finished energy products, we operate Canada’s largest refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick, and Ireland’s only refinery located in the village of Whitegate. We proudly serve customers with more than 1,000 fuelling locations and a network of distribution terminals spanning Eastern Canada, New England and in Ireland, operating under the Top brand. We are on a continuous journey of sustainable development, working to reduce our environmental footprint while continuing to provide safe and reliable energy to our customers. Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for five consecutive years, we are proud of our team and our longstanding commitment to our customers and our communities. Learn more at irvingoil.com. 

For more information and for media inquiries:

Shannon Hunter
Director, Marketing and Communications
[email protected]  
506.349.5116

Candice MacLean
Corporate Communications, Irving Oil
[email protected] 
506.343.3026