Millions to build cancer centre money well spent

Cancer's not a big deal until it comes to your house.
When it hits you, a family member or a friend, it hurts.
Close to 20 years ago, I was successfully treated for an easy-to-cure cancer. Last year, I lost a best friend to this damned disease. And on Christmas day, cancer took the life of my 45-year old cousin.
Every summer throughout her childhood, Elaine Ransberry would join her parents and three siblings as they left their Montreal home and headed to Ontario to attend our family picnic. Elaine and her family always stayed at my house for the three-day weekend.
The arrival of the Quebec cousins was the highlight of the summer. 
About an hour before Elaine and the others were expected to arrive, my kids would gather on the front step. They'd almost burst with excitement.
One particular summer, our dog had given birth to six puppies. The moment the Quebec cousins arrived, my kids let the puppies loose. The one that squealed the loudest was Elaine — she will be remembered for always. 
A few days before Christmas, a provincial cabinet minister turned up in Newmarket to deliver good news on the cancer front.
The new Southlake Regional Health Centre cancer facility will be built "on time and as promised," was the message from Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman.
Construction of the cancer care centre is to begin next year and the multi-million dollar project will wrap up in 2009.
Some treated at the new facility will be cured. Some won't. The winners and the losers are unknown. One thing is certain: Having access to a nearby cancer treatment facility will mean a great deal to this community.
I don't know what it costs. I don't care what it cost. If the target is cancer, it'll be money well spent.