MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Trillium Health Centre – one of Canada’s leading community hospitals – has officially opened its new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suite which houses its new, state-of-the-art MRI unit. For Canpar Transport L.P. president and CEO and Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) chairman John Cyopeck it was a dream come true.

Cyopeck was diagnosed with a brain tumour at Trillium in February. In April, he made a commitment to raise $1 million for the Health Centre through his “Delivering a Dream” campaign. The campaign included a golf fundraiser held in August that exceeded $1.3 million and was the largest event of its kind ever held in Canada’s trucking industry. These funds supported the construction of new facilities to house the new MRI unit. To honour his achievement, the waiting room in the suite has been dedicated to Cyopeck, with a plaque recognizing his contribution on the wall.

“I feel compelled to give back to Trillium, and to assist those who, like me, are directly affected by stressful and life-threatening delays in receiving lifesaving MRI treatments,” Cyopeck said.

Among those attending the opening ceremony were Ontario Transport Minister Harinder Takhar, several prominent members of Canada’s trucking community who contributed their time and money to the fundraising initiative, as well as his daughters and wife Maureen, all of whom Cyopeck made a point of acknowledging. “I couldn’t have done this without your support,” he said.

“John Cyopeck’s contribution is remarkable. He generously and selflessly donated time and money, and rallied the trucking industry across Canada to help bring this new equipment to our community,” said Ken White, president and CEO, Trillium Health Centre.

The new MRI will be more efficient than the previous unit and will deliver an additional 1,200 new scans per year for a total of 7,700 scans. The purchase of the MRI was generously supported by the Government of Ontario under the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Bulk Purchasing Initiative.

“Trillium Health Centre’s priority is patient-centred care,” said Chris Power, vice-president of patient services at Trillium Health Centre. “The arrival of our new MRI machine will greatly increase our ability to meet the needs of our patients. By providing timely and easy access to important diagnostic procedures such as MRI exams, we will be able to improve patient care and reduce wait times.”

John Cyopeck’s contribution to the community is just one among many he’s made over the years, pointed out CTA CEO David Bradley.

“Your own personal battle with cancer has been well-documented,” said Bradley, who was clearly moved by the occasion. “But even if you didn’t have cancer, the trucking industry would still be here to help you, because you are truly an exceptional man. You say you have been blessed to have such friends in the industry, but in truth, we are the ones who are blessed, by having you one of your leaders.”