The Anita Couchie Memorial Charity Golf Tournament raised nearly $10,000 on July 12 to support cancer care at North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC).
Brian Couchie hosted the tournament at Laurentide Golf Course in Sturgeon Falls, but received the check in late August.
“On New Year’s Eve in 2013, my wife Anita was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma,” Couchie said.
“It is a cancer that forms in plasma cells. While fighting this disease, Anita never complained. The nurses and support staff in the Chemotherapy Unit made it as pleasant as possible.”
Couchie created the event to thank the healthcare workers who supported his wife. Each year, more than 1,200 people in the region are diagnosed with cancer, and many face difficult treatment journeys. Early diagnosis remains key to improving outcomes.
NBRHC provides comprehensive care, including lab tests, MRI, CT, and SPECT/CT scans, chemotherapy, surgery, pain management, rehabilitation, and end-of-life care. In addition, it houses the second-largest Chemotherapy Unit in northeast Ontario. Last year, the unit managed nearly 4,000 appointments and administered almost 2,900 chemotherapy treatments.
Proceeds from the tournament are funding advanced AI imaging software for mammography. The technology uses artificial intelligence to detect and mark breast lesions, assess breast density, and improve diagnostic sensitivity. Furthermore, it gives clinicians new tools for early detection and more accurate diagnosis.
Community support played a central role in the tournament’s success. Donations honour Anita Couchie’s memory while strengthening cancer care services for local patients. Additionally, the event highlighted the dedication of NBRHC staff, who provide care under challenging circumstances every day.
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Read more: Breath Diagnostics takes aim at lung cancer with One Breath
The war on cancer has many fronts
The memorial gold tournament is one example of a growing trend of fundraising initiatives from companies and organizations aimed at fighting cancer.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) drives the fight against cancer through fundraising, research, and community engagement.
Its flagship event, Relay For Life, marked 40 years in 2025, bringing communities together to raise money and support patients. The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign funds research, promotes early detection, and educates the public.
Students engage in Fund The Mission, a 72-hour fundraising challenge, while endurance athletes join DetermiNation events, running marathons and triathlons to support cancer research.
Furthermore, ACS awards grants that help researchers advance innovative studies, from early-career projects to large-scale collaborations. Additionally, the organization’s mobile fundraising app lets supporters donate and track contributions easily.
Breath Diagnostics, based in Louisville, Kentucky, is advancing early lung cancer detection with its patented OneBreath technology. The non-invasive system analyzes a single exhaled breath to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with lung cancer.
The process also captures these compounds using a proprietary microreactor and analyzes them through ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). Clinical trials have shown that OneBreath achieves 94 per cent sensitivity and 85 per cent specificity, outperforming traditional CT scans and reducing false positives.
In 2025, Breath Diagnostics launched a Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) campaign, offering shares to raise $3 million. This initiative allows non-accredited investors to support the company’s mission of revolutionizing lung cancer screening. The funds will help expand clinical validation and facilitate broader adoption of OneBreath, making early detection more accessible and cost-effective. By combining cutting-edge technology with community investment, Breath Diagnostics aims to transform lung cancer diagnosis and improve patient outcomes nationwide.
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joseph@mugglehead.com
