London couple makes historic $5M donation for paediatric cancer care at Children’s Hospital

A local couple’s historic $5 million donation to London’s Children’s Hospital will have an immediate impact on paediatric cancer care in the London region, including through the acquisition of three new ultrasound machines, officials with Children’s Health Foundation say.

The donation, made by Dieter and Lyse Jahnke, is the largest in the hospital’s history, and will go toward the establishment of the Jahnke Family Paediatric Oncology Centre of Excellence. The donation was unveiled on Monday during an announcement held in the atrium of Children’s Hospital.

“The impact of this is huge,” said Scott Fortnum, president and CEO of Children’s Health Foundation. 

“With this $5 million, directed specifically to pediatric oncology, we’re immediately purchasing a number of pieces of equipment that the team has been wanting and needing, looking at a reimagining of the space and how patient flow works.”

Nearly all of Children’s Hospital’s equipment is purchased with funding from the foundation. The hospital has treated thousands of children with cancer over the last several decades, and has 150 children currently under active therapy, with more than 300 monitored through the hospital’s aftercare program.

Dieter immigrated to Canada in the 1960s and, with his wife, built a successful technology business, according to the foundation. Dieter is listed as president of OE Canada Inc., which deals with office equipment and document workflow solutions.

The gift, Lyse said, came from a desire to give and help others – an example set by her mother, and one she hoped would continue through their donation.

“I often ask people in life, what’s important to you?… The one I like the most is make a difference in people’s lives. It’s so easy. It’s so rewarding,” she said.

“To keep a lamp burning, we need to keep putting oil in it,” she said, quoting Mother Teresa. “We’ve started, and hopefully others will follow… What is very important is to influence our children and grandchildren to think in that route.”

Hospital officials said in a statement that the new Jahnke centre would “enhance and integrate all aspects of cancer care” at the hospital, and modernize and help “meet and exceed the evolving practice of oncology care.” It’s because of donations like the Jahnke’s that childhood cancer survivor rates have risen above 80 per cent, they said.

“Truthfully, space is an issue. Our program has grown tremendously in the 40 years of our program, the complexity of care that kids with cancer require has also changed,” said Dr. Alexandra Zorzi, division chair for paediatric haematology and oncology.

During her speech, Zorzi became emotional as she thanked Dieter and Lyse for their donation, which she said would help current patients and families, and “those we have yet to meet.” 

Asked about it afterwards, Zorzi said she had thought about the children she had treated who didn’t survive their cancer journey. “The journey of a childhood cancer patient is a difficult one, and it’s difficult not to be impacted on an emotional basis,” she said.

“Looking to the crowd and seeing Pepper and Stella, our survivors… I think everything we do needs to be grounded in that patient’s journey.”

Two young patients, Pepper Ottaway and Stella Stenning, attended the announcement with their families. 

Stenning presented the Jahnkes with a piece of artwork that was held up for all to see. Before leaving, she turned toward the couple and formed a heart sign with her fingers.