MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release
November 13, 2026

33rd Annual Light Up a Life Campaign Launches Across Northumberland

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY – Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) Foundation’s 33rd annual Light Up a Life fundraising campaign launches this week, with appeal letters set to soon hit mailboxes across the region. Funds raised this year will support key investments to be made in NHH’s breast health care services.

Serving as Chair of this year’s campaign is NHH’s Chief of the Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Lead of Breast/Women’s Imaging, Dr. Sepideh Karkhanechi. More than 3000 letters will soon be received by those across the Northumberland community and beyond, sharing an appeal from Dr. Karkhanechi along with the story of patient, Julia Duguay, whose firsthand experience at NHH inspired her to reach out and pledge her support to help modernize breast health technology.

“New technologies and approaches are helping us detect breast cancer earlier, improve detection in dense breast tissue, and make the patient experience more comfortable,” shares Dr. Karkhanechi. “We are at a pivotal moment, with an opportunity to build on the progress seen in breast health care to modernize our program.

Key equipment investments set to be made in the coming year include a 3D mammography unit with contrast capabilities, a new ultrasound unit, and a bone mineral density scanner. In addition, wire-free breast tissue localization technology recently trialed at NHH has now been introduced as the permanent technology used for patients with nonpalpable breast tumours.

“Whether identified through routine screening or diagnostic imaging following a breast change, early detection is crucial,” continues Karkhanechi. “Modern equipment and technology are essential to find breast cancer before it can be felt by hand, which often means tumours are smaller and less likely to have spread to regional lymph nodes or distant organs of the body.”

Funds raised through this year’s Light Up a Life campaign will help support investments for earlier diagnosis, improved patient comfort, and better outcomes for patients and families facing breast cancer.

Since Light Up a Life’s inception, more than $4.8 million has been raised to fund medical equipment and technology at NHH.

In addition to campaign appeal letters and digital communications highlighting the need for modernizing breast health care, one third party fundraiser has returned in support of this campaign:

· JJ’s Steak & Burgers in Cobourg is hosting a Christmas Tree Raffle throughout the month of November. Those interested in the chance to win a one-of-a-kind fully decorated Christmas tree can drop by the restaurant, located at 8 Elgin St. E, Cobourg, ON between November 1 and November 30, 2026 to purchase tickets (priced at five dollars each or three for ten dollars).

Those interested in learning more about the Light Up a Life campaign are invited to visit NHH Foundation’s website at www.NHHFoundation.ca/Light-Up-a-Life.