Dr Chad Williams is leading the charge as the team captain of our Dartmouth General Lead On Climbers. A team of DGH doctors, foundation staff, and community leaders who are dedicated to helping patients with colorectal cancer and raising awareness for colon cancer prevention. From raising funds to purchase vital endoscopy equipment, to performing life-saving procedures, our team is supporting patients every step of the way through Nova Scotia’s world-class colorectal cancer screen program.

For almost 50 years, Dartmouth General Hospital has been quietly leading the way in innovative care and practices. Most recently, Dartmouth General has become a provincial and national leader in using robotics and artificial intelligence to improve orthopedic surgeries outcomes and advance colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis.

Funds raised through the 2020 and 2021 events were used to outfit the third endoscopy suite at DGH. In 2022 GUT events were used to purchase artificial intelligence technology (GI Genius) for the Dartmouth General Hospital. This technology improves screening success by identifying polyps and pre-cancerous patterns in the colon that may go unrecognized by the naked eye. The Dartmouth General Hospital was the first hospital in Canada to have this innovative technology. Early indications show a 10-12% increase in polyp identification through the GI Genius technology. Funds raised through GUT have allowed the Dartmouth General Hospital to open a 3rd Endoscopy Suite which is being used exclusively for screening FIT-positive patients. Prior to the November 2022 opening of this suite, DGH only had the physical capacity to screen FIT-positive patients 6 days per month. With the opening of the 3rd Endoscopy Suite, we are screening 4-6 patients per day.

This year, our goal is to raise awareness. Each year, 175,000 Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) tests are mailed to Nova Scotians between the ages of 50 – 74. Only 34% of these are completed and returned. An average of 15% of FIT tests completed each year come back with a positive result. Of these, an average of 4% will have a malignancy (cancer). The other 96% will almost always have polyps – some harmless and some considered pre-cancerous.

Imagine how many lives could be saved if we could double the number of FIT tests completed by Nova Scotians each year. Lead on with us by joining or supporting our team at GUT 2023!

Silent Auction: https://www.32auctions.com/getupthere2023

50/50: https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/dghfgetupthere