Fresh off the heels of committing $4 million to the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen, local philanthropist John Pankiw has contributed $300,000 to Penticton hospital鈥檚 oncology clinic.

The South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation received the donation from Pankiw this week, as part of its $ 10 million campaign for the clinic.

鈥淛ohn Pankiw鈥檚 philanthropic vision not only uplifts the current healthcare landscape but also lays the foundation for a resilient and responsive healthcare system to meet the challenges posed by the rising cancer rates in our region,鈥� said Ian Lindsay, CEO of the SOS Medical Foundation.

Recent projections shared by the foundation suggest that one in four individuals across the region will experience cancer in their lifetime.

鈥淢r. Pankiw鈥檚 gift becomes even more vital in providing the necessary resources to enhance the new clinic and support systems for both patients and healthcare professionals, ensuring our community is well-equipped to provide the best cancer care, closer to home,鈥� a press release from the foundation added.

The gift mirrors Pankiw鈥檚 generosity in October 2015 when he donated $100,000 to help launch the Rotary Club of Penticton鈥檚 contribution to the SOS Medical Foundation鈥檚 $20-million campaign to provide medical equipment for the PRH expansion. He also is the name behind the Tree of Dreams 鈥� the 30 foot Christmas tree he gifted to the PRH rooftop in 2021 to show his admiration for the city鈥檚 regional hospital.