Indigenous Health Golf Benefit in Sudbury supporting community on the green and in health

By Laura E. Young

SUDBURY – Wouldn’t a slow, sunny stretch into Fall be lovely? That would be a definite yes for most of us, but especially for the committee organizing the second annual Indigenous Health Golf Benefit this fall in Sudbury.

Registration and sponsorship opportunities are open for the tournament in support of Indigenous health at the Shirley and Jim Fielding Northeast Cancer Centre at Health Sciences North (HSN), Sudbury’s regional hospital.

The shotgun-style tournament will be held at 12:30 p.m. on September 24 at Timberwolf Golf Course in Sudbury.

In 2025, the benefit’s first year, 18 teams of four players raised $20,000 to support Indigenous patients who are receiving cancer care at HSN. This year, they hope to at least match that amount.

All proceeds will support the Indigenous Cancer Patient Discretionary Fund at the Cancer Centre. The fund helps ease the financial barriers associated with accessing timely cancer care. Specifically, the funds support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis patients in northeastern Ontario when existing programs don’t cover the costs of their cancer journey.

“For many Indigenous patients, a cancer diagnosis comes with challenges that extend beyond medical treatment,” says Valerie Ross, Director of Indigenous Health at HSN. “The generosity of our community helps ensure patients do not have to choose between accessing cancer care and meeting basic needs for themselves and their families. This fund provides hope, dignity, and practical support when patients need it most.”

In 2025, they chose a golf tournament as a fundraiser after seeing the success of other golf events.

“There are a lot of golfers out there — we thought we’d give it a try. Last year was a success,” says Miranda Carey, Indigenous Patient Navigator of Indigenous Health at the Cancer Centre.

“Miranda’s exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to Indigenous patients is what inspired her to host the golf benefit. She saw an opportunity to make a difference, turned that vision into reality, and continues to go above and beyond for every patient and family she serves,” Ross says. “We invite more communities, organizations, and businesses to join us this year as we continue making a meaningful difference together.”

For Carey, funding allows HSN “to respond to each patient’s unique circumstances and provide assistance that goes beyond what traditional programs can offer. Whether it is helping with practical needs or reducing financial stress, this support allows patients to focus on their health, their healing, and their journey through cancer care.”

She has seen firsthand how the fund helps patients.

“Seeing our community rally around this event has been incredibly meaningful, and I’m excited to welcome even more teams and partners this year,” Carey says.

Overall, Indigenous people represent 13.7 per cent of the region’s population, according to HSN figures.

The Cancer Centre supports a geographical area covering Wawa in the west, north to the James Bay coast, east to Mattawa, and south towards Parry Sound.

Registration or other questions can be addressed by emailing indigenoushealth@hsnsudbury.ca or calling 705-523-7100, ext. 2629.