At Humber, “Healthcare Lives” is more than a slogan; it’s a commitment to delivering cutting-edge, compassionate care. As Bruno’s daughter Angela states, “My dad is here because of this program.”

Bruno’s journey with Humber River Health began unexpectedly last March, when a suspected ulcer revealed a far more serious diagnosis – stomach cancer. This shocking discovery left Bruno and his family reeling, as they suddenly found themselves in need of urgent specialized care.

Fortunately, Bruno’s wife Cathy was no stranger to Humber. She had been treated for breast cancer by Dr. Laura Whiteacre and, during a follow-up appointment, shared her husband’s diagnosis. Dr. Whiteacre immediately connected the family with Dr. Lazar Klein, lead surgeon of Humber’s Robotics Surgery Program, and Dr. Sabrina Allegro, one of Humber’s top Oncologists. Within days, Bruno and the family met with the team, and together, they crafted a comprehensive treatment plan that would include both robotic surgery and chemotherapy.

Bruno’s daughter, Angela, recalls that first meeting with the care team, “From the start, we felt confident and reassured. The way they explained every step, we felt like we were in good hands.” Dr. Klein and Dr. Allegro’s expertise and compassion instantly put the family at ease, allowing them to focus on Bruno’s recovery. Outside the exceptional care provided by his doctors, every interaction the family experienced at Humber was incredibly positive. Whether it was scheduling prompt appointments or swiftly returning calls and messages, the commitment to patient care was evident at every step. The family was particularly impressed with the dedication and kindness of Debbie Tripodi and Elizabeth Caputo, who left a lasting impression.

Dr. Klein (right) successfully removed 26 lymph nodes from Bruno’s stomach; significantly more than what would have been possible in a traditional procedure.

The team moved swiftly, coordinating consultations, chemotherapy sessions, and surgery. “With the type of cancer he had, he was so incredibly lucky it was caught early,” shares Angela, “He was very fortunate that things moved so quickly and efficiently. It moved like clockwork. He commenced chemotherapy treatment, three weeks from the date of his diagnosis.”

A key component of Bruno’s treatment was access to the da Vinci Xi. Serving as the centerpiece of the Murphy and Helen Hull Robotics Centre, the da Vinci Xi is a state-of-the-art, surgeon-guided robot that offers greater accuracy and faster recovery times.

“Robotic surgery is next step in advanced minimally invasive surgical oncology,” Dr. Klein explains. “It increases the surgeon’s ability to complete the most difficult cancer operations in the most difficult anatomic locations. This is vitally important as we use the enhanced robotic optics and remarkable precision to give our patients the best possible chance of permanent cure while avoiding damage to nearby vital structures.”

Dr. Klein successfully removed 26 lymph nodes from Bruno’s stomach; significantly more than what would have been possible in a traditional procedure. “Of the 26 lymph nodes removed, the cancer was only found in the first regional 3 lymph nodes,” Angela recalls, notably relieved. “The rest were all clear, which goes to show the importance of quick and prompt diagnosis and treatment.”

Angela describes how invaluable the robotic surgery was for her father, saying, “It is a life-saving surgery.” The result was nothing short of miraculous, as Bruno was cleared to return home just 3 days post-surgery.

“I have more time to be a grandfather and to be a father, and that wouldn’t be possible without this surgery,” says Bruno.

Humber’s Robotics Surgery Program, which was essential for Bruno’s treatment, is primarily donor-funded. Grateful for the program that saved Bruno’s life, the family is determined to spread the word, “None of us were even aware of this robotic surgery,” Cathy said, emphasizing, “It’s so important for people to know it exists.”

Today, Bruno’s scans are clear and he’s completed his last round of chemotherapy, just in time to celebrate his and Cathy’s 45^th wedding anniversary. Reflecting on his journey, Bruno shares his gratitude, “I have more time to be a grandfather and to be a father, and that wouldn’t be possible without this surgery.”

At Humber, “Healthcare Lives” is more than a slogan; it’s a commitment to delivering cutting-edge, compassionate care. Bruno’s story exemplifies the extraordinary impact of donor support, which enables Humber to offer this life-saving surgery. As Angela states, “My dad is here because of this program.”

Expanding Robotic Surgery: da Vinci Xi Surgical Robot

Humber River Health is at the forefront of surgical innovation in Canada and with donor support, our Robotic Surgery Program can continue to make a difference. To learn more, please contact Daniela Campoli at dcampoli@hrh.ca.