A spectacular and important event was held today at 2pm on the 7th floor of Princess Margaret. Premier McGuinty and Minister Smitherman announced a $15 million provincial fund for helping train more oncology nurses for Ontario over the next 5 years. Ivan de Souza spoke too as the knowledge transfer centre will be named in honour of Anna Maria de Souza, founder of the Brazilian Ball. I got to know Anna as a patient here at PMH. Sadly, Anna passed away from cancer but received excellent care, particularly from her nurses like Manny Martinez and Jan Stewart. The Brazilian Ball this year will raise funds for the nurses oncology centre. We are extremely grateful that Premier McGuinty has decided to support the Anna Maria de Souza Centre in such a significant way. This support, added to the sold out Brazilian Ball, will ensure the biggest fund raising success ever for the Brazilian Ball. I was very proud to be acknowledged by Ivan in his comments for my contribution to the team effort in getting this important new centre up and funded. Nurses truly are the “angels of cancer care” and should be recognized and supported in important ways. To all the nurses who look after cancer patients in Ontario, this is a good day. To all of those citizens of Ontario who hear those three words “you have cancer”, you can be grateful to our Premier who showed such leadership today. To Anna Maria de Souza, you are always with us Anna. Thanks Ivan, thanks Premier McGuinty, thanks Minister Smitherman, thanks Manny, thanks Jan, thanks to all the nurses who do so much for so many! A GREAT day today!