An Osoyoos couple has made a meaningful gift of $100,000 towards expanding the oncology department at the Penticton Regional Hospital.

The donation from Herb and Pat Wycherley is an important one as the couple recently lost a close friend to cancer.

It is estimated that over the next 20 years, cancer rates will increase by 30 per cent due to the region鈥檚 demographics, according to the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation.

The foundation has been working to raise $10 million towards expanding the oncology department so that residents in the South Okanagan can get the treatment they need close to home.

鈥淭he need for enhanced oncology services hits close to home for us, and we are honored to support the Oncology Campaign and contribute towards bringing cancer care closer to our community,鈥� said the Wycherleys. 鈥淲e encourage fellow community members to join us in supporting this cause.鈥�

The recent donation is the Wycherleys鈥� second gift to the SOS Medical Foundation since their generous donation to the South Okanagan General Hospital in 2019.

The SOS Medical Foundation said it was grateful for the gift.

Renovation work on the oncology department is soon set to begin, with construction currently expected to finish in May 2025 before patients can start to get service in June of 2025.

For more information about the Oncology Campaign or to contribute, people can visit