The Royal University Hospital Foundation has announced a $1.2 million campaign to fund a neurosurgical robot and deep brain imaging guidance technology to help patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Dr. Michael Kelly, the Provincial Head of Surgery for the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the University of Saskatchewan, explains that this minimally invasive robotic system will enable surgeons to precisely map seizure locations deep within the brain, providing insights that were once impossible to obtain. He estimates about 12,000 in the province have epilepsy and from that number, about 30 per cent have drug-resistant epilepsy, so if they are candidates, this surgery could give them seizure control.

RUH neurosurgeon and USask College of Medicine graduate, Dr. Amit Persad is training in London, Ontario to be able to operate the robot.
He says patients who have had the surgery, some of them many years ago, tell him it has changed their lives. “They can drive again. They can work again. They fell less stigmatized walking out into society .I think the people of Saskatchewan who have epilepsy deserve to be able to go back to living a normal life, as much as we can give that to them.” Dr. Persad adds that there is no reason people with epilepsy in this province shouldn’t be able to access world-class care right here at home.

To help reach that $1.2 million goal, Saskatoon philanthropist Merlish Belsher and his family have pledged to match donations up to $600,000, so when you donate, your money is doubled. As well the Belsher family has promised an additional $100,000 to help move forward the neurosurgical robotic program at RUH. Donations can be made through the Royal University Hospital Foundation website or by calling 306-655-1984.