"Ever since Health Minister Elizabeth Marshall made the announcement to put the cancer clinic on hold, I have been working hard to garner support," said Ms. Thistle. "I have written area PC MHAs Ray Hunter, Hon. Tom Rideout and Hon. Paul Shelley to seek their support.

"Cancer patients in this region deserve top quality service as good as anywhere in Canada. It is time for local MHAs to join the fight to ensure that Minister Marshall and Minister Sullivan recognize the need in this region."

The Liberal MHA is concerned that if PC members fail to make the case for the cancer clinic, cabinet will choose to overlook the area for funding.

"We have two PC cabinet representatives and Mr. Hunter who must put forth this argument before it is too late. It is essential that funding for this clinic is included in the budget and I ask area MHAs to join with me in presenting the case. This is not a political issue and I assure the members that my only motive is to provide first-rate health care to cancer survivors in central Newfoundland."