A local insurer is donating $3 million to a charity that supports cancer patients and their families on the island.

A statement said Allshores’ donation to the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre will be given over three years and help to fund “key investments that will offer everyone in Bermuda access to comprehensive, high-quality cancer care without financial barriers”.

These investments include Bermuda’s first Positron Emission Tomography scanner, used to evaluate organs and detect cancer, a systemic therapy team to deliver chemotherapy and immunotherapy, a machine to expand radiation treatment and additional clinical space.

Abigail Clifford, Allshores group president and chief executive, said: “We are deeply committed to improving access to quality, effective cancer care for the people in Bermuda, and this is why we are announcing today one of our largest single community donations.

“This donation is about helping more people in Bermuda be diagnosed and treated close to home, with family and friends near by — that means less travel, cost and disruption, greater access for people whose insurance may not cover overseas care and eases pressure on healthcare costs.

“It’s also important that the centre never turns anyone away. A stronger cancer service for everyone is something we care deeply about and reflects our 30-year support of the Equal Access Fund through our annual breast cancer awareness walk.

“We’re proud to help the centre build a future in which more people in Bermuda can face cancer with confidence, dignity and hope.”

Chris Fosker, BCHC chief executive and medical director, said the donation will “help us expand access to high-quality cancer care and continue building services around the needs of patients and their families”.

He added that bringing a PET scanner to Bermuda “could mean around 300 patients each year no longer needing to travel overseas for appropriate PET imaging”.

Dr Fosker explained: “Just as importantly, local access will allow doctors to incorporate those results into treatment planning more quickly, supporting timely and co-ordinated care.

“There will always be some highly specialised treatments and surgeries that require overseas care, and strong international partnerships will remain important, but there is much more that we can provide here in Bermuda.

“Our goal is to bring together high-quality diagnostics, treatment and supportive care so that people facing cancer can receive more of the care they need close to home, surrounded by their families and support networks.”