Charity concert featuring Regina mayor’s band raises big money for cancer equipment

A benefit concert at the Conexus Arts Centre on Thursday night featuring Regina’s mayor as the drummer raised more than $1 million for new cancer equipment.

In total, Michael Fougere’s group, The Garage Band, raised $1,070,500 for the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan.

“It’s a remarkable testament to the people in Regina and Saskatchewan. They’re really caring and giving. This far surpasses what we ever thought we’d do when we started the band,” Fougere said.

The money will go toward a new imaging device called a 4D CT Simulator for the Allan Blair Cancer Centre.

Fougere said the inspiration for the band is Regina and District Chamber of Commerce CEO John Hopkins, who is fighting prostate cancer.

“His journey through cancer has really motivated the band to play and really captured the imagination and hearts of a lot of people,” he said.

The mayor said the sum was raised through many small donations.

However, Conexus Credit Union did pitch in $500,000 which will be split between Regina and Saskatoon.