TORONTO – October 23, 2020 – Nuclear Science Week (NSW), which takes place October 19-23 this year, invites people from around the globe to “Get to Know Nuclear” and participate in a celebration that advances education, stimulates participation and generates communication that provides insight and visibility for the achievements of the nuclear sciences.
NSW explores what it means to “Think Clean. Think Solutions. Think Nuclear” by focusing on five pillars of nuclear science: Carbon-Free Energy, Global Leadership, Transformative Health Care, Innovation & Technology, and Space Exploration.
“Historically the nuclear sector has not been the best at touting its accomplishments, especially when we have so much to be proud of,” said James Scongack, Chair of the Canadian Nuclear Isotopes Council. “Clean nuclear power enabled Ontario to phase out of coal. Every day, nuclear innovation is creating new opportunities for future decarbonization through next-generation technologies, and for years has been a crucial contributor to transformative health care which provides the medical isotopes needed to help keep hospitals clean and keep patients safe.
“Nuclear Science Week provides a critical opportunity to focus on and educate those around the world about the role nuclear plays in all sectors of the economy. With transformative health care as one of the key pillars of NSW, the CNIC is a proud supporter and believes in the importance of the nuclear sector standing up and highlighting its many accomplishments.”
Medical isotope production represents one of the key ways in which nuclear science positively impacts Canadians, providing transformative and alternative cancer treatments while also generating clear economic and societal benefits. The clearest and widest-reaching benefits come from the enabling of life-saving medical treatments by providing medical isotopes for patient use.
“What NSW delivers is a week-long focus on local, regional, national and international interest of all aspects of nuclear science,” said Andrew Thiele, Director of the CNIC. “Canada has existing core infrastructure investments at Bruce Power (reactor based), Chalk River (waste handling and disposal), and TRIUMF (accelerator based) to continue its leadership in all aspects of nuclear science.
“Simply put, the Canadian nuclear and medical infrastructure is ideal for performing fundamental and applied scientific research. Nuclear Science Week is an opportunity to further educate people about the accomplishments being delivered by nuclear science while looking ahead to what’s next.”
About The Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
The CNIC is a coalition of science, health care and nuclear sector organizations to ensure Canada remains a world leader in the production of life-saving isotopes by bringing awareness and supporting long-term policies at the domestic and international level that will save countless lives and support health-care innovation for decades to come. To learn more about the CNIC visit www.CanadianIsotopes.ca and follow us on, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
For more information, please contact:
Andrew Thiele
Strategist, Government and Stakeholder Relations – Corporate Affairs
Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
226.930.1869
canadianisotopes@gmail.com