Art auction raises $375,000 toward CT scanner for County’s new hospital

Administrator | Jun 18, 2024 | Comments 0

On the future site of the new hospital were representatives from galleries that curated the works, Anne House owner of Mad Dog Gallery; Wendy Reid, PECMHF board member; Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson; Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation; Carlyn Moulton, owner of Oeno Gallery; Dana Charles from Oeno Gallery; David Hatch, owner of Hatch Gallery and Jim Turner, owner of 2gallery. Bid for the Build was also made possible through sponsors, including RBC Wealth Management and Dominion Securities, CIBC Private Wealth and HDR Architecture Associates. – Briar Boyce photo

Tallies are in and support for the County’s new hospital is framed at $375,000 raised at the Bid for the Build fundraising art auction earlier this month. The high-energy evening June 1 raised funds toward the County’s first CT (computerized tomography) scanner to be installed in the new hospital.

The event drew approximately 300 people and featured silent and live auctions with more than 80 works by Canadian artists, many local to the region, displayed.

When guest auctioneer Julie Riches’s hammer dropped on the last lot, the hospital foundation event had raised $75,550 from the 30 lots in the live auction and $34,975 from the silent auction.

The event closed with a special lot asking participants to consider a cash donation that would be matched by the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary up to $100,000.

In about 10 minutes, 38 people enthusiastically raised their paddles, raising an additional $141,900 for the CT Scanner. Sponsorships and ticket sales made up the balance.

“We are thrilled with the incredible generosity of our supporters and the community,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “Bringing a CT scanner to our new hospital will be a first in our County’s history and a new service available in our new hospital. In 2022, patients from Prince Edward County were referred to other regional hospitals for CT scans over 2,100 times. Access to these leading-edge technologies will revolutionize local healthcare options for our neighbours, friends, and families.”

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital.