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Auxiliary presents $50,000 to PECMH during donor recognition celebration

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation received a $50,000 contribution from the PECMH Auxiliary toward its $170,000 commitment to the Quinte Health Care Re-imagine Campaign to refurbish the region's MRI machine.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation received a $50,000 contribution from the PECMH Auxiliary toward its $170,000 commitment to the Quinte Health Care Re-imagine Campaign to refurbish the region’s MRI machine.

A donation of $50,000 from the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary highlighted the hospital foundation’s celebration of giving Thursday night at Picton hospital.

The funds go a long way to meeting the PECMH Foundation’s commitment of $170,000 to Quinte Health Care’s Re-Imagine Campaign to refurbish the region’s Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine.

Penny Rolinski, PECMH Foundation executive director, accepted the cheque from auxiliary vice-president Pat Evans, and other members in attendance at the celebration.

“The enduring and tireless support of the auxiliary for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital is inspiring,” said Rolinski. “Every year the auxiliary steps forward with a gift that makes it possible to replace critically-needed medical equipment, but this year’s gift to the MRI Campaign was exceptional.”

Quinte Health Care’s four hospitals joined forces at the end of September to raise more than $1 million needed to refurbish the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine located in Belleville. The MRI has reached the end of its lifespan and all the working parts, including the computer and software, but excluding the magnet, must be replaced.

The Re-Imagine Campaign was launched September 29 and is a co-operative effort between the Belleville General Hospital Foundation, the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation, North Hastings Fund Development Committee and the PECMHF.

The County hospital’s contribution of $170,000, just over 16 per cent of the cost, was based on a percentage of patients in each catchment area who use the MRI. Nearly 1,300 County residents used the service in Belleville last year.

“Access to an MRI is important to people here to have available and close,” Rolinski said, noting patients here have an average wait time of nine days while the provincial target some hospitals are trying to meet is 28 days.

“Medical equipment is expensive and has a short lifespan and unlike many medical costs, equipment is not funded by the government,” she said. “It is expected the community finances the replacement of medical equipment through the work of the hospital foundations.”

The auxiliary fundraising enterprises include the County Festival of Trees, Tag Day, Marathon Bridge, the coffee shop and cart and sales from the Second Time Around Shop on Picton’s Main Street.

Representing the administration of QHC were Mary Clare Egberts, president and CEO, and Doug McGregor, the new chair of the board, who lives in South Bay.

“We are continuously amazed of how much this small community does for its local hospital,” Egberts said. “The care by staff, the volunteering, all the effort, is stupendous. We are so appreciative of what you all do.”

Irena Camp by the PECMH donor wall, where she moved to Patron level honouring donations between $10,000 and $24,999.

Irena Camp by the PECMH donor wall, where she moved to Patron level honouring donations between $10,000 and $24,999.

The celebration evening also honoured the many individuals, corporations and community organizations that have been supporting ongoing fundraising efforts that fund priority medical equipment purchases at the County hospital.

Gifts from donors in the community are being used to purchase replacement equipment at PECMH through the Foundation’s current LIFE SAVER II Campaign, which includes colonoscopes, gastroscopes and upgrades in the Pharmacy Department at a cost of more than $200,000.

The foundation revealed an updated donor wall located just outside the reception area that celebrates new donors and those who have moved up a giving level. Eleven were unveiled on the physical wall and 46 names were added to the screen for a total of 57 additions.

The Stark Family Fund, administered by the Community Foundation for Kingston and Area, upgraded its giving level from Founder to Grand Patron level for cumulative gifts now totalling $104,550. The Wellings of Picton and Parkside Landscaping made a first time appearance on the wall alongside a plaque placed in memory of Bruce Scott, former CEO of PECMH from 1977 to 1984, by his family.

“This unveiling ceremony is an event that honours generous contributions,” said Monica Alyea, chairperson of the PECMH Foundation. “This is also a celebration of the accomplishment of a community that works together to respond to the needs of our doctors, nurses and technologists for state-of-the-art equipment close to home in Prince Edward County.”

The wall pays homage to the geographic beauty of the County, designed to be a lasting way to say thank you to all donors who have given $5,000 or more. Donors who have cumulatively given between $1,000 and $4,999 since 1999 are recognized on an LED screen built into the wall.

Plaques may be made in the names of individuals, families, service organizations or companies.

“Some donations come in 10 and 20 dollar amounts because that’s what people can collect. Others in hundreds and thousands. Every donation of any amount counts,” said Alyea. “We all have a profound connection and emotional attachment to this hospital and so many are always willing and ready to give when the call goes out for help. We are extremely grateful.”

To make a donation, contact Penny Rolinski PECMHF executive director at 613-476-1008 ext. 4503 or email penny@pecmhf.ca or visit
www.pecmhf.ca

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  1. hockeynan says:

    Thanks to all these people who donate there time.Much appreciated

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