Hospital auxiliary adds another $50,000 to MRI campaign

Fran Donaldson, left, vice-chair of the hospital foundation, received the $50,000 donation from (left at back): Art Hewer, vice-president of the Auxiliary, Pam Strachan, Jack Starkey and Ann White and from (left at front): Eugenia Venchiarutti, Andre Gratton, Cathy Starkey and Pat Evans, president of the PECMH Auxiliary.

Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary members presented Fran Donaldson, vice-chairperson of the PECMH Foundation, with a second contribution to the Re-Imagine Campaign for the upgrade of the regional MRI machine Wednesday.

The Auxiliary presented the Foundation with $50,000 which brings their total contribution to the vital piece of diagnostic imaging equipment to $100,000.

In October of 2016, the PECMH Foundation, in partnership with the Belleville General Hospital Foundation, the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation and North Hastings Fund Development Committee embarked on a $1 million dollar campaign to refurbish the MRI machine located in Belleville. The machine had reached the end of its lifespan and all the working parts, excluding the magnet, needed to be replaced.

The PECMH Foundation was charged with fundraising for $170,000 or 16.79 per cent of the $1 million dollar goal. With the Auxiliary’s gift, and contributions from the community, the Foundation is just about $13,000 away from reaching its goal.

“Nearly 1,300 County residents benefit every year from the MRI machine located at Belleville General Hospital, so we are pleased to partner with the Auxiliary and all of our donors to keep this vital piece of equipment available for our patients close to home,” said Penny Rolinski, executive director of the PECMHF. “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 Foundation is on the home stretch. Contributions to the Re-Imagine Campaign can be made by contacting Briar Boyce at 613-476-1008 ext. 4425 or briar@pecmhf.ca Alternatively, visit online at www.pecmhf.ca