‘Lemon-aid’ will help the County’s hospital get a new x-ray machine

Parker and his family thank all the people who stopped by and supported his lemonade stand. Pictured, from left, are: Liv and Parker Wilkinson along with their good friend, Remy Cote, who helped out during the day.

For most kids, running a lemonade stand means earning some loose change to spend at the neighbourhood ice cream shop. But that’s not the case for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s newest volunteer fundraiser.

Parker Wilkinson, 10, along with his seven-year-old sister Liv, hosted a lemonade stand, raising money to help the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation purchase a new x-ray machine.

With help from their parents, Parker and Liv set up the stand outside of their Bloomfield home Wednesday, Aug. 24. The young entrepreneurs spent four hours selling summer’s most refreshing beverage and contributed $100 rom their earnings toward the x-ray machine. This is the second year Parker has hosted his lemonade stand. In 2021, he donated a portion of his proceeds to the Loyalist Humane Society.

“We are so proud of the philanthropic zest Parker and Liv have demonstrated, giving back to our hospital and community,” said Briar Boyce, senior development officer with the PECMH Foundation. “Whether it was a couple of dollars or a larger bill donated for a glass of lemonade, it all helps support the Foundation get closer to our goal of bringing this new diagnostic imaging equipment into our hospital.”

Last year, more than 8,800 x-ray images were taken at the County’s hospital. Purchased in 2008, the current machine is past its recommended lifespan. The image quality is diminishing and parts are becoming difficult to source.

The new equipment will allow Medical Radiation Technologists (MRT) to image all parts of the body – chests, spines, extremities (i.e. wrists, ankles, etc.) and abdomens. It will also allow technologists the ability to provide the quality of images required for orthopedic surgeons in preparation for a patient undergoing a hip or knee replacement.