Poppy fund supports hospital equipment purchase

At the presentation, from left, are: Briar Boyce PECMH Foundation Senior Development Officer, Tom McCaw, Poppy Fund Chairperson, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 78, , Diane Kennedy President of Branch 78, Picton and Shannon Coull PECMH Foundation Executive Director.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation received $10,000 from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 78 Poppy Fund, in support of its campaign to replace the hospital’s aging digital mammography machine.

The new machine will cost $1M, of which $646K has been raised to date. The equipment provides clearer imaging, faster results, lower radiation exposure, and improved accuracy, all critical benefits for early breast cancer detection, said Shannon Coull, Executive Director of the PECMH Foundation.

“Early detection saves lives, and this generous gift from Royal Canadian Legion Branch 78 brings us one step closer to ensuring our community has access to the best possible breast screening technology.

Coull notes the Legion has been a steadfast supporter of the hospital for many years.

“We are deeply grateful for their continued commitment to the health and wellbeing of veterans, and all residents, of Prince Edward County.”

She adds the new mammography machine will replace equipment that is more than a decade old and will serve thousands of patients each year.

“Many of those patients are veterans, veterans’ spouses, and family members who rely on local access to high-quality diagnostic care.”

“The Poppy Fund exists to support veterans and their families, and that includes access to essential health care close to home,” said Tom McCaw, Poppy Fund Chairperson at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 78. “We are proud to support the hospital foundation and contribute to equipment that will make a real difference for people in our community.”

Since 2001, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 78 has provided more than $45K from 23 gifts, in support to the PECMH Foundation, helping fund critical medical equipment and services.

PECMHF’s Back the Build campaign is raising $30M in support of Quinte Health to help build and equip a new hospital to serve residents and visitors in Prince Edward County. For more information and to lend your support, visit www.pecmhf.ca/back-the-build.