Strong community support pays for $750,000 equipment at Picton hospital

Dr. Matt Downey, Mary Clare Egberts, Fran Donaldson, Anna Marie Ferguson and Larry Matheson are all smiles celebrating the cutting of the ribbon signalling the official end of a year-long $750,000 campaign for digital mammography and ultrasound equipment at Picton hospital.

Nancy Westervelt, charge technologist, demonstrates the equipment for Catharine and Lanny Huff and Marg and Ben Prinzen.

The generosity of the community in donating $750,000 to fund digital mammography and ultrasound equipment was celebrated today at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.

The milestone marked the successful completion of the year-long fundraising campaign by the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation.

“We are truly blessed living in this generous community which ensures we have a vibrant hospital equipped with the best medical equipment possible,” said Anna Marie Ferguson, Executive Director of the PECMH Foundation. “Each and every gift we received over the past year made a difference.”

Foundation President Larry Matheson thanked the community.

Jeff Snider, of Wilkinson and Company joined the PEC District Women’s Institute members for a tour of the new mammography equipment.

“Thank you for supporting Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital as a vibrant community hospital,” he said. “Your donations ensure Prince Edward County residents have access to state-of-the-art ultrasound tests close-to-home and that breast screening services remain in Picton.”

He acknowledged the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary as lead supporters of the campaign, raising $250,000 – one third of the campaign goal. Auxiliary president Fran Donaldson was invited to cut the official opening ribbon.

The final four donations to top off the campaign were acknowledged with applause. Larry and Catharine Huff were thanked for a $10,000 contribution; Ben and Marg Prinzen for a $6,000 boost to the campaign; Wilkinson and Company for a $5,000 donation and the Prince Edward Women’s Institute for presenting $2,000.

Mary Clare Egberts, Quinte Health Care president and CEO applauded the tremendous work of the community in pulling together to make the campaign a success.

“I am blown away by the commitment the Foundation, Auxiliary and community have shown,” she said. “As the government does not pay for medical equipment, this support is essential.

Digital mammography images are now instantly available and stored electronically, making them accessible to any physician within QHC and the Prince Edward Family Health Team. The new ultrasound equipment means fewer patients need to travel to Belleville for ultrasound tests. The new technology provides superior images and because it is much faster, more examinations can be done.

QHC Trenton Memorial will continue to provide the Comprehensive Breast Assessment Centre for the entire region. Women and men who have an abnormal breast screening result in Picton will continue to be referred to QHC Trenton Memorial Hospital for further testing and services.

The Rotary Club of Picton also recently donated $5,000 toward the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s campaign for Digital Mammography equipment. The funds were raised at the Wilf Harrison Memorial Charity Golf Tournament in August. Pictured are: Larry Matheson, president of the PECMH Foundation, Anna Marie Ferguson, executive director of the PECMH Foundation, Rick Jones, vice president of the Rotary Club of Picton, Chris Skinner, chair of the golf committee and Kirsten Musgrove, president of the Rotary Club of Picton.