Wellington Rotary pledges to help finish purchase of ventilator for hospital patients

Pictured at PECMH from left, back row, are: Roger Tessier, president-elect for the Rotary Club of Wellington with Barbara McConnell, chairperson of the PECMH Foundation; Phyo Kyi, chairperson of the Rotary Club of Wellington Charitable Foundation; Sally Cowan, Back the Build campaign cabinet member. Front row from left: Yvonne Buys, treasurer, Rotary Club of Wellington; Shannon Coull, executive director, PECMHF; and Lyn McGowan, president of the Rotary Club of Wellington. – Trudy Brown photo

In another act of benevolence for the County’s hospital, the Rotary Club of Wellington has entered into a commitment with the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) to fund the balance of the purchase of a transport ventilator needed in the emergency department.

Last June, the foundation received partial funding from the Stark Family Fund to purchase one ventilator. Wellington Rotary promises to fund the balance – approximately $22,000 – of the cost of a new ventilator, estimated to be more than $56,000.

Wellington Rotary representatives presented the foundation with an initial installment of $16,040 toward the ventilator – funds raised over the past year through the club’s bottle recycling depot and the sale of Rotary-branded maple syrup.

The club is also hosting the electronic recycling event Sunday, Jan. 21 at the Picton Home Hardware. Recycling of unwanted electronic equipment (computers, televisions, printers, etc.,) is free of charge, but donations are welcome.

A ventilator is a machine that breathes for, or assists a person to breathe if they cannot breathe alone. They are often used in life support situations. Many medical conditions, such as pneumonia, COPD, brain injuries and strokes, require the use of a ventilator.

“The foundation raises funds so our hospital can purchase essential equipment not covered by provincial health care funding. Having the right technology improves diagnosis and length of treatments, giving our care champions the tools they need to save lives,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “Without community fundraising, our hospital would not have the financial means to purchase devices like this transport ventilator. We thank the Rotary Club of Wellington for their steadfast leadership, supporting our ongoing priority equipment needs and investing in our new hospital.”

“I speak on behalf of all Wellington Rotary members, saying that the community rallies behind our County hospital,” said Lyn McGowan, president of the Rotary Club of Wellington. “Wellington Rotary remains committed to keeping our hospital well-equipped for everyone in our community.”

This standard equipment across Quinte Health improves patient care as medical professionals are trained on the same model used at all four hospitals.

“Having this transport ventilator allows Quinte Health’s staff timely access to equipment, particularly when a patient requires ventilation right away,” said Lisa Mowbray, hospital site lead and manager of patient services at PECMH. “These ventilators support all patient populations, from neonates to adults. No matter where the patient is or where they need to go, the ventilator will stay by their side, providing continuous support in the emergency department or any transport situation in or outside the hospital.”

Last year, Wellington Rotarians raised $26,008 to purchase an Echocardiogram (ECG) Machine needed in the emergency department at Picton. In 2022, Rotary funded an Automated Endoscope Reprocessor (AER) for sterilizing colonoscopes and gastroscopes at $30,500. With that and the $409,500 raised for the Back the Build campaign for the new hospital, Wellington Rotary has raised over $560,000 for the County hospital over 12 years.

The Rotary Club of Wellington intends to continue to use donations from their bottle recycling depot toward the balance owed on the ventilator purchase.

The bottle depot is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and is located at the old mill on Second Street in Wellington. In addition, Wellington Rotary is again partnering with Nyman Farms to produce Rotary-branded maple syrup this spring, with sales proceeds going to support the ventilator purchase.

The club will celebrate its 22nd anniversary in 2024 with approximately 40 members recognized as enthusiastic community supporters.