Increasing diagnostic options for Islanders
MANITOULIN—The three-year fundraising campaign for radiology equipment at Manitoulin Health Centre is rapidly approaching the finish line but there is a distinct possibility that the ‘finish line’ may be extended if donations continue to be received by the hospital, translating into its ability to upgrade its equipment purchase plans.
Donations received over the summer months, coupled with a growing interest from area businesses and individuals, have created the possibility that the campaign may indeed meet or even surpass the original goal of $650,000 if interest can be turned into additional donations. But time is running out, according to CEO Derek Graham.
Some of the possible options that could be realized by surpassing the goal would be additional specialized ultrasound probes for harder to image tissues, software enhancement packages which would add features like three-dimensional renderings, extended service warranties, bone density scanning or more sensitive ECG capabilities. “Although we will continue to run the campaign until the end of 2012, we are running out of time from a decision-making perspective, so I would encourage those who’ve been looking at coming on board to please link with us. Having the chance to surpass the original goal will open some very exciting doors for patient care at MHC,” Mr. Graham said this week.
“What’s needed now is to take the interest and momentum we’ve generated across the region and turn this into gifts in-hand,” said Mr. Graham. “We have a number of irons in the fire, and some of them could be huge for the effort, but until we successfully see some of these through, they remain only what-ifs. There are a number of corporations and individuals that have not yet contributed to the campaign, but who have expressed a real desire to join with the existing group of generous patrons that we’ve already assembled to help push this effort over the top—so the time for the final drive is now.”
MHC is already deep into the process of investigating the equipment and must soon decide on what to buy. “Whatever cash we have on-hand will drive our decisions. There is an opportunity not only to purchase the core of what’s required, two X-ray and two ultrasound machines (one set for each of the hospitals in Mindemoya and Little Current), but to look beyond this and bring in some of the additional clinical tools and features we’ve identified through our investigation phase, if we can indeed break through our original goal,” said Mr. Graham.
Donations can be made in person at either hospital admitting department, by phone to 705-368-2300, ext. 2506 or 2508 and speaking with either Derek Graham or Lori Mastelko; or by mail: Manitoulin Health Centre Fundraising, c/o Derek Graham, Box 640, Little Current, Ontario P0P 1K0 (Cheques should be made out to “MHC Radiology Campaign”).
