NEWS

Residents have said “yes, please,” to a CT Scanner Close to Home – Patients of the Middlesex Hospital Alliance Benefit From Fundraising Success: $2.5 Million CT Scanner Campaign Goal Reached!

Wait times for CT scans drastically reduced since arrival of new scanner

Outstanding community support along with significant corporate contributions have helped Four Counties Health Services (FCHS) Foundation and Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital (SMGH) Foundation to surpass their $2.5 million fundraising goal for a new CT Scanner. Both the public and business community generously responded to the appeal for new diagnostic imaging technology to serve patients.

Pictured Above: A patient gets ready to have a CT scan with the help of Tony Wales, Lead CT Technologist at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital.

“We are astounded at the response of residents in support of this important service. That definitely says that people absolutely want this service close to home,” said Campaign Co-Chair George Sinker.

“It's all a result of the community support from residents who came out and helped to raise funds. It's not easy to organize a campaign, the success can also be attributed to our excellent partnership with Four Counties Health Services Foundation.”

“It was the team that did it,” added Don Weekes, Campaign Co-Chair FCHS Foundation. “I am an enormous admirer of what has been accomplished in just over a year and a half and very proud of our success.”

Both Foundations would like to thank all volunteers and the CT scanner campaign teams from Newbury, Strathroy, and across the region for their efforts. Fundraisers helped by collecting donations from residents, community groups, corporate donors, and special events to raise money for the CT scanner.

“We are extremely grateful to the Foundations and the many residents, businesses and organizations who have supported the campaign that made possible the purchase of this important medical equipment,” said Yvonne Lambert, Past MHA Board Chair. “This generous support will improve patient care and directly benefit the community.”

All donations collected have funded much needed key resources to help the Middlesex Hospital Alliance to treat people, more quickly and more effectively. These resources include new digital mammography and ultrasound machines in addition to the CT scanner.

Patients using the MHA CT Scanner have already been directly benefiting from the funds raised by this campaign as the equipment was purchased and installed in May 2007. Over 5700 scans have since been performed. This service has dramatically reduced Wait Times in south-western Ontario with an average wait time of just 10 days for a CT scan – the lowest in the region while the provincial average wait time sits at 47 days.

 “We are delighted to have this opportunity to thank everyone for their support, but just because we have reached our $2.5 million goal, we aren't stopping our work,” said Marigay Wilkins, FCHS Foundation Board Chair. “We still need everyone's help to keep fundraising for technology and emerging programs.”

Over the next few years, FCHS Foundation must raise $250,000 yearly, while SMGH Foundation must raise more than $1 million annually, in order to fully fund pressing new equipment and technological needs required to best support medical professionals at the Middlesex Hospital Alliance.

“Technology now changes at such a rapid pace that it will take all of us working together in order to ensure every medical advantage is available close to home,” says Lorna Campbell, newly elected Chair, SMGH Foundation. “The Hospital Alliance has an ambitious vision for the future and we need everyone's support to make that happen.”