SACKVILLE, N.B. — It’s their most ambitious fundraising campaign to date, but members of the Sackville Memorial Hospital Foundation have little doubt the community will come through to help them reach their goal.
“The reason I’m so brave about standing here today is that I feel quite confident in asking the residents of Sackville and surrounding communities to help us provide the funding that will assist our doctors and professional staff to provide the best possible health care to our citizens,” said Pat Estabrooks, SMHF campaign chair, during a March 21 kick-off event.
This year’s campaign goal is set at $260,000, with funds to be invested in a mobile digital x-ray unit and a modern radiology table. Estabrooks said with more than 9,000 radiology exams performed at the Sackville hospital every year, this equipment will ensure the medical radiation technologists (MRTs) have the best and most up-to-date technology for the most accurate results.
“This project is going to be very exciting. Our department couldn’t be happier,” said Amanda Wilson, the regional director of diagnostic imaging for the Horizon Health Network.
Wilson said the equipment upgrade will be a huge advancement from the existing 2004 analog unit.
“Fifteen years is a long time for technology to have changed,” she said.
The new unit, which will allow for digital and instantaneous X-rays, will improve turn-around time and image quality. It will also allow the MRTs to take X-rays at bedside throughout the hospital when patients are too ill to have their procedure done at the medical imaging department.
“The procedure as a whole can be done much quicker and easier,” said Wilson.
The X-ray Vision that Delivers campaign, which was launched Thursday during a noon-hour event at the hospital, got off to a good start with the SMH auxiliary handing over a hefty $25,000 donation during the event.
Elaine Smith, chair of the hospital foundation, said while the fundraising goal is a lofty one, she knows how generous the entire community – including businesses, organizations and residents – can be when it comes to its support of local health care.
“We’re very confident this goal is going to be reached,” said Smith.
The campaign will include a direct mail out, canvassing, a staff campaign, and special fundraising events. To donate, contact the foundation at 364-4204, drop by the hospital, or donate securely on-line at www.smhf.ca/donate.
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