A fundraising campaign by the Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation to bring an MRI to Palmerston is well underway.
Campaign Co-Chair Mark Leslie says the goal is to bring an MRI to Palmerston. He adds that in December of 2022, the province offered operational funding to hospitals in under-serviced areas in Ontario, and Palmerston was chosen.
"The problem is that they cover the operational costs of the MRI, but the hospital and hospital foundation has to raise the money to put the MRI in. So that's where this all started. So we're trying to come up with $8 million, $2 million for the machine, $4 million to renovate the room, which has to have copper in the walls and things like that, and also training for the staff and program management costs. So that's where this all started," Leslie shared. "There's two people within the hospital now that are learning to become an MRI tech, whether they were an X-Ray tech before or not, but they have started their training already. The end of 2025 is when they want us to have the MRI in, which seems like a ways away, but it really isn't that far away, so it's good to see them start their training already."
Leslie is co-charing the fundraising committee for the MRI project alongside Dan Hill. In terms of how the fundraising has started off, Leslie says they've already made a significant dent.
"To do with the donations, someone actually came up with a tagline that if we get 1,600 families to give $5,000 over a 5-year period, that's a thousand dollars a year each, that's $8 million. So it makes it sound a lot more achievable than just saying 'Hey, we have to get $8 million.' So far, we're already over $2 million. We had $1.3 million from a local farmer who passed away and left it in his will (bequest) to donate to the hospital, and we've raised over $700,000 ourselves," Leslie said proudly.
When it comes to the benefits an MRI machine would bring to Palmerston, Minto and the surrounding area, Leslie says the need is great.
"For sure, and it's funny becuase I had to have an MRI about 4 years ago, and I had to have it done at 3 a.m. in Guelph, and this is gonna alleviate a lot of those issues with having middle of the night appointments like that. It's not just gonna service Palmerston, it will service the whole area. We're actually the most under-serviced area in Ontario, Palmerston is, for MRI access, so it's gonna work out really well," said Leslie.
While $8 million may seem daunting to some, Leslie adds he has no doubt the community can come together and get it done.
"Oh, it's fantastic here, I've been here since I was 2-years-old and it's amazing how the community comes together. We've been having our gala for the hospital foundation for the last few years and raised over $230,000 just last year alone. There's just so many giving people in the area and I'm very proud to be part of this community," Leslie beamed.
Finally, Leslie adds they obviously don't expect $5,000 each spread across just 1,600 donors, that is just a number thrown out to make the goal not seem so out of reach. He says if anyone wants to donate any amount, big or small, or even become involved with the committee and help out with fundraising and events, there's an easy way to do that.
"Every little bit counts. It doesn't have to be a $5,000 donation, obviously. You can go on the foundation website and there's a donate button. More information is there, too. Some people are wondering 'Why is this $8 million, the machine only costs $2 million?" Well, there's a lot more that goes into it, especially with the building, and that type of thing. So, whatever you can give, that's what we're looking for," Leslie concluded.
Leslie shared some facts, as well, that further enhance the importance of getting an MRI in the area.
The distance to the nearest MRI is an hour+ for most residents in the area. Currently, only 34 percent of patients in Ontario receive an MRI within target times.
You can find more information or donate to the campaign by clicking here.
