The Wingham & District Hospital Foundation has reached its fundraising goal to bring a new CT scanner to Wingham.
Wingham & District Hospital Foundation Executive Director Nicole Duquette-Jutzi says the foundation is thrilled to hit the $3.6 million goal for the Caring Together campaign, especially after the initial goal announced last year was $2.5 million.
Due to rising inflation and other construction expenses, that initial goal was pushed up another $1.1 million, but the community came through, something that doesn't surprise Duquette-Jutzi.
"That is what this community does and it was just so wonderful to see people recognize the value of a CT scanner. I think so many people have had personal experiences of having to travel, or know someone who's had to travel in an emergency situation or even just having to take themselves to another town to access CT services," Duquette-Jutzi said.
Phase one of the construction to install the new CT scanner is already underway, which involves the creation of two new ultrasound rooms. That's because the current location of the ultrasound equipment is where the new CT scanner will be housed. Duquette-Jutzi notes that the scanner itself is now on order, and they're on track to have the scanner installed for summer 2025
In terms of achieving the campaign goal, Duquette-Jutzi says the foundation is thrilled because of the massive impact the scanner will have on local healthcare.
"It's one thing to go to another town for your errands, it's a totally other thing when you're having a health concern. So I think people really understood the difference that this will make for our community, and certainly it was responded to very generously," Duquette-Jutzi enthused.
That generosity, which spanned a long list of local donors including businesses, families and estates, was highlighted at the start of the campaign by the largest donation the hospital foundation has ever received.
Britespan Building Systems Inc. made a $1,000,000 donation to kick-start the fundraising, and Duquette-Jutzi says the whole hospital foundation is extremely thankful for Britespan's ongoing and longstanding support of the hospital in Wingham.
“As a local family business, Rob Stute and I have always believed in the importance of supporting the local community. We have been putting money aside for several years now so that when a special need arose, we could step up and give in a big way. Wingham is where the majority of our staff come for their hospital care. We feel that responsibility to our community," shared Britespan Co-owner Ben Hogervorst.
In addition to all the numerous donors, Duquette-Jutzi says a huge shoutout goes to the campaign chair Mark Foxton.
"I'd be remiss if I didn't take time to thank all of the volunteers, including our campaign chair Mark Foxton, for leading the way on this, and of course, to all of the donors who gave both big and small. Every donation made a difference and helped us reach this amazing milestone," added Duquette-Jutzi.
At a campaign celebration event on November 7 at the Wingham Columbus Centre, Foxton spoke about how proud he was to be part of it.
“It was an honour to be part of this project. I have personally needed a CT Scan and know many others who have as well. This new CT in Wingham will benefit so many people and strengthen our hospital for the future," Foxton shared.
A Somatom X-Cite CT Scanner from Siemens Healthineers is on order, and construction and installation companies have been contracted.
For further information about the Wingham & District Hospital Foundation and the Caring Together campaign, visit www.wdhfoundation.ca/ct-campaign.