As we start to approach the winter season it is once again time for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF) to kick off its annual Light the Way campaign and 2020 has been a very different year for everyone, including charities that have faced the struggle with the loss of in-person fundraising events.
Therefore, the direct-mail letter for Light the Way is all that more important this year as SMHF tries to make up for lost revenue from events that couldn’t happen earlier this year due to COVID.
Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation is excited to announce that this year’s Light the Way fundraising will go toward the purchase of a new x-ray machine for the hospital in Saugeen Shores.
“The radiology department and x-ray technology plays a vital role in the care of not only emergency room patients but also for oncology, cardiology and surgical cases. The current x-ray machine, that is over 15 years old has now reached its end of life and needs to be replaced with newer technology. The x-ray machine is in service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is an integral core piece of the hospital,” says Foundation Executive Director Tracy Murray.
“The cost to replace the old machine will be $510,000,” adds Murray. “Since the government does not fund the purchase of medical equipment for the hospital we rely on support from our community to ensure the hospital can stay up to date and continue to provide high-quality care for all of our residents and visitors.”
This year’s LTW Honorary Chair is one of the area’s nuclear suppliers, Kinectrics and Raj Verma, Kinectrics V-P, will be representing the company during LTW activities, including the annual LTW Radiothon on December 10th on 98theBeach.
KINECTRICS CHALLENGE – Kinectrics is challenging all other nuclear suppliers to support the local hospital by donating any amount – but, hopefully, accepting the challenge by meeting or beating Kinectrics’ $5,000 donation.
“The community has embraced new neighbours from the different nuclear companies with open arms. Supporting Light the Way and the Hospital is the least we can do and maybe I can make a friendly challenge to our fellow industry ‘competi-mates’. Let’s see if we can come together and get the hospital the equipment they need as we work our way through these difficult times,” says Verma.
“As Kinectrics continues to grow in the Bruce County area, it becomes increasingly important that we support the local hospital through initiatives like Light the Way. Our employees, and the community that many of them call home, see the benefit of local health care,” says David Harris, Kinectrics’ President and CEO.
The Foundation asks the community to watch their mailboxes for the Light the Way x-ray envelope and consider mailing a donation if they can to help bring the new x-ray machine to our community.
Other ways to donate:
- Enjoy the fun new “interactive” x-ray room donation webpage at www.smhfoundation.ca/xray
- Quick and easy – donate via text simply text the word xray at 226-777-3050
- Donate by phone at 226-930-1114
- Donate during the LTW radiothon December 10th at 6:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. on 98theBeach (519)832-9898
