Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation officials are excited to announce a $100,000 gift from Bill and Suzanne Richardson to support the purchase of an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine for the Midland hospital.
The donation comes on the heels of last month's announcement that the Ontario government would be providing annual operational funding for an MRI in Midland in order to alleviate wait times across the region and provide equitable access to this service for local residents.
Shortly after the announcement, the Richardsons approached the foundation about making a gift to support this essential project.
“We don’t know when we, or our friends and family, will need the hospital, but we want to make sure it’s here today and in the future,” the couple noted in a release.
“It’s inspiring to see our hospital growing, and advocating for the best health-care services for our community. We want to do our part to support this growth and help bring the best imaging technology to Midland.”
For people in Midland and Simcoe North, the province's move to means they will have more convenient access to diagnostic imaging and no longer need to travel to receive an MRI scan.
While the province will be providing annual operational funding of $800,800 for the new machine, the project's capital components of nearly $4-million must be raised through the foundation's fundraising efforts such as gifts like the one received from the Richardsons, who have been loyal donors for 16 years, generously supporting the hospital through events and sponsorships.
The couple's gift is a testament to their continued connection to the organization, and to their commitment to having an impact in their home community, according to foundation officials.
“Bill and Suzanne’s investment in the MRI for GBGH demonstrates the importance of local health care,” GBGH Foundation executive director Nicole Kraftscik said.
“We all rely on GBGH for care, and this gift is going to have a significant impact for our community. We are so grateful to Bill and Suzanne for helping to kick-start our campaign to bring an MRI to our hospital.”
An MRI is a non-invasive medical imaging exam that helps radiologists to diagnose a variety of diseases, including cancer. An MRI machine uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and other structures inside the body.
GBGH will begin offering MRI services to residents as soon as it is able to complete construction and purchase the new machine.
Those wishing to support the campaign, can contact the foundation office at (705) 526-GIVE (4483) or click here.
