MRI fundraising campaign now underway

North Bay and District Hospital Foundation
News Release

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The North Bay and District Hospital Foundation has accepted the responsibility to lead area communities in support of the Seeing More Clearly – a campaign for an MRI and more…

Mark Hurst, President and CEO, North Bay General Hospital & Northeast Mental Health Centre, says the hospital did not have the money needed to purchase an MRI, so they have asked the Foundation to reach out and ask our community to help us raise the necessary funds for the MRI and other diagnostic imaging equipment.

“The Hospital has not been able to set aside funds to purchase an MRI (approximately $3 million). The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) does not cover the capital costs for the initial purchase of an MRI, but it does fund the operating dollars required—approximately
$800,000 annually— to run the MRI. That is why we needed to have MOHLTC approval, which was confirmed just before Christmas.”

Tammy Morison, Foundation Campaign Director explains the significance of the slogan Seeing More Clearly. “The slogan of the campaign represents the benefits of up-to-date diagnostic imaging equipment. This new equipment will allow us to see inside the human body more clearly, ensuring more accurate and timely diagnoses – close to home.”

NBDH Foundation Executive Director Lois Krause says a change in financing is why the community is raising the funds for these important pieces of equipment. “When the Government of Ontario changed the financing of all new hospitals to cover 90 per cent of construction costs, with
the remaining 10 per cent coming from the community, they further stated that 100 per cent of all new equipment will be the responsibility of the hospital and the community.”


Campaign Co-Chair Al McDonald, acknowledges the importance of community leadership and volunteers. “My Co-Chair, Ted Thomson together with Honorary Co-Chairs Ted Hargreaves,
Barbara Minogue and Steve Omischl as well as 40 Campaign volunteers have committed, once again, to lead this exciting fundraising campaign. With this caliber of leadership, I believe we will be able to inspire community support to acquire the urgently needed DI Equipment needed to save lives.”

The campaign has started it first phase focusing on leadership gifts. The public phase will be launched in spring 2011, providing an opportunity for everyone to get involved.

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