AMHERST, NS (June 17, 2008) – "It’s a been a long but fulfilling challenge," said Sean Cheverie, Chair of the Growing Care Committee, "but no matter how many doors we knocked on, how many homes and companies we visited, it’s worth it to know that residents, businesses and community groups cared enough about each other to make a difference in the lives of others – in other parts of the world, this isn’t always the case."

Shown is 2008 summer student, Katy van Vulpen, completing the fundraising thermometer.

The Cumberland Health Care Foundation’s hospital campaign to raise $1.6 million of the approximate $2.5 million required for a third operating room and updated diagnostic imaging equipment came to a conclusion at the Foundation’s annual general meeting held at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre on Tuesday night June 17th.

“We’re extremely pleased to announce that we have reached that $1.6 million dollar mark”, continued Cheverie, "it was good to see how people in this area, in particular, can come together to make health care enough of a priority to benefit future generations of county residents". The campaign, begun in September 2005, was orchestrated due to the increased demand for more operating room and to replace key critical diagnostic imaging equipment.

The Echo cardiogram machine used in cardiac diagnosis was brought on line in early 2007 with the construction of the third operating room having been completed in June 2006 along with the updating of equipment for all three rooms. Currently underway is the final selection of a new Ultrasound machine and the initial review for an updated x-ray machine.

"Yes there were times when we wondered, will we make goal," said Cheverie, "we’ve had our share of downturns in campaign momentum that happened. But the thing we had going for us was the commitment, the drive, and the belief of the volunteers and staff involved with the Campaign. You need to have faith in seeing things through to the end and a belief in the people around you."

Donations to the "Growing Care" campaign can still be made at the Cumberland Health Care Foundation office located at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, by calling 902 667-5400 ext. 6210 or by visiting
www.chcfoundation.com/growing