December 5, 2003

SUPPORTING LIGHT THE WAY - The auxiliary of the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre has come out in support of the hospital foundation's Light the Way campaign. Auxiliary treasurer Madeline Ryan (left) and president Marilyn Conklin (right) present a cheque for $5,000 to Cumberland Health Care Foundation managing director Jodi Swan.

Light the Way campaign breaks record, drawing near $65,000 campaign goal - Darrell Cole - Amherst Daily News
AMHERST - The Cumberland Heath Care Foundation's sixth Light the Way campaign is reaching new heights. A little over a week after holding its Christmas light-up ceremony at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, the foundation's campaign broke its year-old record by surpassing the $51,000 mark.

"It's the highest amount we've raised to date through Light the Way," foundation managing director Jodi Swan said Wednesday. "We're well on our way to our $65,000 goal."

"Light the Way is one of three major fund raisers conducted by the foundation including the Highland Classic in August and the Foundation Dinner in April.

As more money is raised, more lights are added to the Christmas trees adjacent to the hospital entrance while additional angels and wreaths are erected over the entrance. Funds raised by this year's campaign, which will extend into January, will be used to purchase two necessary pieces of medical equipment for the hospital including a portable ultrasound sonosite, that can be used throughout the facility, and an infrared spectrometre that will allow some patients to be assessed by providing a breath sample for analysis instead of having a gastroscope procedure.

"These purchases allow us to provide the best, most updated equipment for services for the residents of Cumberland County and neighbouring Westmorland County," Swan added. Lab services manager Jim Scopie agreed with Swan, pointing out the infrared spectrometre will cut down on waiting times for patients since they will no longer have to undergo a gastroscope and/or blood test.

Since its inception. Light the Way has raised in excess of $193,437 and should exceed the quarter-million mark if it reaches its goal this year. As far as the campaign has come, Swan said there's still a long way to go and pointed out contributors can donate lights, wreaths or angels in someone's honour or just because.

Lights can be purchased for $1 (for children), $10(white), $20 (red), $50 (green), $100(blue), while wreaths can be sponsored for $250 (gleaming) and $400 (wreath of hope), radiant angels are $500 and guardian angels are $1000.