LIGHT THE WAY - Cumberland Health Care Foundation chair Phyllis Cameron is shown looking on as the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre's new obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Marquis Okon demonstrates a portable ultrasound machine that will be funded by this year's Light the Way Campaign. This year's campaign, the seventh annual, hopes to raise $65,000 to purchase needed medical equipment for the hospital.

November 05, 2004 - Amherst Daily News - Darrell Cole

Light the Way remains ambitious

Health care foundation sets goal at $65,000
AMHERST - While last year's campaign fell tantalizingly short of its goal, officials with the CUmberland Health Care Foundation are optimistic they will hit the mark this year during the Seventh Annual Light The Way Campaign.

"Last year's goal was an ambitious one, but we see no reason why we shouldn't be able to achieve it this year," foundation chair Phyllis Cameron said Tuesday while announcing the $65,000 campaign goal.

"The community realizes the importance of the funds raised through this campaign and it has rallied behind the foundation time and time again over the years to purchase necessary medical equipment for our hospital."

The Light the Way Campaign will hold its official Christmas light-up on Sunday, Nov.28, at 6 p.m. by the front entrance of the CUmberland Regional Health Care Centre in Upper Nappan. There will be musical entertainment and an appearance by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, who will hand out treats to children in attendance.

"It's a very special time of the year and the response we have had over the years has been tremendous and has come from all over the county," Cameron said.

The ceremony will also see the lighting of the official Christmas tree by the hospital's front entrance as well as the lighting of the decorations that adorn the building. The lights will be turned on to music, making it an extra special evening for people of all ages.

Funds from this year's Light the Way Campaign will be used to purchase a portable ultrasound for the hospital's maternal/child department. This piece of equipment, which has already arrived at the hospital, will help the centre's new obstetrician/gynecologist, Dr. Marquis Okon, in providing care to the families he serves.

Dr. Okon said the portable ultrasound will greatly enhance his department's ability to respond to the needs of pregnant women and should help prevent any delay and inconvenience caused by bringing the hospital's only other portable unit over from diagnostic imaging.