February 20, 2008 - Media Release

“Growing Care Campaign” enters final phase
Fort Equipment donates $5,000 to local healthcare

Shown left to right Sean Cheverie, campaign chair, Jennifer, Bernie & Jeff Brennan of Fort Equipment, and Foundation chair David Wood

AMHERST, NS (February 20, 2008) – The Cumberland Health Care Foundation’s “Growing Care” campaign came a bit closer to reaching its $2.49 million goal yesterday with the donation of $5000 by Fort Equipment.

“We’re into the final round – probably the most difficult one” said campaign chair, Sean Cheverie, “when you get down to the last ten percent of goal, it certainly is a bigger challenge compared to when you’re starting out”. The campaign to raise $2.49 million for a third operating room and updated diagnostic equipment current sits at 92% with a remaining $195,000 to be raised.

“We’ve raised the money required for building and equipping the third operating room, replacing the echocardiogram machine, and upgrading the x-ray machine,” continued Cheverie, “the final piece is a new ultrasound for the regional hospital”.

Widely used to visualize an unborn baby as part of prenatal care, an ultrasound is used to identify many conditions that would be harmful to the mother and the baby. In 2006-07, there were 247 babies delivered at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre.

For other hospital patients, it is used to visualize internal organs, their size, structure, and any pathological lesions with real time tomographic images. The newer machine will have improved technology & imaging which will assist patients undergoing investigation for abdominal and breast cancer, blood clots and thyroid conditions. In order to help bring a new ultrasound to the regional acute care centre in Amherst, County residents will be receiving an information packet and donation request over the coming weeks in the mail. “We need everyone to pitch in and help”, said Cheverie, “every little bit goes a long way, especially for those on wait lists for medical procedures and diagnosis.”

Donations to the “Growing Care” campaign can 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 the website www.chcfoundation.com.