(Photo courtesy/NCHCF, Facebook)

By Ben Tompkins

Donations for Surgical Equipment

NCHCF Radiothon blows past original fundraising goal

Oct 27, 2023 | 5:15 PM

The North Central Health Care Foundation (NCHCF) held its first Radiothon in four years on Thursday in hopes of raising money for surgical equipment needs at the Melfort Hospital.

Originally, the goal was to raise $150,000 during the 12-hour event, however, they got a lot more than that.

According to Peggy George, Chair of the NCHCF, the unofficial amount of money they raised is about $224,000.

“We definitely met her goal of 150, which is awesome, because even at 150, it wasn’t enough for all that we needed for the O R,” she told northeastNOW. “The OR is so busy in the course of the year, the things that go on there, a lot of people don’t have any idea about until you’ve experienced it.”

George explained that the number of average surgeries a month is 60, while the average number of endoscopy procedures in a month is about 70.

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Meanwhile, there are other unplanned surgeries that include obstetrics and C-sections, which make the Melfort Hospital quite a busy place.

“We have the health team that can make it happen and they just need the equipment to do it properly and safely for the patient and everyone involved, so we are really happy to be able to look forward to ordering some new equipment for them,” George added.

A large portion of the donations came from two individuals in particular, which exceeded $150,000 all on their own.

$120,000 came from the Estate of Leilah Wood.

According to the NCHCF’s Facebook page, she made the Melfort area home after having spent part of her childhood in a Prisoner of War Camp in Hong Kong during World War II, and became part of the hospital family during her stay, visiting and playing the piano.

“This remarkable legacy will have a direct and lasting impact on the health care provided in our Melfort Hospital,” the post read.

Meanwhile, $54,000 came from Delores Beuker in honour of her late husband Bernard Beuker.

They also donated $25,000 towards future needs at Parkland Place.

“Such an incredible testament to your kindness and commitment to making a positive impact in our community, thank you,” another post said.

While George is of course very appreciative of these two donations in particular, she knows how important every donation is, no matter how big or small.

“The generosity and the kindness those ladies showed towards their fellow community and citizens, I think is a testament to the treatment that they received when they’ve been in our health care facilities. I think the donations just speak volumes in so many different directions and I guess that’s where the emotional part of it comes into play,” she mentioned.

“For me at least, it’s pretty all-encompassing, and I don’t mean to make light of the 10, the 20 and the $100 donations, those are also very important and we’re very grateful for those, adding them all together, it does make a huge difference.”

Exact decisions will now soon be made by members of the health care team and the Melfort Hospital as to what surgical equipment needs to be prioritized on the wish list and what is affordable with all the money that was raised.

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news@northeastnow.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8