Imaging: Seeing Beyond to Save Lives” launches to raise funds for state-of-the-art medical imaging equipment at NRGH
NANAIMO, BC – November 19, 2024 – The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation (NDHF) has launched its largest campaign of the year, with a goal of raising funds to equip a new state of the art SPECT/CT machine for early diagnosis and treatment of patients at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH). The campaign, titled Imaging Seeing Beyond to Save Lives, will add a second SPECT/CT machine to the imaging department at the cost of $2.9 million dollars.
Through the campaign, The Foundation is sharing just how in demand this equipment is. The Nuclear Imaging Department at NRGH is one of the busiest on the Island, annually performing on average 5693 nuclear medicine scans. A second SPECT/CT machine would increase the capacity by at least 40% (up to 8000 nuclear medicine scans annually).
“Imaging equipment is one of the most powerful resources for our doctors and staff. It decreases uncertainty and stress and leads to early diagnosis for many critical diseases, primarily cardiology and cancer diagnosis. This campaign will ensure more people living on Central and North Vancouver Island will have access to the best imagine equipment in our region, shared Barney-Ellis Perry, Chief Executive Officer of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation.
“A CT scan allows us to see the structure of the inner body using X-rays in a 3D pattern. And a SPECT scan shows doctors how specific cells in the body are functioning using a radioactive tracer and 3D imaging. When you combine the two, the SPECT functional image is overlayed with the CT structure image. Doctors can then pinpoint the location of problems easier and with much more certainty and precision leading to early diagnosis and lives saved,” shared, Sarah Nickolet Supervisor Medical Imaging NRGH.
As part of the Imaging Seeing Beyond to Save Lives campaign, patients shared their personal experience with the equipment and acknowledged the importance of this campaign:
“Liam suffered from numerous ailments, and doctors weren’t sure exactly why. Extreme fatigue. Kidney stones. Calcium build-up on his heart. It was an incredibly stressful and emotional time, not knowing what was wrong with my husband. A breakthrough discovery was only uncovered thanks to the SPECT/CT machine and the diligent doctors at NRGH. They did everything they could to solve Liam’s problems.” Olivia, wife to Liam NDHF supporter and former imaging patient.
Read Liam’s full story here.
By funding the SPECT/CT, donors will be empowering radiologists and other physicians, as well as their patients. Equipment like SPECT/CT Scanners provide images used for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care, and emergency care. Ensuring our clinicians have reliable and state-of-the-art technology, brings clarity as they plan their patients’ course of care.
Contributions to Imaging Seeing Beyond to Save Lives can be made at www.nanaimohospitalfoundation.com/imaging, by calling 250-755-7690, by visiting the Foundation office at the Dufferin entrance at NRGH during office hours, or by mailing a cheque to 1200 Dufferin Crescent, Nanaimo, BC V9S 2B7. All donations make an impact.
-30-
About Nanaimo Hospital Foundation
The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation was founded to support Island Health facilities. Today, we are raising millions to support our region’s healthcare facilities by leading major fundraising campaigns for critical medical equipment, construction projects and programs that provide the best and highest level of healthcare to the residents on central and north Vancouver Island.
Learn more: https://nanaimohospitalfoundation.com
Media Contact:
Andrea Bava
778-908-1764 | andrea@blitzme.ca
Media Coverage
Rogers TV: Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation with Elizabeth Heinz and CEO Barney Ellis Perry.
My Comox Valley Now: Mail strike leaves non-profit Christmas fundraisers languishing
Nanaimo News Bulletin: Nanaimo hospital foundation launches winter fundraiser for SPECT-CT machine
Nanaimo and Voyageur Magazine: Seeing Beyond: A New Vision for Lifesaving Imaging at Nanaimo Hospital
