Current News > August 27th, 2008: New fundraising challenges for KDH Foundation
Kemptville District Hospital
2675 Concession Road, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Tel: (613) 258-6133; Fax: (613) 258-7853
August 27, 2008
Media Release – August 27, 2008
Kemptville, ON, August 28, 2008 - Kemptville District Hospital's Lean on Me Capital Campaign raised $5 million and it's in safe hands, according to KDH Foundation Chair Tom Mesman, but there is more to do. At the Foundation's AGM June 26, it was reported approximately $3.3 million was held for the expansion, in a portfolio of guaranteed investments. They are earning interest, and will mature over time to coincide with upcoming construction. A further $1.7 million in pledge payments is expected to be received from generous individuals and businesses as anticipated. A review of unpaid pledges indicates that only $35,000, made up of approximately 10 pledges, is at risk. "I am really impressed with the generosity of so many donors, said Mesman, "they are the bedrock of this community and I'm confident the $5 million will be on hand when it is needed to help equip the new facility."
Mesman emphasized the Hospital still needs help with acquiring new equipment. "The Hospital's regular capital equipment list came in at $800,000 this year, but the government will not fund it all. There is a real funding gap. We are appealing to donors for $300,000 to help keep the Hospital properly-equipped."
The biggest equipment item on the list is a new DR digital x-ray machine which costs $600,000. Shelley Bottan, a Diagnostic Imaging Technologist at Kemptville District Hospital said their current machine is over fifteen years old and getting close to the point where parts cannot be replaced. The big improvement with this new equipment is the switching from CR cassettes to digital imaging. Bottan explained "we would no longer need cassettes to transfer the image to our PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System used to transmit x-ray images to specialists in Ottawa or other centres). The image will appear on the DR computer system automatically after the exposure is taken." The new system will be more efficient and safer too. Bottan says the technologist can look at the image very quickly on the DR computer system, without having to leave the patient and the x-ray room. She added "we are always striving to reduce the patient radiation exposure dose and the new DR system will also be an improvement in patient safety in this area."
The Foundation will also ask newcomers and new users of the Hospital for financial support, and will work at broadening its donor base.
- 30 -
For more information, please contact:
Alex Heath
Director, Kemptville District Hospital Foundation/ Manager, Hospital Communications
Tel: 613-258-6133 x 194
aheath@kdh.on.ca