The Victoria Hospitals Foundation received over $11 million from over 5,900 donors in support of the city's two hospitals and the foundations latest campaign, Imaging is Power, which aims to replace six "vital" pieces of medical imaging equipment.
The campaign was inspired by 32 radiologists, led by the medical director of imaging Dr. Alan Andrew. Last spring, the foundation and the radiologists set the goal to fund a new CT Scanner, SPECT/CT scanner and C-Arm imaging device for the heart catheterization team, and the transformation of three MRI machines using "first-in-Canada innovation."
“Our radiology team desperately strives to serve our community and patients as efficiently as possible. We embarked on this project with the full intention to prioritize the needs of our patients, and we are so grateful to know our community is right alongside us,” said Andrew in a news release. “Not a day will go by that I don’t think of all of you who made this revolution in imaging happen for our hospitals.”
Over 500 people undergo scheduled scans every day at Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) and Victoria General Hospital (VGH), with several emergent scans taking place in between and imaging supports everyone from babies to seniors according to the release.
A new CT scanner is on its way to VGH and a cardiac C-Arm replacement will start later in the summer. Additionally, the refurbishment of the first MRI machine is already underway at RJH.
“As a foundation, our focus is on stewarding the incredible generosity we have experienced and supporting our hospitals in getting these new machines operationalized as quickly as possible,” noted Avery Brohman, CEO of the foundation, in the release. “Though our promise to Island Health has been fulfilled, our Foundation is evermore determined to address the growing needs of our healthcare system on the Island - in bigger, and bolder ways."
Contributions to the foundation can be made online at https://www.victoriahf.ca/donatenow, by calling 250-519-1750, by visiting the foundation office on the RJH campus, or by mailing a cheque to Wilson Block, 1952 Bay Street, Victoria BC, V8R 1J8.
