The Southampton Hospital will be getting a new x-ray machine, likely by the end of the year.
The community has rallied to raise money for the equipment.
If you were part of the December Radiothon on 98 the Beach, you knew something special was happening.
The Radiothon raised $185,000 towards the purchase of a new x-ray machine.
On February 10th, the Executive Director of the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation, Tracy Murray announced the total cost–$510,000 was raised and the campaign was over.
She says they are “amazed and blown away,” with the result.
Murray states “we in our wildest dreams never thought it would come together this quickly.”
President and CEO of Grey Bruce Health Services (GBHS) Gary Sim, in accepting the cheque, says “We are extremely grateful to the Foundation and to the community for providing funds to purchase a new x-ray at the Southampton Hospital.”
Murray says the success of the campaign speaks volumes for the community and its people, and its support of health services in Saugeen Shores.
She says, “The community didn’t disappoint. They never do.”
GBHS will now buy six machines, two each for Owen Sound, and one each in Southampton, Wiarton, Lion’s Head and Meaford.
The hospital in Southampton has the second highest x-ray volume out of all the GBHS hospitals, with Owen Sound having the highest.
The x-ray equipment in all hospitals is 15-years old.
The local campaign ended when the Sandhu family of Port Elgin, owners of Saugeen Shores Family Dentistry and Port Elgin Audiology, stepped up to the challenge issued to all local dentist offices during the Light the Way Radiothon by fellow dentist Dr. Gord Mackay.
A donation of $15,000 put the campaign over the top.
