Riverside to raise money for CT Scanner

News Release
Riverside Foundation

Riverside Foundation for Health Care recently received a letter from the hospital Board of Directors authorizing the Foundation to begin fundraising for a CT Scanner at La Verendrye Hospital.
“This is great news for the citizens of the Rainy River district”, said Larry Cousineau, Chairman of the Foundation Board of Directors.
“The Foundation is excited and pleased to set forth on another fundraising campaign to bring this state-of-the-art technology to the District”, he added.
Deane Cunningham, who is Vice-Chair of the Foundation Board did not hesitate in stepping forward to Chair this worthwhile Fundraising Campaign.
“I’ve had my own personal experience with the need for a CT Scan. A scan detected a serious medical problem I had and I was able to receive help quickly”, he said.
“I know how important this technology is and I want to do what I can to ensure we have it available for everyone when needed”.
CT Scans have become the diagnostic tool of choice for physicians and is used in both urgent and non-urgent situations. While most urgent cases are referred to International Falls or Baudette, prior approval is required from the Ministry of Health to authorize these scans.
Non-urgent cases must travel to Kenora, Thunder Bay and Winnipeg for this procedure that can take as little as five minutes to perform.
“We shouldn’t have to travel up to four hours to receive this service”, stressed Teresa Hazel, Foundation Director.
“The citizens of the Rainy River district deserve a high standard of health care available to them right here - close to home”.
Riverside CEO, Wayne Woods also feels strongly about the need for this state-of-the-art technology.
“We are currently referring 5 - 10 patients per week to other centres for CT Scans. We do not want to rely on other health centres for this service.”
“While we currently receive funding from the Ministry of Health for urgent cases in International Falls and Baudette, they, the Ministry of Health, could cease authorizing these transfers at any time. We also have concerns about the regulations coming forward with border crossing and the passport issue.”
“The district has supported Riverside in building three first-class health care facilities and this is the logical next step in providing quality health care services - close to home”, added Woods.
A Campaign Committee is currently being established and more information will be provided as the Campaign moves forward. The fundraising goal to purchase a 32-slice CAT (Computer Axial Tomography) Scanner is $1.5 million.
If you would like more information about the Care Close to Home-2 fundraising campaign, please contact the Foundation Office at 274-4803.