Earlier this year, Peterborough Regional Health Centre received official designation as a Level III Trauma Centre. As a result, the hospital now has a recognized trauma program that, for the first time, is part of the provincial network, with access to its resources. A PRHC trauma director and team have been appointed to further develop PRHC’s trauma system.
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Ivo Nightingale is a proud PRHC Foundation legacy donor. He explains why planned giving is important to him:
“For my wife, Lynda, and I, there were so many reasons we chose to make the Peterborough region our home: the people, the great theatre, our daughter and two grandchildren living nearby. But would it surprise you to know that PRHC was also a factor?
We knew, when we were deciding where to retire, that we’d likely need a great hospital eventually. And we were right. From stroke treatment, to cancer care, to emergency surgery, PRHC’s been there for our family through thick and thin. Maybe you’ve had a similar experience?
Lynda and I are so grateful for the amazing care we’ve received at PRHC. So, when our financial advisor suggested that we could reduce our estate taxes with a gift in our will, the PRHC Foundation felt like a natural fit.
It feels wonderful to know that we can provide for our family and grandchildren in our wills and leave them another gift: an exceptional regional hospital. Our gift today will make a difference tomorrow!”
For more information about making a gift through your Will to the PRHC Foundation, please call Lesley Heighway, President & CEO, at 705-743-2121, ext. 3859 or send her an email.
Always consult a professional financial advisor to discuss the best charitable giving options for you.
PRHC Foundation donors made it possible for the hospital to replace and upgrade outdated equipment with two new, cutting-edge CT scanners. Now, the team that uses them every day, has given us a special update about the impacts this $4.55 million investment is having on the care they provide to people from across our region.
CT scanners are essential. They’re the backbone of diagnostic imaging, used to visualize and confirm a wide range of illness and injury, such as blood clots, cancers, spinal issues, head injuries, fractures, obstructions, stroke, and cardiac disease, among many others. In a typical year at PRHC, around 33,000 CT scans are performed on approximately 28,000 patients.
Dr. Rola Shaheen, PRHC Physician Chief and Medical Director of Diagnostic Imaging, explains that these scans are different than those provided by the old machines. “The new scanners are better at imaging everything. Images are clearer, more comprehensive and more precise, allowing for more accurate diagnosis. While image quality has vastly improved, the radiation dosage used is lower, which is safer for both the patient and the technologist,” she says.
“Also, with the new scanners, technologists can now perform cardiac CT imaging and brain perfusion exams for stroke patients. The machines also include an interventional radiology package, which supports more accurate biopsies. The old equipment didn’t have these capabilities.”
Dr. Shaheen and her colleagues are very grateful to donors for funding the CT scanners. “Thank you for understanding the value of state-of-the-art equipment. Thank you for funding the technology that helps me and my team care for our patients and do our jobs to the best of our abilities,” she says.
Brandon Ray, PRHC Senior Technologist, CT, agrees. “It’s wonderful to be able to offer safer, more accurate scans. The CT beds are also wider and offer more movement function than the old ones, so that makes the experience more comfortable and easier for the patient, especially those in pain,” he says. “Thank you, donors!”
For more information on the impact of your generosity, call 705-876-5000.
Thank you and cheers to The Beer Store for making it easy to give back this summer!
From July 3 to August 27, Beer Stores are raising funds to support hospitals and foodbanks in their communities – the Peterborough and area Beer Stores will be collecting empties and cash donations in support of Peterborough Regional Health Centre!
Enjoy the summer and as you head home from the cottage, trailer or campsite, please consider dropping off your empties (consumed responsibly) at any of the following Beer Store locations starting July 3, to help fund equipment and technology at PRHC:
• 570 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough
• 139 George St. N., Peterborough
• 1154 Chemong Rd., Peterborough
• 1900 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough
• 882 Ward St., Bridgenorth
• 102 Queen St., PO Box 520, Lakefield
After Ian Wallace’s 4-year-old daughter was diagnosed with liver cancer last summer, they started treatment at Sick Kids and were connected with the POGO Satellite Clinic at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. “This allowed us to receive many of our treatments, checkups and blood work much closer to home,” says Ian. “It has meant so much to our family to be able to spend more time together and less time and expenses travelling.”
Now, Ian wants to help ensure other families can benefit from expert, compassionate cancer care close to home. He’s organized Fishing For a Cure, a musky fishing event across the Kawartha Lakes, with all proceeds going to the PRHC Foundation in support of pediatric cancer care at PRHC.
To register or sponsor the event, please email Ian or call him at 416-919-9846.
The Peterborough Cycling Club presents the Hunter Fondo, Saturday, August 19th, in memory of cycling enthusiast John Hunter.
There are only 250 spots available for this wonderful event and registration closes August 12th. Cyclists can choose any of three routes, including new this year, a 40km ride mostly on the Trans Canada Trail.
Proceeds will be split between a donation to the PRHC Foundation in support of cardiac care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre and a donation to the CMH Foundation for Campbellford Memorial Hospital, so pedal on over to the PCC website for more details and to sign up.
Once again this Father’s Day, Living Local Marketplace has teamed up with the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation in support of world-class care at your regional hospital!
When you build a gift box, choosing from hundreds of lovely, local products sourced from across the province, $5 will be donated to help fund state-of-the-art technology, fuel innovation, and bring lifesaving new services to the region.
Will it be salty, saucy, savoury, spicy, sudsy or sweet? The perfect gift is the one you create, so you decide! With their compliments and thanks for loving local, Living Local Marketplace will package up your purchase, and top it off with some amazing artwork by Christine Liu of Paper Crown Designs in Peterborough.
You can build your box online for pick-up, local delivery or shipping across the country. Or, shop in-store at the corner of Chemong and Milroy in Peterborough, Wednesday through Saturday, 11am-5pm.
Thank you, Living Local Marketplace and customers, for your wonderful support!
If you’ve lived with cancer or supported a loved one through treatment, you know how hard it is. Not only the illness itself, but the treatment, too. Cancer care patient Jennie Ireland explains that that’s why receiving care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre was her lifeline. She says it’s thanks to caring people like you that she’s now cancer-free, because PRHC Foundation donors funded the equipment her doctors used to save her life.
“Being able to get my treatment in my community meant less worry and I believe, had a positive impact on my recovery. Without it, I would have had to travel to Toronto, Oshawa or even Kingston, for months on end,” says Jennie. “So, I’m so thankful to donors for all the ways you’ve supported cancer care at our hospital. Your donations really do make a difference. I know I didn’t realize the full extent, though, until I experienced it firsthand.”
There are many more patients like Jennie. With rising patient volumes, especially in cancer care, our region needs the latest technology to help doctors find and treat complex cases faster and more safely, shorten wait times, and save more lives. That’s why supporting investments in essential areas that support cancer care, like interventional radiology, is crucial. And it’s just one of the areas PRHC is investing in to address this demand.
One of the important upgrades needed as part of PRHC’s $6 million investment in minimally invasive interventional radiology is an advanced, portable ultrasound machine. The latest interventional radiology ultrasound systems provide fast, detailed imaging for the most accurate visualization and advanced needle navigational assistance – critical in finding a safe path to the desired area inside the body without puncturing vessels, bowel or other organs.
At PRHC, interventional radiology ultrasound is used during tumour or organ lesion biopsies and in the placement of port-a-caths and PICC lines – which allow for less obvious, longterm access to chemotherapy, with less risk of infection.
Jennie had a PICC line inserted in an interventional radiology procedure at PRHC as part of her cancer treatment. She says she was terrified, but because it was done locally her mom could come with her. She explains what it meant to her:
“After I was diagnosed with an aggressive, fast-growing tumour that had spread to my lymph nodes, my days were filled with scans, surgeries, and rounds of chemo and radiation. I quickly became familiar with every corner of the hospital – even places I’d never heard of like interventional radiology.
“That’s where they put my PICC line in,” she adds. “This was the ‘port’ that was used to deliver my chemotherapy. It stayed in my arm for months, giving me longterm access to treatment, with less risk of infection. I could shower or even swim with it.”
PICC lines and other similar, implantable devices make life a little easier for patients when it really counts. With advanced new interventional radiology ultrasound technology that has improved image quality for vessel analysis, placement of these devices will be even easier for interventional radiologists – and their patients. The new equipment will also help in procedures where placing drains under image guidance is crucial, such as biliary, gallbladder, kidney and abscess tube insertions.
Jennie says, “It’s all this behind-the-scenes, donor-funded care that makes it possible for our hospital to provide lifesaving treatment – right here in Peterborough – under one roof. I can’t tell you what a relief it was that I could focus solely on my health without the added stress of arranging travel, meals, and lodging. My dad drove me to my appointments. My mom cooked dinner on infusion days when I was at my weakest and dealing with chemo side effects. Most importantly, I didn’t have to disrupt my son’s daily routine.”
Care close to home made a difference for Jennie and her family. She became a donor to the PRHC Foundation to help PRHC upgrade their cancer care technology so that more patients like her can get the care they need, where they need it most. You too can help shape the future of patient care at your hospital. To donate in support of this exciting interventional radiology investment or for more information, call 705-876-5000 or click here.
Dear Friends,
Spring has long been a time for renewal – spring cleaning, the anticipation of summer weather and fun, and for green thumbs like me, all those spring showers that bring the garden flowers. But this year, spring has had an extra feeling of transition.
I’m speaking of the March retirement of Health Centre President & CEO, Dr. Peter McLaughlin, after 17 years with PRHC and a 50-year career in healthcare. On behalf of the Foundation, congratulations to Dr. McLaughlin. We thank him for his wonderful support of the PRHC Foundation and his exceptional service and dedication to healthcare. Under his leadership, your hospital became a truly regional centre that up to 600,000 people rely on for care.
I’m also pleased to welcome new PRHC President & CEO, Dr. Lynn Mikula. She’s a longtime supporter of the PRHC Foundation and I’ve had the pleasure of working with her throughout her time at the Health Centre.
In a recent email to hospital and Foundation staff, Dr. Mikula explained how honoured she is to take on the role of President & CEO. She also asked me to tell you how grateful she is for your support:
“I’ve always been struck by the way the people of this community and hospital rise to meet every challenge – especially in the last three years as everyone has supported us through difficult times. Thank you, donors!” she says. “I also want to thank Dr. McLaughlin for his thoughtful, steady, compassionate leadership. We’ve worked together to ensure a smooth transition at PRHC and I’m eager to continue building the future of healthcare here.”
Dr. Mikula and I look forward to continuing the robust partnership between the hospital and the Foundation. I’m glad to have a strong relationship with her and the hospital leadership team as our organizations work together to shape the future of healthcare for our region. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible donors and we’re grateful for your generosity.
Many of you are long term donors who over the years have helped us fund the vital technology PRHC’s doctors, nurses and staff need to provide world-class care. Thank you! Many others have more recently stepped up to join us as the pandemic, health human resource issues and economy have challenged our hospital and others – as well as you, your loved ones and neighbours – like never before. Thank you and welcome!
Whether you’re a new or an old friend of the Foundation, I’m moved every day by your support and the impact of your donations on patient care. Because of you, we’re celebrating a year and a half of diagnostic imaging on two new, cutting-edge CT scanners. We’re celebrating a $3.55 million state-of-the-art upgrade to the Cardiac Cath Lab. And although we have fundraising left to do, we’re already amazed by your support of your hospital’s $6 million investment in life-changing interventional radiology.
Your generosity also makes me so hopeful for the future. Your donations will help PRHC continue to provide care to a growing number of patients in an aging population, with higher rates of disease and more complex conditions. They’ll fuel exciting innovations in areas like minimally invasive care, bring new services once available only in big city centres to our region, and in turn continue to attract the best and brightest healthcare experts to work at PRHC.
I hope you feel that optimism, too. We’re doing something powerful together. On behalf of the thousands of patients and families who are touched by it, thank you!
Have a healthy and safe season,
Lesley Heighway
President & CEO, PRHC Foundation
Read an e-version of the PRHC Foundation’s Spring 2023 issue of The Pulse newsletter to find out more about how you are making great care possible at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
