A record-breaking donation from Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival!

Peterborough's Dragon Boat Festival cheque presentation to the PRHC Foundation

October 11th we joined the Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival Planning Committee, the Survivors Abreast Dragon Boat Team, Platinum Sponsor Kawartha Credit Union, volunteers, and supporters at the Crescent St. t-wharf for a celebration of the Festival’s record-breaking year. They presented the PRHC Foundation with a cheque for $290,025.18 – the largest single donation in the Festival’s history! 

PRHC Foundation President & CEO, Lesley Heighway, was there to express her gratitude for the Festival’s ongoing commitment to cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre, on behalf of the Foundation, hospital, patients from across the region, and their loved ones. The Festival’s record-breaking 2023 success is a testament to our wonderful community’s generosity and will to come together for such an important cause. The efforts of so many organizers, paddlers, donors, sponsors, volunteers, and vendors have contributed to this amazing achievement.

You are transforming cancer care by helping PRHC invest in state-of-the-art technology to serve more patients, support earlier diagnosis, and provide safer, more effective treatments, close to home. Thank you!

PRHC designated a Level III Trauma Centre

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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Find out how, like Ivo, you can create a legacy for those you love most

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.

Your donations made it happen! New CTs are helping care providers see problems more clearly and safely

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.

Jennie Ireland says thanks

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.

Cardiac Centre at PRHC named in recognition of $5 million donation made by James “Jim” Neill in 2021

On March 30, 2023 the Cardiac Centre at Peterborough Regional Health Centre was dedicated to philanthropist James “Jim” Neill, who donated $5 million in support of cardiac care at PRHC in 2021. Neill and his family and friends joined representatives from PRHC and the PRHC Foundation at the Health Centre on Thursday for the dedication event, which included the unveiling of new named signage in his honour on the exterior north-east corner of the hospital, recognizing the James B. Neill Cardiac Centre.

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New youth eating disorders day treatment program and clinic space at PRHC named in recognition of Scotiabank’s $250,000 pledge

Representatives of donor, Scotiabank, at the dedication of a hospital treatment space

We’re so pleased to announce that the new Youth Eating Disorders Day Treatment Program area at PRHC has been unveiled and dedicated to Scotiabank!

Scotiabank regional leaders were at the hospital for the dedication event celebrating the Bank’s $250,000 pledge to fund the essential treatment area for the program, which launched in December in response to devastating increases in demand. It will help fill the treatment gap between those who can be successfully treated in an out-patient setting, and those who need more supervised, acute treatment and support to avoid admission to hospital or a long-term residential program. It’s designed to support youth 12-25 years old who need lifesaving care to normalize their eating and restore weight.

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Hometown team-work results in $64,870 donation from Petes Pink in the Rink!

On Tuesday, March 21, Peterborough Petes representatives and the Petes Pink in the Rink Hockey Moms were at PRHC to donate $64,870! – proceeds from the recent Pink in the Rink fundraising efforts, merchandise sales, game and auction – in support of expert, compassionate cancer care at PRHC. These funds will help the cancer care team serve more patients, support earlier diagnosis, and ensure safer, more effective treatments for patients from across our region.

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An update on PRHC: Realizing a truly regional health centre

A doctor performs a minimally invasive interventional radiology procedure.

Our donors often tell us that Peterborough Regional Health Centre sometimes feels like two hospitals in one. On one hand, they say the personalized, compassionate care provided today by PRHC’s healthcare professionals reminds them of the hospitals where their children were born.

On the other hand, the outstanding calibre of care, sheer scope of service, continuous introduction of new and innovative treatment options, and arrival of world-class experts, tells a different story.

We’re not just Peterborough’s hospital anymore. And that’s good news for everyone.

Becoming a Hub Hospital

The PRHC of 2022 is a significant player in provincial healthcare delivery. A fully regional health centre with an annual operating budget of $320 million, PRHC now supports regional referrals from five smaller partner hospitals within our catchment area, including Ross Memorial Hospital, Campbellford Memorial Hospital, Northumberland Hills Hospital, Minden Hospital, and Haliburton Highlands Hospital.

In fact, PRHC was recently designated by Ontario Health East, our regional health authority, as a fully integrated “hub” for care, similar to Kingston General Hospital, Lakeridge Health, and Scarborough Health Network. That means our hospital is now a peer of GTA facilities like North York General, Humber River Hospital, and Southlake Regional Health Centre.

These leaps forward did not happen by chance. They were realized thanks to the world-class care being provided by an outstanding healthcare team – care made possible by the state-of-the-art tools they’re able to use every day thanks to donor investments.

Accolades and Adversity

We’re very proud of the care being delivered at PRHC. This spring, the hospital achieved the highest possible Accreditation Canada results, receiving the designation “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” for the second time in a row.

Recently, PRHC was also awarded Stroke Distinction in Acute and Inpatient Rehabilitation Stroke Services by Accreditation Canada for the second time, indicating national leadership in the provision of high-quality stroke care.

These accolades would be amazing accomplishments in a normal year. They’re nothing short of exceptional during an ongoing crisis.

PRHC’s leadership and staff continue to respond to the tremendous challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re also working hard to address the difficulties presented by the current healthcare human resources crisis, rising wait times, and external issues like the ongoing shortage of family doctors.

Donors are helping shoulder these burdens, giving PRHC’s healthcare professionals hope that with donor support, we can meet any challenges that come our way.

At the same time, we’re keeping our eye on the future. The need for care in our region is only increasing as our population grows and ages. We can’t lose sight of the investments that must be made now in order to respond to future needs.

Interventional Radiology: Tiny incisions with extraordinary impact

Interventional radiology is used to diagnose and treat a wide range of emergency and chronic health conditions – without major surgery. Because it involves only a small incision and no general anesthetic, it results in less pain and shorter hospital stays.

To treat a much wider range of patient conditions and to pave the way for new, lifesaving therapies in the near future, we’re working with donors to invest $6 million into expanding PRHC’s two existing Interventional Radiology suites, building a new step-down unit, and furnishing all with the latest technology.

Cancer Care: Expert treatment, compassionate care

With your support, we’re also investing $13 million in excellence in cancer care so we can serve more patients, support earlier diagnosis, and ensure safer and more effective treatments. This includes technology like a second MRI, to allow for an additional 5,000 procedures a year (representing a 53% growth in volume), so our oncologists can help more cancer patients who have no time to wait.

A Bold Vision

PRHC has a bold vision for the future: to be the go-to large acute care hospital for patients between Kingston and the GTA. But to get there, we need you by our side.

We hope you’ll consider supporting our hospital this holiday season. Together, we’ll shape the future of healthcare in our region.