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.

Together, we’re embracing spring, the next era of donor-funded care and PRHC’s new CEO

PRHC Foundation President & CEO Lesley Heighway outside the hospital

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

Happy Nursing Week!

Thank you, nurses, for being here for us when it matters most! On this National Nursing Week – and every week – we’re grateful for the outstanding care you provide to patients from all across our region. 

All year long we receive online comments as well as Grateful Heart tribute donations with notes of thanks full of appreciation for the expert, compassionate care you provide to your PRHC patients and their families. Those donations fund state-of-the-art technology, fuel innovation, bring new services to our region, and in turn help the hospital attract more colleagues to join you at PRHC. 

In celebration of Nursing Week, here’s a special video that includes a sample of the lovely Grateful Heart messages collected this year. 

 

Happy Doctors’ Day!

To all doctors, thank you for being here for us when it matters most! On this National Physicians’ Day – and every day – we’re grateful for the compassionate care you provide to patients from all across our region.

The expert work you do inspires donations in your honour to the PRHC Foundation to help you care for other patients. They fund state-of-the-art technology, fuel innovation, bring new services to our region, and in turn help the hospital attract more colleagues to join you at PRHC. Many donations include notes of appreciation that we love sharing with you all year long through the Foundation’s Grateful Heart tribute program.

In honour of Doctors’ Day, check out our video for a collection of some of the wonderful Grateful Heart messages received this year.

Tim Hortons Smile Cookie is back at PRHC May 1-7!

Get ready for Smile Cookie at a new time of year!

Tim Hortons Smile Cookie returns to the PRHC cafeteria Compass Canada Tim Hortons May 1-7 and we’re so grateful to be the charity of choice for this yummy event! 100% of proceeds from PRHC Compass Canada Tim Hortons Smile Cookie sales will be donated to help fund the equipment and technology used every day at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. 

Thanks to Retail Manager Warren Andrews and his team for all the work they do every year to make this fundraiser such a success and thanks to all the PRHC Smile Cookie fans for their support!

Celebrating National Volunteer Week April 16-22, 2023

From the bottom of our hearts comes a supersized thank you to all volunteers this week in celebration of National Volunteer Week 2023! It means so much to us – and your community – that you generously donate your time, energy and skills on top of your monetary donations in support of your regional hospital. Thank you!

Whether you’re one of PRHC’s Gift Shop volunteers or an office volunteer, whether you’re a Board of Directors or Board Committee member, whether you’re a volunteer with Campaign Council or the Allied Professional Advisory Council, whether you organize, participate in or help out at community events and fundraisers, whether you’ve shared your story as a Foundation ambassador or through a personal fundraising page – we want you to know how grateful we are! We couldn’t do what we do without your strength and support. Thank you for helping shape the future of healthcare in our region!

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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