Jennifer Brown of Fort Frances has become the latest winner of the monthly Riverside Health Care 50/50 Raffle, taking home the June drawing prize of $11,827.50 as Riverside narrows in on its goal of raising $1.6 million for the Lights, Camera, DIAGNOSIS! campaign to boost the region’s medical imaging capability.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who purchased a ticket and continues to show support through the Riverside 50/50,” Riverside Director of Fundraising Holly Kaemingh said Monday in a press release.
“Community support through initiatives like this helps strengthen care close to home for patients, residents, clients, and families across the district.”
The 50/50 raffles support the campaign to bring new state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging equipment, including updated X-ray machines for the La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances and Rainy River Health Centre and the first MRI machine in the district to be located in Fort Frances.
After the May 50/50 prize was announced last month, Riverside said the campaign had drawn within $60,000 of its goal for the campaign.
“The community response to the Lights, Camera, DIAGNOSIS! campaign has been tremendous, and we’re very encouraged by the progress made to date, as we are in our final stretch,” communications co-ordinator Kathryn Pierroz told The Times.
“With our Riverside Golf Tournament taking place on July 11, we’re excited for another opportunity for the community to help move the campaign forward. Following the tournament, we look forward to providing an update on the campaign and sharing where we stand in relation to our fundraising goal.”
Housing the new MRI unit will require Riverside to construct a new addition to La Verendrye. The provincial government has also committed approximately $12 million in funding, which will go towards both equipment and construction costs.
The new MRI machine, which has been ordered, will bring high-speed imaging and efficiency, allowing faster appointments and more patients to be seen in a day.
Tickets are now available for the July 50/50 draw, with participants who purchase before July 10 entered for a chance to win the $1,000 Early Bird Prize sponsored by The Barn.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.rhc5050.com, by visiting the La Verendrye General Hospital Administration Office Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., by calling 807-274-6635, or in person every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the Main Entrance of La Verendrye General Hospital off Front Street.
