With an ever-growing need for local medical services and over 4,000 surgeries taking place each year, the Moose Jaw Health Foundation (MJHF) has launched an ambitious fundraiser – the Vision of Tomorrow campaign – to help support Moose Jaw’s hospital with a projected target of $825,000 this year.
This funding enables the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital to acquire cutting-edge equipment and will enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide medical care to the community through additional surgeries and reduced wait times.
“The foundation is just thrilled to launch the Vision of Tomorrow campaign, and we will embark on an ambitious vision to really transform the surgical services at our community’s hospital,” announced Kelly McElree, director of the MJHF.
The Vision of Tomorrow campaign was launched after considering the growing demand for surgical services at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital. Last year alone, around 4,600 surgeries took place, representing a 41-per-cent increase over the previous two years.
“Because of that, the equipment that the surgeons are using is reaching its end of life,” McElree explained. “But that provides a unique opportunity to transform surgical services at our hospital with the latest state-of-the-art equipment…”
The health foundation’s goal is to raise $825,000 for this equipment, and the campaign includes a brand-new Stryker System.
The Stryker System enables medical professionals to better navigate complex surgeries and involves the integration of cutting-edge cameras, monitors, and surgical equipment.
“When you have the latest and greatest, it provides better health outcomes, less surgical downtime due to equipment breakdowns… and that Stryker System is absolutely integral to taking surgery to the next level in our community.”
This new system can be introduced thanks to the Moose Jaw Regional Hospital Auxiliary and a generous estate donation by Jack and Ruby Radu of $600,000. This generosity enables the new system to be set up in all four operating theatres at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital.
“That’s a tremendous donation, and we’re very, very thankful for that. The medical staff was just overwhelmed,” McElree said.
The Radu family has been a long-time supporter of the hospital and always believed in supporting their community.
“They had a profound sense of giving back,” he said. “Considering (that) 4,600 surgeries are done each year… over five years, that’s 23,000 surgeries that are going to be made possible because of that gift… It’s a true legacy of care.”
The remaining $225,000 will be raised through upcoming fundraisers including this year’s Festival of Trees in October, and proceeds will be used to purchase much needed scanners and scoping equipment.
“We have surgeons with the skills and training to do (these operations), but they lacked that type of equipment,” McElree explained. Residents who struggle with respiratory issues including COPD or lung cancer will soon have services available at home and won’t be required to travel to Regina or Saskatoon.
McElree said the campaign will also help recruit and retain surgeons, respiratory therapists, and medical technicians at Moose Jaw’s hospital.
“We have a fantastic health-care facility,” he said. “The foundation only wants to ensure that our medical professionals have the best to help our friends, family, and relatives in the community…”
With around 1,200 patients visiting the hospital daily, McElree said these additions are crucial.
“We want to ensure, as a foundation, that we’re doing everything we can to bring the best medical equipment in Canada (to Moose Jaw),” he said.
For more information about the MJHF, visit MJHF.org or call 306-694-0373 to make a donation.
