Sudbury's $7 million MRI fundraising campaign for Health Sciences North has been completed successfully and ahead of schedule.
The Health Sciences North (HSN) Foundation revealed in a news release on Tuesday that a "generous $2.25 million gift from Mississauga-based FDC Foundation "was made to successfully complete the HSN's Unlock the Potential fundraising campaign to purchase a new 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) model and upgrade the existing MRI scanner at HSN.
"Reaching this exciting milestone in the campaign means that patients across Northeastern Ontario can soon look forward to shorter wait times for high quality MRI scans and faster diagnosis", said the HSN Foundation.
FDC Foundation’s gift brings the Unlock the Potential MRI campaign – a joint fundraising initiative of HSN Foundation, NEO Kids Foundation and the Northern Cancer Foundation – to completion ahead of schedule and at a critical time, said the foundation.
The sole MRI at HSN is already operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it is still a challenge to keep up with patient needs. The addition of the second MRI by the end of the year will add capacity to current operations – providing patients with the opportunity to move closer to the provincial target time of 28 days, while the current average wait time for some patients at HSN is 84 days or more, said the release.
Anthony Keating, the president and chief development officer for foundations and volunteer groups at HSN was more than pleased with the gift from FDC.
“On behalf of the boards of directors of the three foundations, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to FDC Foundation for their transformative gift of $2.25 million that will have a tremendous impact on all patients who rely on an MRI for quality and timely care,” said Keating.
“We are grateful to have the support of a philanthropic leader that values the importance of equitable access to health care services for all patients, regardless of where they live.”
The new 3 Tesla MRI model for HSN provides superior imaging abilities, improved patient experience and faster scan times. It is to be run by highly trained technologists to produce detailed pictures of the brain, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures.
The foundation said MRI scans are integral to many specialties in medicine, including neurology, cancer, pediatrics, orthopedics, women’s health and cardiology.
That is important to Dr. Heidi Schmidt, Chief and Medical Director of Medical Imaging and Radiologist at HSN.
“Thanks to FDC Foundation, we will be able to deliver high quality imaging, in a timely manner, to ensure that all patients get the care they need, when they need it,” said Dr. Schmidt.
“A second MRI with advanced capabilities will help address wait times, achieve quality results and improve overall patient experience.”
It was also welcome news for hospital president and CEO Dominic Giroux.
“We are beyond thrilled to be able to deliver on the acquisition of a second MRI with the support of generous donors, like FDC Foundation, along with our community partners and the three foundations,” said Giroux.
“We thank the FDC Foundation for their significant gift that will support the health of patients across Northeastern Ontario for many years to come.”
The hospital also released a statement from the FDC Foundation, which recognized the vast area of Northeastern Ontario served by HSN.
“We are pleased to help bring advanced MRI technology closer to patients across the Northeast,” said the statement.
“Waiting or travelling to have an MRI can often be stressful for patients and their loved ones. We are happy to know that patients will have easier access to quality diagnostic imaging to ultimately improve patient outcomes.”
HSN said construction of the new MRI suite began in March 2021 and the full project will be completed before the end of this year. The total cost for the new MRI, upgrades to the existing scanner, construction and installation is approximately $7 million.
