CHATHAM, ON (Wednesday, October 15, 2014): Today, the Foundation of Chatham-Kent
Health Alliance (CKHA) launched Phase 1 of the Future in Focus – CKHA Diagnostic Imaging
Equipment Renewal Campaign. This multi-million dollar campaign will support the purchase of
new diagnostic imaging equipment for CKHA’s Diagnostic Imaging Department at the Chatham
and Sydenham Campuses, including a new CT Scan, a new Fluoroscopy System, new
Ultrasound Equipment and a new Bone Densitometer.
It was also announced that this new campaign has received close to $2 million in funding to date,
including a $1 million gift from Chatham-Kent resident, Mr. Wiet Peeters, Founder of Peeters’
Mushroom Farm in Charing Cross.
With an overall fundraising goal of $6.9 million, these generous donations have given this
campaign a wonderful start, with $4.9 million remaining to complete Phase 1 of this campaign
over the next three years.
“We are thrilled to officially launch the CKHA Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign
and announce the immensely generous lead gift of $1 million from Mr. Wiet Peeters,” says
Michele Grzebien-Huckson, Executive Director, Foundation of CKHA. “As the fundraising body
for our community hospitals, we have always been very fortunate to receive tremendous support
from the residents of Chatham-Kent. Bringing this new state-of-the-art equipment to Chatham-
Kent will have a significant impact on local healthcare and I am confident that our community will
once again help us reach our fundraising goal.”
CKHA Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign
As part of the Foundation of CKHA’s directive to raise funds to support CKHA’s Highest Priority
Needs, the CKHA Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign has been launched to
support CKHA in the purchase of new diagnostic imaging equipment for CKHA’s Diagnostic
Imaging Department.
The need to replace this diagnostic imaging equipment has become an urgent priority for CKHA
as the equipment is quickly reaching ‘end of life’ and needs to be replaced to ensure that CKHA’s
current and future Physicians and healthcare professionals have the best diagnostic tools
available, leading to faster diagnoses and ultimately better care for our patients.
Phase 1 of this campaign will focus on the purchase a new CT Scan, a new Fluoroscopy System,
new Ultrasound Equipment and a new Bone Densitometer for CKHA’s Diagnostic Imaging
Department at the Chatham and Sydenham Campuses.
These four key pieces of equipment serve almost every program offered at CKHA and are key for
diagnoses in a multitude of cases, including heart, stroke, cancer, orthopaedics, rehabilitation,
obstetrics, gynecology and urology, just to name a few.
Even though this equipment is considered essential for care at CKHA, as with all capital
equipment needs at our local hospitals, the purchase of this equipment is not supported through
government funding.
“If you have had a diagnostic imaging exam at CKHA’s Chatham or Sydenham Campuses, you
know first-hand the benefit of having these services close to home,” says Dr. Cassie Harnarine,
Chair, Board of Directors, Foundation of CKHA. “The significant advances in diagnostic imaging
over the past decade have resulted in more accurate diagnoses and less invasive treatment for
patients. To ensure we are providing the best care possible for the residents of Chatham-Kent,
we need to bring this new diagnostic imaging equipment to CKHA.”
Giving Thanks
During the ‘quiet phase’ of this campaign, the Foundation of CKHA has been very fortunate to
receive several generous gifts in support of our efforts to bring this new diagnostic imaging
equipment to our community.
Gifts from the Public General Hospital Foundation; St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation; the CKHA
Helping Hands Auxiliary and various individual donors as well as the proceeds from the
nd Annual Chatham-Kent Pumpkin Run… for local healthcare, held on Sunday, October 5, 2014,
2 have helped give this campaign a great start.
At today’s launch event, the Foundation of CKHA announced a $1 million gift to the campaign
from Mr. Wiet Peeters, Founder of Peeters’ Mushroom Farm – one of the largest gifts ever
received by the Foundation of CKHA.
In honour of this gift, the CT Scan Suite at CKHA’s Chatham Campus will be renamed the
Mr. Wiet Peeters and Family CT Scan Suite.
Your help is needed…
We all want quality healthcare close to home and your help is needed. Please consider a
donation to the CKHA Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign and help us bring this
state-of-the-art equipment to our community hospitals.
Please give generously to the CKHA Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign. To
make your donation, please visit www.foundationckha.com or call 519.436.2538. Thank you for
your support!
For more information, please contact:
Michele Grzebien-Huckson, Executive Director
Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
mgrzebien-huckson@ckha.on.ca OR 519-436-2538
Today, the Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) launched Phase 1 of the Future in Focus –
CKHA Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign. This multi-million dollar campaign will support the
purchase of new diagnostic imaging equipment for CKHA’s Diagnostic Imaging Department at the Chatham and
Sydenham Campuses, including a new CT Scan, a new Fluoroscopy System, new Ultrasound Equipment and a
new Bone Densitometer.
It was also announced that this new campaign has received close to $2 million in funding to date, including a
$1 million gift from Chatham-Kent resident, Mr. Wiet Peeters, Founder of Peeters’ Mushroom Farm in Charing
Cross.
With an overall fundraising goal of $6.9 million, these generous donations have given this campaign a wonderful
start, with $4.9 million remaining to complete Phase 1 of this campaign over the next three years.
Pictured: Michele Grzebien-Huckson, Executive Director, Foundation of CKHA; Dr. Cassie Harnarine, Chair,
Board of Directors, Foundation of CKHA; Dr. Victor Varma, Dr. Pat Tomney and Dr. Main Yee, Radiologists,
CKHA, and CKHA Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign Co-Chairs; and Colin Patey, President &
CEO, CKHA.
