Brightshores Health System Owen Sound Foundation Guardian Angel (Photo provided by Brightshores Owen Sound Foundation)
The Guardian Angel Campaign is back this year in support of the hospital in Owen Sound.
Brightshores Owen Sound Foundation CEO Amy McKinnon says this fundraiser, which has been collecting donations for about 30 years during the holiday season, is aiming to raise funds for a new CT scanner for the hospital.
“A CT scanner is really a workhorse supporting a lot of our programs and lots of our patients and we really need a new CT scanner. It’s especially vital for our stroke program,” says McKinnon.
The current CT scanner at the hospital in Owen Sound is nearly 10-years-old and has performed more than 150,000 scans.
McKinnon says the foundation does not have a fundraising goal for this year as the Canada Post strike has made it difficult for people to send donations.
“We really rely on our donations to come in this time of year. We are so grateful for everyone who chooses to make a donation. This is one of our busiest times of the year for accepting donations and many people’s donations come in through the mail. The Canada Post strike of course has made that impossible, so it is really having a big impact on what we are able to raise,” says McKinnon.
She adds while donors are coming out in support of the hospital, as a result of the strike, the foundation has received half of the typical donations during the campaign.
“Our community is so wonderful. Everyone appreciates how vital healthcare is here in our community. Donors are making that extra effort, we are seeing an increase on donations online, we have been welcoming some donors who are choosing to come in and drop off their cheque or make a donation here in person. It’s been wonderful to see everyone,” says McKinnon.
She says those who would like to make a donation can visit the foundation website here, call 519-372-3925, make a donation in person at the foundation office at the hospital, or place a donation in the locked box in the hospital’s lobby.