The Almonte General Hospital and Fairview Manor (AGH/FVM) Foundation launched its latest capital campaign with a big head start.

An outstanding $950,000 in donations was unveiled during the official launch of the Put Yourself in the Picture campaign on Wednesday, May 10 at the Almonte Civitan Club. The amount is approximately 24 per cent of the $4 million goal.

Lead by a group of dedicated volunteers, AGH is going out into the community to ask people to donate.

AGH/FVM vice chair Bob Brouillard stressed AGH looks to its foundation for 100 per cent funding, in order to ensure staff has access to reliable, up-to-date equipment.

The Put Yourself in the Picture is a campaign to raise $4 million to ensure AGH patients have access to the best diagnostic tools available.

To date, AGH has purchased two new digital X-ray machines, one stationary and one portable, and two new ultrasound machines. The total cost of the equipment is $1.8 million.

“They are already in place,” Brouillard said, and “our goal is to pay off the loans right away.”

The remaining $2.2 million is for a CT scanner – subject to approval of the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and the Ministry of Healthand Long-Term Care.

Brouillard explained the $2.2 million is for the CT scanner and the work required to make the designated space ready for the machine.

He added “part of the approval process depends on confirming a funding source.”

by Tara Gesner