AGH important to Carp residents too!

Feb 1, 2018

Susan Prior, and her late husband Jack, moved to Carp in 1987 after they fell in love with an old stone house, Oakleigh, while out looking at a brand new house. They had been living in a nice west-end neighbourhood in Ottawa but as soon as they saw the old stone house, and acres of farm and wetland surrounding the property, they knew it would be ‘home’.

Part of what made it ‘home’ was having a good hospital just down the road and also on the road to the lake. This was particularly important because Sue and Jack were raising four children.

“I remember several times when we raced off to the emergency department at AGH or stopped in while on the way home from the lake,” said Sue. “One child fell skiing at Pakenham, someone needed stitches and I have sought treatment there too”.

Now Sue says it is starting all over with several of her grandchildren needing the emergency department for cuts, swallowed lego and sports injuries.

Over the years Sue and Jack also had health issues of a more serious nature, not treatable at AGH. These reinforced in Sue a very strong commitment to good hospital and health care, so she supports several worthwhile charities including the Queensway Carleton Hospital, Regional Cancer Foundation, the Canadian Red Cross, Ottawa Heart Institute, as well as AGH FVM Foundation.

Sue was one of the first donors to ‘put herself in the picture’ by making a three year commitment to the diagnostic imaging campaign in late 2016. By pledging her support over several years, she has helped to pay off the new digital x-ray and ultrasound machines, and also shown her support for AGH getting a CT scan, provided we can raise the $2 million and gain approval from the government.

If you want to join Sue and “put yourself in the picture” with a one-time gift, monthly donation or multi-year pledge, please contact Al Roberts, Managing Director, AGH-FVM Foundation, at 613-256-2500 or aroberts@agh-fvm.com

Betty Preston Thanks Almonte General Hospital Supporters

Jan 19, 2018

Thank You to Almonte General Hospital Supporters

In December, I wrote to many of you sharing my personal story of how important our Hospital and Manor are to my family and me.

Health care is something that we can never take for granted. That’s why I’ve been committed to serving both on the Hospital board of directors and now on the Foundation board. Ensuring that the amazing doctors and staff in Almonte have the best equipment with which to care for our patients and residents is something that we can all help ensure.

No matter how big or small, whether you give once a year, monthly donations or participate in one of our many events, I want to thank you on behalf of my board colleagues and the staff of the Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation. Your support is having a major impact on patient and resident care.

It would appear that our seasonal appeal letter raised close to $75,000. This brings our total towards the new diagnostic imaging equipment to approximately $1.4 million. We still have a ways to go to reach our goal of $4 million, but please know that your recent donations are much appreciated.

Best wishes for a healthly & happy 2018
Betty Preston
AGH-FVM Foundation Board Member

My Story

I moved to Mississippi Mills almost 30 years ago with my husband Ernie. Together, we watched our community grow and took comfort seeing the Almonte General Hospital expanding to meet our changing health-care needs. As a pharmacist here in Almonte, I became a part of many people’s health-care stories…maybe even yours.

Ernie and I have used the Hospital for everything from physio to pancreatitis, and we’ve always received the very best of care. In fact, I’ve had so many joint replacements at the big hospitals in Ottawa that my daughters call me Robo-Mom. I always appreciate coming home to our hospital afterwards. Thanks to the care I’ve received at AGH, I’m still an active volunteer in the Hospital Pharmacy, have served on the Hospital board for nine years, and am now a member of the Foundation Board of Directors.

Earlier this year, the Hospital urgently needed to replace both the stationary and portable X-ray machines and acquire two new digital ultrasound machines. The X-ray suite also had to be renovated to meet the new radiation safety codes. These purchases were urgent because the existing X-ray and ultrasound machines were 9 – 10 years old and the manufacturers no longer sold replacement parts.

For someone like me (who has had more X-rays and ultrasounds than I can count), these new diagnostic tools are really good news! I used to cart a big envelope of X-ray film to my specialist appointments. Now, the technologist gives me a disk or transmits my pictures right to my doctors’ office. My specialist is pleased because, like a digital camera, the quality of digital X-rays and ultrasounds is much clearer. He can now get a really good look at what’s going on and determine the best course of treatment for me. Plus, I’m now exposed to 70% less radiation.

With 41% of all emergency room visits requiring some sort of diagnostic tests, I’ll bet you or someone you love may have already benefited from this new equipment too.

The Hospital also wants to install a CT scanner. It would allow doctors to have a closer look at bones, internal organs or even blood vessels. I can tell you that being transported to and from another hospital for a CT scan can be very uncomfortable and no fun at all. If Ernie or I have a stroke, heart attack or a serious accident, I want a CT scanner right here so as not to spend precious time going to Ottawa or Smiths Falls. Don’t you?

The new diagnostic machines (X-rays, ultrasound, CT scanner) will cost $4 million. Yes, it’s a lot of money but you and I need this equipment. We need to know that if our child, grandchild, spouse or parent is brought to the Hospital, they’ll have access to the tests doctors need to provide a fast, accurate diagnosis.

Did you know that the provincial government does not provide funding for replacement or new equipment? All hospital equipment is purchased with donated dollars. We can feel really proud of having such great care at AGH and Fairview Manor because our community is working together to help the Hospital and Manor get the equipment the staff need to look after us.

This is why the Almonte General Hospital-Fairview Manor Foundation (AGH-FVM) launched the “Put Yourself in the Picture” campaign last spring, and has already raised $1.3 million.

Ernie and I have supported the Hospital through the AGH-FVM Foundation for years. This year, we increased our support to help purchase the new diagnostic machines (X-ray and ultrasound). Honestly, we are proud to know that our contribution is helping our family, neighbours and friends and may even save a life one day.

Please join us by making as meaningful a donation or pledge as you can to support the “Put Yourself in the Picture” campaign this Christmas. Take a few moments right now to send in your gift and “put yourself in the picture.” You can even make monthly contributions if that’s easier for you. Let’s all do what we can to ensure that our own, or someone else’s health-care story will be a better one.

Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy 2018,
Betty Preston

Almonte Shoppers “in the picture”

Dec 22, 2017

The Almonte Shoppers Drug Mart contributed over $5,000 in 2017 in support of the “Put Yourself in the Picture” campaign. Shoppers was the title sponsor of the annual Mississippi Mills River Run and Walk which took place in September.

Rina Houri, the owner/pharmacist and her wonderful staff also encouraged donations in November as part of their annual Women’s Health campaign with proceeds benefiting the Diagnostic Imaging campaign, specifically helping to purchase the two new Ultrasound machines.

Almonte Civitan “in the picture”

Dec 15, 2017

Close to $120,000! That’s how much the Civitan Club of Almonte has contributed to the Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation since the Foundation began keeping computerized records in 2003.

So, it’s no surprise that Civitan would have chosen to “put themselves in the picture” this past year in support of the AGH’s diagnostic imaging campaign. The club’s 2017 support totalled close to $10,000. This came by way of sponsorships, participation in events, In Memorial donations, and, of course the wonderful tribute evening they coordinated for long-time member Eric Pottle, with proceeds benefitting the DI campaign.

According to Civitan President Marsha Guthrie, “As a service organization, Civitan, seeks to meet as many needs as possible. Almonte General Hospital has proven itself to provide the quality care so necessary to all us and the new diagnostic imaging equipment will only make it better!

Over the years, the Almonte Civitan club has provided generous support to the Hospital and Manor, as have many of their members. The club made a major commitment to the Quality Care for Life campaign in 2004, making the club one of the campaign’s earliest supporters. They’ve also funded various pieces of equipment over the years like a special electric bed in 2007.

“I’ve worked in the charitable sector for over 20 years and this Almonte club is a community treasure,” said Foundation Managing Director, Al Roberts. “Having been a guest at several of their meetings, I’ve seen firsthand how their comradery, enthusiasm and sense of fun are always on display. Our patients and residents are really fortunate to benefit from their ongoing support.”

Service clubs, church groups, community organizations and neighbourhood s are invited to “put themselves in the picture” in support of new diagnostic imaging equipment at our Hospital.

If you want to join the Almonte Civitan and “put yourself in the picture”, please contact Al Roberts, Managing Director, AGH-FVM Foundation, at 613-256-2500 or aroberts@agh-fvm.com

Anne Mason “in the picture”

Dec 11, 2017

Anne Mason distinctly remembers walking up Mill Street and deciding yes, this is a town that I could live in. It had a certain feel that she liked. That was 21 years ago, and she’s never regretted her decision once.

Anne loves living in Almonte because of all the wonderful things the community has to offer including: arts, history, friendly, engaged neighbours and a wonderful hospital. “Having the Hospital here provides me with a level of comfort,” said Anne. “Of all the institutions in town, I think it’s the most important.”

This is somewhat surprising considering she hasn’t had to use the Hospital too often. While visiting the new Ultrasound suite prior to making her donation this week, Anne did recall a visit many years ago that she shared. Anne and Ultrasound technologist Angie Crites laughed about patients having to sit waiting for the specialist to arrive from Ottawa, literally bursting to go to the bathroom but the thinking back then was that having a full bladder meant the images would be of a better quality. “I had to pee so badly, but they wouldn’t even let me go for a little relief; I just sat there with my legs crossed hoping I was next up for my examination.” And when Anne fell out of a tree that she was pruning, the staff in Emergency moved very quickly to treat her before giving the lecture about not climbing trees!

Having the Hospital right here close to home is important. Anne’s doctor, Ursula McGarry, is part of the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team so most of her health care needs can be addressed in the community. She thinks that makes a big difference. “Everything is flexible and personal, probably because they are caring for their friends and neighbours,” thinks Anne.

She remembers one of her friends telling her that when there was a family health emergency recently, living midway between Almonte and Ottawa she didn’t immediately call 911 or rush into Ottawa. Instead, her only thought was let’s get to the Almonte Hospital, they’ll know what to do!

Although a donor for some years, Anne has now “put herself in the picture” with a five-year pledge to the diagnostic imaging campaign. Pledges are particularly important because it helps the Foundation plan ahead for the purchase of the CT scan, which still needs to be approved by the Ministry of Health & Long-term Care.

Donors can “put themselves in the picture” by making a one-time gift, becoming a monthly donor or committing to a multi-year pledge. All donations are tax deductible, which is often an important benefit at this time of year.

If you want to join Anne and “put yourself in the picture”, please contact Al Roberts, Managing Director, AGH-FVM Foundation, at 613-256-2500 or aroberts@agh-fvm.com

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