It is with great excitement that East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH) announces the completion of the MRI: An Image of Health Campaign to bring a permanent MRI to the East Kootenay. Originally scheduled to run for 18 months, the campaign was completed in just six months!

The annual Starlite Campaign, running from November 1 to December 31, raised over $575,000 towards the MRI, almost quadrupling the campaign goal of $150,000! This record-breaking campaign was possible as a result of the entire East Kootenay community coming together with overwhelming support for the MRI.

We saw large contributions from the Kimberley Health Care Auxiliary, the Niedermayer family, the Invermere Health Care Auxiliary and an anonymous donor. In addition we saw families come together to light a stars for the holidays and over $63,000 raised from donations under $2,500, lighting 25 community stars.

“We were amazed to see how all communities throughout the East Kootenay came together over the holiday season to support our Starlite Campaign. The community understood the need for a permanent MRI in the East Kootenay and we saw that gifts at all levels can make a difference and together we can improve healthcare for everyone in the East Kootenay,” said Cassandra Schwarz, EKFH Executive Director.

“This is a tremendous achievement for the East Kootenay Foundation for Health and shows the dedication this invaluable partner has to supporting health care services for residents across the East Kootenay,” said Interior Health Board director Dennis Rounsville. “It also serves as yet another testament to the generosity of our residents, businesses, and community organizations who have stepped up once again to support our regional hospital.”

The MRI is scheduled for installation for spring 2018. Scott Edmonstone, Health Service Director, IH East Diagnostic Imaging Services stated, “We are currently completing the selection process for the MRI and have confirmed the concept design. The next phase will be to finalize engineering drawings and go out to tender for construction. Ground breaking is expected for spring 2017.”

EKFH would like to thank the entire East Kootenay community for its support. We would not have been able to hit this milestone without the generosity of all those who gave to the MRI: An Image of Health Campaign. Together we can truly improve healthcare for all residents of the East Kootenay.

To learn more about the East Kootenay Foundation for Health please visit our website www.ekfh.ca.

Lead image: Left to right: Christine Hoechsmann, EKFH Board; Scott Edmonstone, IH Diagnostic Imaging Director; Karyn Morash, EKRH Acute Health Services Director; Russ Colombo, EKFH Board; Mike Calder, EKFH Board; Dennis Rounsville, IH Board; Wes Rogers, EKFH Board Chair; Cassandra Schwarz, EKFH Executive Director; Brian Clifford, EKFH Former Board Chair; Theresa Larson, EKFH Board.

EKFH

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