Diagnostic Imaging Campaign a Tremendous Success

Diagnostic Imaging Campaign a Tremendous Success with a Second Gift from the Haliburton Forest & Cockwell Family

X-Ray Suite added to Diagnostic Imaging upgrades at HHHS thanks to a generous community

Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation’s Campaign Chair Tayce Wakefield announced today that with a second gift of $500,000 from the Cockwell Family and Haliburton Forest, and the incredible generosity of the entire community, the “Here for You in the Highlands” campaign has been a huge success, exceeding the initial $4.3 million goal for CT, Mammography, new Ultrasound, Picture Archiving Communications System and related technologies, raising $6,225,000 to date – enough to also provide for an urgently-needed new x-ray suite.  

Haliburton Forest’s Managing Director, Malcolm Cockwell, said, “The importance of the Diagnostic Imaging Campaign's objectives was clear to our group from the first discussion with HHHS: increasing the capability and capacity of the hospital is critical to the well-being of our employees, clients, their families, visitors, and all other residents in the region. This resulted in our initial gift at the beginning of this campaign.

“Over the last few months, the generosity of the community has been astounding: large gifts and small gifts together have enabled this immensely positive investment in our local health services. The generosity of the community is such a clear demonstration of the importance of this initiative, that we are motivated to make a second gift.”

“On behalf of my colleagues at Haliburton Forest and the other members of the Cockwell Family, I am pleased to share that we will be doubling our initial gift of $500,000 by contributing an additional $500,000 to the HHHS Foundation in support of the Here for You Diagnostic Imaging Campaign,” stated Cockwell.

Wakefield said, “We appreciate the generosity of the Cockwell Family and Haliburton Forest for taking us “over the top” with their second gift; the incredible support from over 650 donors; and the leadership of the volunteer Campaign Cabinet (Greg Bishop, Kurtis Bishop, David Blodgett, Michael Harrison, Peter Henry, Pat Kennedy, Klara Oyler, Keith Sjögren, Roger Trull, Dale Walker) who have worked so hard to make this campaign a success.”

Foundation Executive Director, Melanie Klodt Wong said, “In mid-September, Christine Tutssel and Rob Holl announced that they would match all gifts to the end of October up to $500,000.  This has inspired more donors and we are pleased to announce that their matching challenge has been fully met.”

“It has been such an incredible campaign, with the breadth of support from the community including the amazing group of volunteers I’ve had the pleasure to work with.  Without them, this would not have been possible, and definitely not at the speed at which it was accomplished.”

Haliburton Highlands Health Services CEO Veronica Nelson said, “Adding these diagnostic imaging technologies and services is the first step forward in our plans to build capacity in and expand healthcare services in the County.  Our community deserves access to excellent local care. We thank every donor for their support in helping us optimize health and wellbeing in the County.”

HHHS Foundation Board Chair David Blodgett said, “With the province requiring the community to fund the majority of capital investments, the Foundation’s core purpose is to work closely with the community to raise the necessary funds to support and enable HHHS to better serve healthcare needs for acute care, long-term care and community services.  This campaign's record-breaking success has broadened our donor base and raised funds like never before and we look forward to working with all of our donor partners to build on this success as we forge ahead. We thank everyone who treasures the time they spend in the Highlands for their support.”

Haliburton County Council Warden Liz Danielsen said, “Improving healthcare locally is an important enabler for community, social and economic development.  County Council voted to support this campaign because we recognized the benefit of keeping our emergency services close to home and to providing a foundation of broad-based support. Because of this new technology, our EMS teams have improved response times to local emergencies by 28% (CTAS1), assuring residents that more ambulances are readily available across the county. Working together, we are able to build a healthier community.”

*Total funds raised include gifts pledged and received for the campaign. For further information, please contact Foundation Executive Director Melanie Klodt Wong at mklodtwong@hhhs.ca