Hospital foundation raising money for MRI

The Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation, which has already been tasked with raising $10 million to help build a new emergency ward, is kicking in another $5 million to construct an MRI suite at the 53-year-old facility.

Last March, the province announced a $30.6-million expansion of the Langley hospital’s emergency department, with Fraser Health chipping in $20.06 million toward this project and the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation contributing $10 million.

The expansion would increase the number of emergency beds to 49 from 31.

On Monday, the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation upped its fundraising goal to $15 million to pay for an MRI machine and suite.

“Fraser Health currently has the second-longest wait times (in B.C.) for patients needing MRI scans,” said Vivian Smith, executive director of the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation. “Currently, hospital in-patients and out-patients needing MRI scans are required to travel to Abbotsford or to Surrey. The average wait time for Langley residents requiring an MRI is 18 months.”

The new MRI will be operational in 2019, while the emergency department is slated to open in fall 2020.

The fundraising initiative kicked off Monday with the announcement of two huge donations.

Maria Martini and Allan Skidmore announced their families’ gifts, $5 million and $2 million, respectively, toward the campaign.

“We are grateful to the Martini and Skidmore families for their generosity,” said Phil Jackman, campaign chair for the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation’s emergency response campaign. “The people of Langley — one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities — desperately need a new emergency department. ”