Queen Elizabeth Hospital needs new CT simulator
A video celebration will be held in place of annual telethon
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation continues to receive support to fund the purchase of a new CT simulator for the P.E.I. Cancer Treatment Centre in Charlottetown.
Even though the annual QEH/Eastlink Telethon was cancelled, this year’s supporters will be celebrated in an upcoming video that will be available on Eastlink Community TV’s Island View as well as on the foundation’s Facebook page.
Ed Lawlor, chairman of the foundation, says the celebration video will still include some telethon elements such as an interview with a grateful patient and greetings from supportive businesses and community members.
Lawlor said the Eastlink broadcast will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2 while the video celebration will be available on the foundation’s Facebook page at 7:30 p.m.
Bruce MacLean, manager of Eastlink programming in P.E.I., says host Matt Beardsley will interview Tracey Comeau, CEO of the foundation, Dr. Larry Pan, radiation oncologist and head of the P.E.I. Cancer Treatment Centre, and, Marlene MacDonald, telethon host for the past 22 years.
“Eastlink Community TV has always enjoyed a wonderful partnership with the QEH Foundation, and this is our way to continue our support,’’ MacLean said. “Equipment priorities will be always important to Islanders and by showcasing their video, we can still celebrate the many donors and event organizers who have been part of the telethon over the years.’’
The main focus of the foundation is to complete funding for the CT simulator for the treatment centre – a campaign that began during the foundation’s Friends for Life drive last fall.
To date, about $1.35 million of the $1.5 million cost of a new simulator has been raised.
Anything above and beyond $1.5 million will support equipment required for the ease back phase of the hospital’s COVID-19 response, such as new system attachments to restore the use of nitrous oxide for pain relief in pediatrics and the labour and delivery unit.
Donors can support the foundation’s efforts by visiting www.qehfoundation.pe.ca, through mail or by calling the foundation office at 902-894-2425.