The SPECT-CT scanner marks the largest fundraiser for a single piece of medical equipment that the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation has ever attempted at a $2.9-million total.
The foundation launched its annual winter fundraiser mid November, calling it 'Imaging Seeing Beyond to Save Lives,' referencing the advanced imaging quality of the SPECT-CT scanner compared to its CT counterpart.
The scanner, primarily used for cancer staging and assessing ongoing treatments, reveals characteristics of diseases with information on organ size, tissue density and localization. The device works through imaging organ systems after a patient has been injected with small amounts of radioactive tracers.
"We feel somewhat confident going in uncharted territory because the community has been so generous in the last couple of years," said Barney Ellis-Perry, the foundation's CEO. "This year alone since April 1, we raised over $2 million for equipment."
This would be the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital's second SPECT-CT scanner, following the province contributing $2.31 million to partially fund one earlier this year, while the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District funded the additional $1.14 million.
The reason the cost is so high is the machine requires a lead-lined room due to its use of radiation. Since the old CT scanners it's replacing didn't use nuclear imaging, it needs to be built from scratch.
In a press release announcing the campaign, the foundation shared the story of a Vancouver Island patient who was diagnosed thanks to the scanner. The patient suffered from numerous issues, including extreme fatigue, kidney stones and calcium build-up on his heart. After using the SPECT-CT machine, doctors were able to confirm a parathyroid condition and treat him.
The second device is expected to increase capacity by at least 40 per cent, up to 8,000 estimated nuclear medicine scans each year. According to Ellis-Perry, the wait times currently are up to six months.
"We're working hard to equalize health care … We're working hard to get it to the level where it should be at for this community and having up-to-date imaging equipment is a part of that. They shouldn't have to wait six months, they shouldn't be in pain, they shouldn't not know what's going on."
Contributions can be made at www.nanaimohospitalfoundation.com/imaging, or by calling 250-755-7690.
"In an ideal world, we'd like to have [the fundraiser] done by spring of next year, but this is a really big lift for us," Ellis-Perry said.
Donations can also be made at the foundation's Light the Trees event on Friday, Nov. 29, from 5-7 p.m. outside the NRGH main entrance. The annual family-friendly celebration is centred around flipping a switch to light up the trees around the hospital, kicking off the holiday season. There will be music, children’s activities, a toy drive and a visit by Santa Claus.
