Phones were ringing, drivers were honking with support, and donations came in all day long at the Moose FM Radiothon to Back the Cat on Friday, Aug. 11
As the Radiothon wrapped up at 6 p.m., the total raised was over $34,000, with some donations still being counted.
The money will go to purchase a “CT” or “Cat scanner” for North Hastings Hospital. North Hastings District Hospital Auxiliary volunteers gathered donations at a booth at Paul Price Ford and over the phone at the Moose FM station.
The Auxiliary’s Deb Speck said she heard clearly from callers that there’s a great need for a Cat scan here, as it will end their need to travel to other communities for a scan.
“They’re telling stories about (currently) having to travel an hour and a half away at least (to get a scan) and making it a whole day (trip),” she said. We’re looking forward to having our Cat scan in Bancroft.”
Many community members challenged others to match their own donations. A team of Bancroft Scotiabank employees, who dropped by Paul Price Ford, encouraged others in the finance industry to donate.
Scotiabank’s Jenn Armstrong said it felt great to support a campaign for needed hospital equipment.
A Cat scanner is a machine that takes three-dimensional images that can help doctors detect brain hemorrhages, blood clots and other medical conditions.
“We understand and feel passionate about the fact that the Cat Scan is desperately needed in our area, as we’re so far, far away from everything,” she said. “So, we wanted to be part of it.”
Donations are still being accepted for the Back the Cat campaign. They can be made online through the Auxiliary’s Canada Helps page.
The Radiothon, and other Back the Cat fundraisers this year, are part of efforts to raise the final $300,000 needed in the overall $2.5 million campaign.
More photos from the event can be seen here.