Orillia businesses have raised over $25,000 toward the $700,000 cost of a new digital mammography machine for Soldiers' Memorial Hospital in Orillia.
HGR Graham Partners got the ball rolling in December, donating $10,000 and issuing a challenge to local businesses.
Mark and Leah Clancy of Peak Engineering and Construction Ltd. met the challenge with a $5,000 donation.
"The OSMH Foundation is a great cause and we are proud to support our local hospital," said Leah Clancy.
“It’s really important to us to support causes like the campaign for digital mammography. IIt’s the season of giving and we hope that other businesses in our community will also accept the challenge and support our hospital.”
Since the challenge was issued, more than $25,000 was donated by businesses and individuals in the community including lawyer William Holdsworth.
“This is a cause that is close to my heart," he said.
"I lost a sister to breast cancer and my elderly mother had breast cancer as well, but because of early detection she is a survivor. Digital mammography will benefit so many women in our community and I’m proud to support a campaign that will help save lives.”
Cancer survivor Gini Stringer shared her story to support the campaign's $700,000 fundraising goal.
She was first diagnosed when she was 39.
"It felt like a death sentence," she said in an appeal letter.
"My youngest was only three years old … and I was afraid. Afraid that I wouldn’t see my four wonderful children grow up. Afraid I wouldn’t see my three daughters walk down the aisle . . . that I wouldn't’t even see my little guy graduate from high school. "
Stringer credits her survival to an early diagnosis.
Digital mammography is one of the most effective methods for breast cancer screening as it allows for enhanced interpretation and manipulation of images.
The Orillia hospital currently uses 18-year old film-based mammography for cancer screening.
