QEH Auxiliary Surpasses $6 Million in Donations and Celebrates 40th Anniversary
July 4, 2022
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I – At a recent ceremony at Government House, hosted by the Honourable Antoinette Perry, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Auxiliary was recognized for surpassing $6 million in charitable giving to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in their 40th anniversary year.
During her remarks, Her Honour acknowledged the recent celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and connected the QEH Auxiliary members’ years of service to Her Majesty’s reign, noting that both share a similar sense of duty and devotion to one’s community.
QEH Foundation board chair and event emcee, Patsy MacLean, highlighted the many advancements in Island health care made possible through QEH Auxiliary donations.
“On behalf of the QEH Foundation Board, I extend our sincere thanks to all Auxiliary members and volunteers, past and present, for having achieved this $6 million milestone over their forty year history,” said MacLean. “Now that pandemic restrictions are lifting, we can at last acknowledge one of our lead donors, the QEH Auxiliary, in reaching this incredible milestone.”
The QEH Auxiliary began in 1981 before the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. It is a volunteer organization that provides funds, services, education and fellowship to staff and volunteers of the QEH. The Auxiliary raises a majority of its funds through operation of Lillibet’s Gift Shop, Royal Pantry Eatery and Auxiliary Coffee, all located in the main lobby of the hospital.
QEH Auxiliary President, Laura-Lee Lewis says the Auxiliary has over 30 dedicated members as well as shop volunteers and staff who are grateful for the opportunity to support the QEH while offering nutritious food, snacks and quality gift items to the thousands of health care workers, physicians, patients and their families who are in and around the hospital every day.
“Achieving the $6 million milestone is significant for our Auxiliary,” said Lewis. “Like many other organizations, the past few years were challenging and we truly want to salute our volunteers who have helped operate our shops during this difficult time.”
Honourable Ernie Hudson, PEI’s Minister of Health and Wellness, attended the ceremony to congratulate the Auxiliary members on their incredible achievements.
“On behalf of Islanders, we thank you for 40 years of dedication to helping all those who access the Queen Elizabeth Hospital,” said Minister Hudson. “The $6 million donated since the QEH opened in 1982 to support the purchase of new medical equipment, has impacted almost every department. The caring and welcoming hearts of the volunteers who work both for the Auxiliary, and in the QEH, certainly play an important role in the healing process for all who use the hospital and its services. In recognition of the Auxilliary’s exemplary service, the Province was pleased to provide a $50,000 gift in February 2021, to help the Auxiliary continue its good work throughout the pandemic.”
Recently, the QEH Auxiliary donated $145,000 to fund a new Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) system for the Provincial Laboratory at the QEH.
QEH Laboratory Manager, Shane Buchanan, attended the event to thank the QEH Auxiliary for this innovative equipment and highlighted its potential impact on the provincial laboratory.
“The LBC system will be an integral piece in supporting new testing initiatives and allow the lab to streamline and standardize the making of slides that will be read by pathologists to determine the presence or absence of cancerous cells,” says Buchanan. “The LBC system will also support the new HPV testing initiative and more information on this is expected in the coming months.”
QEH Auxiliary President, Laura-Lee Lewis, noted that the Auxiliary is always looking to welcome new volunteers and invites anyone interested in volunteering to call the QEH Auxiliary office at(902) 894-2197 or email QEHAuxiliary@gmail.com
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For more information:
Kathleen Murphy, Director of Communications
QEH Foundation
kxmurphy@ihis.org
902-894-2956
Harry MacLauchlan Memorial Golf Tournament raises a record $101,247 for the QEH Foundation
June 16, 2022
The Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation hosted the 19th annual Harry MacLauchlan ‘Great Day’ Fore Health Memorial Golf Tournament, presented by Fair Isle Ford, on June 15, 2022. The sunny skies at Belvedere Golf Club made for a ‘great day’ indeed, as 38 teams teed off in support of medical equipment needs at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The tournament reached a record-high fundraising total following a special donation from the MacLauchlan family. This gift was a true highlight of the day.
The Rotary Club set their sights on achieving $1 million in cumulative fundraising by the tournament’s 20th anniversary in 2023. After raising more than $101,247 this year, the current total is now more than $950,000, putting the event well on its way to reaching this incredible milestone next year.
With this incredible success, proceeds from this event will fully fund the purchase of hip arthroscopy equipment for the QEH, which is currently being borrowed from out-of-province. This surgical equipment allows doctors to view the hip joint and manage acute hip presentations, such as infections, without making a large incision. The cost for the required equipment is approximately $80,000.
This memorial tournament embodies many things that Harry MacLauchlan was passionate about. He was a proud member of the Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty, he fervently raised millions of dollars in support of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and his favourite sporting activity was golf. Rotarian and Event Co-Chair, Mike Hennessey, says it is wonderful to see so much support for this event in honour of Harry.
“This tournament is an opportunity to make a difference in Island health care and, at the same time, honour Harry’s incredible legacy.” says Hennessey. “This was an outstanding fundraising year and we’re so grateful to all participants, sponsors, donors and volunteers.”
Event sponsors include Presenting Sponsor Fair Isle Ford; Corporate Sponsors Canadian Tire and Island Petroleum; and Lifeline Sponsors Johnson Insurance, IG Wealth Management, Island Coastal Services, and Qualified Financial Services.
For more information:
Kathleen Murphy
Director, Communications
QEH Foundation
kxmurphy@ihis.org
902-894-2956
QEH Foundation’s Ultimate Shed Giveaway: Kids Edition
The QEH Foundation Ultimate Shed Giveaway brings together community-minded individuals in PEI’s construction, design, and building supply industry to raise funds for priority medical equipment needs at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The Ultimate Shed Project starts with the build of a backyard garden shed, but with a luxurious twist. The idea is to provide a perfect getaway right in your own backyard. This summer we are back with a brand new concept, the QEH Foundation Ultimate Shed Giveaway: Kids Edition! Proceeds from the sale of Ultimate Shed tickets will help fund the purchase of priority equipment needed in the Pediatric Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
QEH Foundation’s Big Day of Giving funds QEH Orthopedic Surgery Needs
May 26, 2022 –
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation’s Big Day of Giving took place on Wednesday, May 25th, and was broadcast live from the QEH raising $606,275, surpassing the funding goal for the purchase of medical equipment for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s orthopedic surgery department.
Patsy MacLean, Chair of the QEH Foundation Board, shares her excitement of the outcome of the QEH Big Day of Giving. “We are so grateful to donors who have responded in a big way to support critical needs for our QEH orthopedic surgery team, NICU, Physical Medicine, and Nursing Education. The equipment needs profiled added up to $566,000 alone, so, we are delighted with this outcome,” says MacLean.
Official media partners, Ocean 100 and HOT 105.5, broadcasted live from the QEH from early morning until the evening and Big Day ambassadors travelled the Island and collected donations from Souris to Montague to Tignish and all points in between.
A highlight of the day was when the Cymbria Lions Club members brought in a gift of $40,000 soon after NICU specialist, Dr. Beth Ellen Brown was interviewed on the radio. Their gift was to ensure the NICU Cerebral Function Monitoring System could be ordered right away, without delay. The first of its kind in PEI, this system will allow the NICU team to monitor brain activity to detect abnormalities in critically ill babies suspected of seizure activity.
The QEH Auxiliary donated $50,000 to fund one of two transport ventilators required for the cardio-respiratory department. Transport ventilators are used within the hospital when moving patients but also when transporting intubated patients off island. An off-island transport can take up to 5 hours one-way and manually bagging a patient for that duration is physically difficult on the respiratory therapist. While a patient is on a transport vent for a transfer off island, they receive precise ventilation and allows for titration of their oxygen requirements. Both ventilators are out of commission, so this urgent and critical need for a minimum of one was fulfilled by the QEH Auxiliary during Big Day.
QEH Foundation volunteers and staff accepted donations through phone calls, online gifts, and gifts through the mail leading up to the day and throughout the day. The QEH Foundation shared heartfelt messages from staff, patients, and donors throughout the day on social media.
“The pandemic has meant fewer community fundraising events in support of the QEH,” says MacLean. “We are truly grateful to everyone who supported this Big Day of Giving.”
It’s not too late to add your support QEH Big Day of Giving. Please call the QEH Foundation at 902-894-2425 or online at www.QEHBigDay.ca
For more information:
Kathleen Murphy
Director, Communications
QEH Foundation
902-894-2956
kxmurphy@ihis.org
QEH Big Day of Giving showcases Patient Care
May 19, 2022 – The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation is ready for its QEH Big Day of Giving happening this Wednesday, May 25th. This important day will celebrate Islanders coming together to support immediate medical equipment needs at the QEH, totaling more than $650,000. The dedicated team at the QEH provides care 24 hours a day; imagine the impact that can be had in the same amount of time.
“There are many ways to get involved in this Big Day,” says Patsy MacLean, Chair, QEH Foundation Board of Directors. “The QEH Foundation will be sharing heartfelt messages from staff, patients, and donors throughout the day on social media and Ocean 100 and HOT 105.5 will be broadcasting live from the QEH from 6 AM to 6 PM.”
“The Big Day will profile several grateful patients including 40 year old Michelle Massiah who shares how her recent hip replacement improved her ability to care for her young family,” says MacLean. “We’ll also introduce thirteen year old Abi McCarthy who praises pediatrics staff for helping her return to dance following an autoimmune disease diagnosis.”
Big Day ambassadors will be travelling the Island to collect donations and Foundation staff and volunteers will be prepared to accept phone calls, online gifts, and mail leading up to the day.
Islanders can show support by visiting the website at www.qehbigday.ca or calling 1-833-335-0545.
Donations made toward the QEH Big Day of Giving will support several provincial specialty areas of the hospital including orthopedic surgery.
Dr. Cai Wadden, orthopedic surgeon, says approximately 2,500 orthopedic surgeries are performed each year at the QEH and the department will benefit greatly from new equipment. “We currently need several pieces of equipment to expand our capabilities in knee and hip surgeries and reduce the physical strain on staff when assembling our trauma operating tables.” There are medical equipment needs throughout the QEH, including pieces in Physical Medicine, Nursing Education, and the Provincial Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
To donate to the QEH Big Day of Giving donate online at www.QEHBigDay.ca, call 902-894-2425, visit the QEH Foundation office, or mail your cheque to QEH Foundation, PO Box 6600, Charlottetown PE C1A 8T5.
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For more information, contact:
Kathleen Murphy
Director, Communications
QEH Foundation
902-894-2956
Orthopedic Surgery Equipment – $471,000
Equipment needed to expand capabilities including a new trauma table base to support the work of orthopedic surgery staff.
Physical Medicine Equipment – $41,226
Equipment needed to support people of all ages in regaining independence and improving their quality of life.
NICU Cerebral Function Monitoring System – $40,000
A Cerebral Function Monitoring System, the first of its kind in PEI, to monitor brain activity to detect abnormalities in critically ill babies suspected of seizure activity.
Nursing Education – $13,413.
When a medical emergency happens on the unit, everyone needs to be ready and this equipment will increase confidence for nurses caring for patients.
QEH Foundation launches the QEH Big Day of Giving
May 2, 2022 – The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation is excited to launch its QEH Big Day of Giving – 24 hours to have a BIG impact on health care at our Island’s largest hospital. Happening on Wednesday, May 25th, this important day will celebrate Islanders coming together to support immediate medical equipment needs at the QEH, totaling more than $650,000.
“It will be a day like no other,” says Patsy MacLean, Chair of the QEH Foundation Board of Directors. “We know that Islanders come together to take care of each other and right now, several departments need us to do just that. When many donations come together – BIG things happen.”
MacLean says the QEH Big Day of Giving will be a busy one. The QEH Foundation will be sharing heartfelt messages from staff, patients, and donors throughout the day on social media and the official media partners, Ocean 100 and HOT 105.5, will be broadcasting live from the QEH from 6 AM to 6 PM. Big Day ambassadors from the QEH Foundation will be travelling the Island to collect donations and Foundation staff and volunteers will be prepared to accept phone calls, online gifts, and mail leading up to the day.
Donations made toward the QEH Big Day of Giving will support several provincial specialty areas of the hospital including orthopedic surgery. Dr. Cai Wadden says approximately 2,500 orthopedic surgeries are performed each year at the QEH and the department will benefit greatly from new equipment.
“Having this new state-of-the-art equipment will keep the QEH on par with other provinces and ensure that we’re providing the highest level of care we can for Islanders while allowing them to stay here for their treatments,” says Dr. Wadden. “We currently need several pieces of equipment to expand our capabilities in knee and hip surgeries and reduce the physical strain on staff when assembling our trauma operating tables.”
A number of medical equipment pieces are also needed in Physical Medicine, Nursing Education, and the Provincial Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
To donate to the QEH Big Day of Giving visit www.QEHBigDay.ca, call 902-894-2425, visit the QEH Foundation office, or mail your cheque to QEH Foundation, PO Box 6600, Charlottetown PE C1A 8T5.
For more information, contact:
Kathleen Murphy
Director, Communications
QEH Foundation
902-894-2956
Donations Fund $1.2 Million Mammography Equipment for the QEH
March 4, 2022
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation is pleased to share that donations to the Annual Friends for Life Campaign have funded two new digital mammography machines for the diagnostic imaging department at the QEH.
Valerie Docherty, Campaign Chair, says she is not surprised that Islanders have come together, once again, to support this cause.
“I would like to thank every donor who responded to the need for mammography equipment and those who continue to donate toward other equipment priorities at our Island’s largest hospital,” says Docherty. “We look forward to celebrating the arrival of the new machines and sharing stories of many beautiful gifts made in support of mammography equipment, including a generous donation from Mary-Jean Irving/ Master Packaging Inc.”
The state-of-the-art mammography machines will replace the two current models at the QEH that are more than 12 years old. The newer machines have improved technology that will allow radiologists to more easily detect breast cancers. A component of the new machines will allow for tomosynthesis, which will assist with imaging of dense breast tissue and should decrease the number of biopsies that patients are subjected to.
Gifts made to the Annual Friends for Life Campaign continue to support critical needs for anesthesia, endoscopy, and the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre. The QEH Foundation Board and staff gratefully acknowledge the heartfelt community support that continues to advance health care at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
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For more information:
Kathleen Murphy
Director, Communications
QEH Foundation
kxmurphy@ihis.org
Over $76,000 Raised for QEH Mammography Equipment through Luxury “Willow Shed” Raffle
The QEH Foundation is delighted to announce that $76,575 was raised from the recent She Shed raffle. Generous sponsors and contributors ensured this shed was built and furnished at no cost to the Foundation. Proceeds from this raffle will support the purchase of new mammography equipment for the QEH at a cost of $1.2 million.
The Construction Association of PEI (CAPEI) partnered with the QEH Foundation in the development of this initiative. CAPEI’s training program and its Women in Construction committee facilitated the build of the She Shed with base building materials and labour provided by CAPEI’s training program.
The CAPEI’s Women in Construction Committee engaged major sponsors – Sherwood TimberMart, Arsenault Bros Construction and Plank & Pine Interior Design – along with many other sponsors and contributors who brought this to the luxurious prize to fruition.
“This project came together as a result of collaboration among the Construction Association of PEI, QEH Foundation, and sponsors who saw the vision of this unique initiative,” says Sam Sanderson, General Manager of the Construction Association of PEI. “We are proud to support the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation and we are grateful to see that the generous Island community made this so successful.”
MaryEllen Hughes, Director of Philanthropy at the QEH Foundation, says the support for this project was overwhelming. “We’re so grateful to our partners, sponsors, contributors, all ticket purchasers, and everyone who helped to spread the word,” says Hughes. “We are already talking to our partners about a similar project for our next raffle!”
The winning ballot was drawn live on Facebook on January 6, 2022. The winner is Linda Harris Ford of Cornwall, PEI.
For more information:
Kathleen Murphy
Director, Communications
QEH Foundation
kxmurphy@ihis.org
QEH Foundation Launches Campaign to Fund New Mammography Machines
and son, Jake(10) at their home in Brackley, PEI
CHARLOTTETOWN – The QEH Foundation launches its 2021-22 Annual Friends for Life campaign today with a goal of raising $1.2 million in support of new mammography equipment for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Mammography screens for breast cancer at an early stage, when treatment is most successful. Grateful patient, Kelly McEntee, is thankful for the role mammography played in detecting her breast cancer in February of this year.
“I got a mammogram in my early 40s as something proactive I could do for my health,” said McEntee. “Never in a million years did I think my first mammogram would result in a breast cancer diagnosis.”
A tumour was discovered toward the back on Kelly’s chest wall and a biopsy confirmed the early stages of cancer. Shortly thereafter, Kelly underwent a lumpectomy and 21 rounds of radiation. She rang the bell to signify the end of her cancer treatments at the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre just four months after her official diagnosis in early 2021.
“The key equipment for me, and what I think eventually saved my life, was the mammogram machine,” says McEntee. “If you can be part of a legacy of new equipment for the hospital, please give what you can.”
Campaign Chair, Valerie Docherty, says she is honoured to be involved with this year’s campaign and recognizes that it is one that many Islanders can connect to.
“With such a close community here in PEI, everyone knows of someone who has been impacted by breast cancer,” said Docherty. “Mammograms are the key to early detection, which we know can lead to improved outcomes for more than 100 Island women – and also the men – who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.”
The current mammography machines at the QEH are more than 12 years old and are reaching their end of life. New machines will have many improvements, including tomosynthesis technology that allows 3D imaging of dense breast tissue, which will reduce the need for invasive breast biopsies.
To kick-start the campaign, Kennedy Metals presented a gift of $25,000 and Phillips Auto Sales presented a donation for $5,000. The QEH Foundation thanks donors for their continuing generosity and is pleased with the support shown for digital mammography earlier this month by sponsors and ticketholders of the Yuletide Elimination Draw & Auction.
To donate to the QEH Foundation’s Friends for Life Campaign, please call the Foundation office at 902-894-2425, go online to www.qehfoundation.pe.ca or mail to the QEH Foundation, PO Box 6600, Charlottetown, PE C1A 8T5.
QEH Foundation Launches Ticket Sales for Virtual Yuletide Elimination Draw & Auction
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The QEH Foundation’s Yuletide Elimination Draw & Auction, presented by CN, will return for its second year on November 20th, 2021. This virtual event will once again replace the annual gala dinner and give ticket holders the opportunity to win fantastic prizes and bid in an exclusive silent auction, sponsored by Brighton Construction. Tickets are $250 each and can be purchased at yuletideauction.ca or by calling the QEH Foundation office at 902-894-2425.
The top three prizes in the elimination draw are (1) a 2022 Bayliner VR4 Outboard boat and trailer from Quartermaster Marine, valued at more than $50,000, (2) a $5,000 gift card from Canadian Tire Charlottetown, and (3) one roundtrip flight for two anywhere WestJet flies. Ticket holders can look forward to additional prize draws throughout the evening.
Tickets purchased before October 20th will be entered into an early bird draw, which has been newly introduced this year. The prize package includes a two-night stay in the one-of-a-kind “Floating Cottages on the Quay” on the historic Charlottetown waterfront and a gift certificate to enjoy a special meal at Peakes Quay Restaurant.
Patsy MacLean, QEH Foundation Board Chair, says the Island community has truly embraced this virtual event.
“We were thrilled with the success of last year’s event, which doubled ticket sales from our gala and raised a record amount to purchase medical equipment needed throughout the QEH,” said MacLean. “Funds raised through our 2021 event will help to purchase mammography equipment for the QEH breast screening service that supports so many Islanders. The response from our sponsors so far has been outstanding.”
The Digital Mammography Units currently needed at the QEH cost a total of $1.2 million. The new equipment will replace the units presently in use and deliver improved image quality and detection of abnormalities, allowing radiologists to diagnose asymptomatic patients with even greater accuracy. One of these new state-of-the-art units will be equipped with tomosynthesis, an advanced type of mammography that captures multiple cross-sectional images of the patient’s breast, in less time, and pinpoints the exact location of a breast abnormality by using computer analysis of x-rays taken from two different angles.
The QEH Foundation expresses their heartfelt thanks to Presenting Sponsor, CN, and Diamond Sponsor, Cavendish Farms, for continuing to support this important fundraising event for our Island’s main referral hospital.
Only 500 tickets will be sold for the Yuletide Elimination Draw & Auction. CBC’s Matt Rainnie will host the 90-minute virtual event that includes entertainment, touching patient stories, and a live elimination draw. Ticket holders are encouraged to watch the online broadcast but do not need to be watching in order to win elimination draw prizes.
For more information:
Kathleen Murphy
Director, Communications
QEH Foundation
kxmurphy@ihis.org
902-894-2956