Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation Launches “Friends for Life” Campaign with $150,000 Gift from QEH Auxiliary
DECEMBER 3, 2024
Charlottetown, PE – The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Foundation has officially launched its annual Friends for Life Campaign, aiming to raise $1.5 million to fund the replacement of critical medical equipment in the Urology department. The campaign received a strong start with a $150,000 leadership gift from QEH Auxiliary, contributing 10 per cent of the goal.
Funds raised will go towards a specialized operating room table and advanced equipment that enable urological surgical teams to diagnose and treat patients with conditions such as kidney stones, bladder cancer, and prostate disease. As PEI’s main referral hospital, QEH specialists perform more than 700 of these surgeries annually. The current equipment has reached its end of life, making its replacement critical to continuing top-quality, local care.
The QEH Foundation invites Islanders, local businesses and organizations to contribute to the 2024 Friends for Life campaign. To avoid potential delays in tax receipting, with the on-going Canada Post strike, the QEH Foundation recommends donating online or in-person to ensure timely contributions for a 2024 charitable tax receipt.
“We are incredibly grateful to the QEH Auxiliary for their generous support,” said QEH Foundation CEO, Tracey Comeau. “The vast majority of medical equipment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital is funded strictly by donations from groups, businesses, and individuals, which underscores the vital role Islanders play in the delivery of healthcare close to home.”
Online donations can be made securely at www.qehfoundation.pe.ca, by phone at 902-894-2425, or in person at the QEH Foundation office. The QEH Foundation is grateful for the donations received to date. Together, we can ensure QEH remains equipped to meet the needs of Islanders today and in the future.
Yuletide Gala Auction Raises $409,221 for Life-Saving Technology at QEH
November 23, 2024
From left to right: John Scales, Board Chair, QEH Foundation; Mark Cormier, VP of Community Relations, Cavendish Farms; Leigh Read, grateful patient; Dan Whelan, successful bidder can of English Style Beans $5,300; Tracey Comeau, CEO, QEH Foundation at the 2024 QEH Yuletide Gala
Charlottetown, PE — The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Foundation’s annual Yuletide Gala Auction lit up the Delta Hotels by Marriot Prince Edward on Saturday evening, raising an extraordinary $409,221 to fund the GI Genius, a cutting-edge AI-powered system that enhances the detection of colorectal cancer.
Featuring an incredible array of items and experiences, this year’s auction had something to captivate everyone in the room. From exclusive Island getaways to beautifully crafted artisan pieces, the offerings showcased the generosity and talent of the community while fueling an exciting night of bidding.
The night’s most poignant moment came when grateful patient Leigh Read took the stage. Leigh shared his story of resilience and gratitude for the QEH healthcare team, whom he described as his “Wonderwall” for providing unwavering care and support during his six-year battle with serious health challenges.
“This hospital didn’t just care for my body; it supported my spirit,” said Leigh. “I am not sure I would be here with you today if not for the dedication of this hospital and everyone in it. You are all heroes, and I am eternally thankful I get to be here tonight to celebrate you.”
Leigh then invited all healthcare heroes in the room to stand and be recognized, leading to a heartfelt round of applause that filled the room with emotion.
As a light-hearted gesture to kick off the auction, organizers auctioned a can of English Style Beans after Leigh shared a story about dropping a can of beans on his foot that would not heal, resulting in a hospital visit where tests revealed numerous health issues.
Cavendish Farms, a steadfast supporter of the Yuletide Gala Auction, once again served as the presenting sponsor, underscoring their ongoing commitment to advancing health care on PEI.
“The success of tonight’s event is a testament to our incredible community” said John Scales, Chair of the QEH Foundation Board. “This support ensures that Island patients can continue to receive exceptional care, right here at home.”
The QEH Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to the donors, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees who made this evening unforgettable. Together, we are creating a brighter, healthier future for all Islanders.
“Pine Haven” Luxury Shed Raffle to Support Breast Health Care
JUNE 13, 2024
CHARLOTTETOWN – The Ultimate Shed Giveaway returns with this year’s luxury backyard getaway, Pine Haven. Valued at almost $40,000, Pine Haven is a backyard paradise being raffled off to support breast health care at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). Tickets are available now at the QEH Foundation’s office and website, and at Sherwood Timber Mart where the shed can be viewed.
This year’s shed comes insulated, wired, beautifully decorated and fully furnished – complete with a bed to be the perfect guesthouse! The shed includes free delivery, on-site trenching and electrical hook-up within Prince Edward Island.
The Ultimate Shed Giveaway is a passion project for Jillian Sexton of Sherwood Timber Mart, Jennie Arsenault of Arsenault Bros. Construction, and Sara Dykerman of Plank & Pine Interior Design. Together these women have sponsored the project while dedicating their time and construction savvy to bring their vision to life.
In just three years the fundraiser has raised over $160,000 to support priority medical equipment needs at the QEH, primarily breast health care. Proceeds have helped to fund a new mammography machine and, just last year, equipment for the Provincial Laboratory that is used to process tissue samples from breast biopsies.
Greg Dobbin, Chief Technologist of the QEH Histology Laboratory says the automated tissue-cassette printer purchased last year with support from the Ultimate Shed is improving patient safety.
“All surgical specimens submitted to the Histology Lab are sampled and processed within these tissue-cassettes,” says Dobbin. “Surgical specimens can include such specimens as breast tissue, gastro-intestinal specimens, skin biopsies and many others. Automated printers eliminate the risk of human error that can occur when items are labelled by hand. Moreover, they provide the ability to print a unique two-dimensional bar-code on each specimen cassette. These new state-of-the-art cassette printers allow us to avoid the risk of potentially catastrophic mis-match errors thus ensuring the highest degree of patient safety for Islanders.”
MaryEllen Hughes, Director of Philanthropy for the QEH Foundation, says the Ultimate Shed Giveaway is a testament to the good that can be done in the community when we work together.
“Every year the shed is incredibly designed and built,” says Hughes. “Thanks to the supporters who purchase tickets, and the incredible construction, design and home furnishing industry for ensuring that 100% of all materials, decor and labour are donated or sponsored. We are so grateful that such generous people are working together each year on this project to support Islanders and advance the exceptional care offered at the QEH.”
Proceeds from the Pine Haven shed will support critical medical equipment needs for the QEH to support breast health. You can view photos of the shed online or in person at Sherwood Timber Mart at 167 Minna Jane Drive in Charlottetown.
Ultimate Shed Giveaway tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100 and can be purchased online until July 2nd at QEHFoundation.pe.ca. You can also purchase tickets in person until July 5th at 10:00 AM at the QEH Foundation office or Sherwood Timber Mart. The draw will be held at Sherwood Timber Mart on July 5th at 12:00pm and will be broadcasted live on the QEH Foundation Facebook page.
For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
Kathleen Murphy
Director, Communications
QEH Foundation
kxmurphy@ihis.org
902-894-2956
Peter & Karen MacDonald Establish Named Endowment with the QEH Foundation
JUNE 13, 2024
CHARLOTTETOWN – Thanks to a $1 million gift from Peter and Karen MacDonald, Islanders can look forward to ongoing advancements in cancer care for years to come.
With this gift, Peter and Karen MacDonald have established an endowment fund from which the annual income will fund advanced equipment, technology, and other initiatives for the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre. In recognition of this inspiring commitment to cancer care in Prince Edward Island, the Centre’s CT Simulator Suite was named in their honour.
The Peter and Karen MacDonald CT Simulator Suite was unveiled today at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital during the public announcement of the couple’s $1 million donation. John Gaudet, chair of the QEH Foundation Board, thanked the MacDonalds for their commitment to the Island’s main referral hospital and home of the provincial cancer treatment centre.
“We are very honored that Peter and Karen recognized the need and made this commitment through action that will help our cancer care teams deliver the very best care to our Island residents. Their generous gift is an inspiration to all Islanders.”
Dr. Colin Brown, Provincial Department Head of Oncology and a Radiation Oncologist at the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre (CTC), noted that the CTC has approximately 20,000 patient visits per year, and the complexity of cancer care increasingly requires advanced technologies.
“Advancements in cancer treatment are helping our patients live longer, more comfortable lives. We are grateful that our Island community is ensuring we have the ability to access technologies required to continue making this a reality,” says Brown. “On behalf of the entire team at the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre and all other QEH departments involved in supporting our work, thank you for this amazing gift.”
Peter and Karen MacDonald have a deep admiration for Prince Edward Island and have been generous supporters of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for many years. Peter served on the QEH Foundation Board of Directors from 2016 until 2021 and was treasurer for the last two years of his term. Karen spent her entire career in radiology at Charlottetown Hospital, QEH and PCH. She worked in general radiography and angiography at QEH, and then 25 years in mammography at PCH and QEH.
Together they owned the MacDonald Automotive Group consisting of D. Alex MacDonald Ford for the past 40 years, Fair Isle Ford Charlottetown and Montague for the past 18 years, and Summerside Hyundai for ten years. Their philanthropy is a way to give back to the Island community that has so generously supported their businesses over that time.
Peter spoke at the event thanking staff of these companies, whom many attended the celebration, noting their dedication has contributed to the success of their business, along with their many loyal customers. Peter also thanked his late parents, D. Alex and Kathleen MacDonald, who also created an endowed fund supporting cancer care at the QEH. Peter quoted his father in saying, “If you live in a community and earn your living here, then you have an obligation to put money back into your community.”
This is not Peter and Karen’s first leadership gift to the QEH Foundation. In addition to their annual giving, in 2017 Peter and Karen donated a $250,000 paid-up life insurance policy to the Foundation, becoming part of the QEH Legacy Society – those who have identified as having a planned gift.
“Karen and I are deeply committed to supporting our community, and we believe that quality healthcare is fundamental” says MacDonald. “By contributing to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, we hope to ensure that the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre has the resources it needs to continue the exceptional care that many of our family and friends have benefited from.”
The QEH Foundation raises funds for all services within the Queen Elizabeth Hospital including the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre.
Harry MacLauchlan Memorial Golf Tournament Raises $100,000 for QEH Foundation
JUNE 13, 2024
The 21st annual Harry MacLauchlan ‘Great Day’ Fore Health Memorial Golf Tournament, presented by Fair Isle Ford, took place on June 12th at Belvedere Golf Club. This year’s tournament raised $72,122, an impressive total that was unexpectedly rounded up to $100,000 with a donation from Island Coastal Services.
The tournament is hosted annually by the Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty and the QEH Foundation in honour of Harry MacLauchlan, whose outstanding and varied business achievements and community support were bolstered by his positivity, which was evident in his well-known greeting – “It’s a great day!” It was a “great day” indeed, as the sunshine welcomed a full complement of teams, sponsors, and supporters. The winning team of this year’s tournament was RBC Dominion Securities.
Over the past 20 years this tournament has had a big impact on Island healthcare, raising more than $1 million and funding priority medical equipment for departments throughout the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Proceeds from the tournament will be used to support medical equipment needs for the Provincial Laboratory, located at QEH. The laboratory needs cooling equipment to store reagents, a substance or compound that can facilitate a reaction. Chemistry and Hematology tests are routinely ordered by physicians throughout PEI and this equipment will ensure laboratory staff have access to reliable reagents to perform these tests.
The Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty event co-chairs Mike Hennessey and Jamie Currie are grateful for the community support for this year’s tournament including Presenting Sponsor Fair Isle Ford, and Corporate Sponsors Canadian Tire, Island Petroleum, and the Province of PEI, along with Lifeline Sponsors IG Wealth Management, Island Coastal Services, and RBC Dominion Securities.
QEH Foundation’s Big Day of Giving Supported by Islanders Tip to Tip
MAY 25, 2023
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – May 24 is the second annual QEH Big Day of Giving – a day for us to come together and have a BIG impact on the health care of those we love. The QEH Foundation’s Board Chair, John Gaudet, says last year’s inaugural event was an outstanding success and he hopes this year will be just as impactful for the hospital.
“A gift to the QEH Foundation is a gift to all Islanders,” says Gaudet. “We all hope we’ll never need the hospital but if we do, or a loved one does, it is comforting to know that the best possible medical equipment is in place for our dedicated health care teams. That is the power of giving.”
The QEH Foundation strives to ensure medical equipment is never a barrier to quality care at the QEH. Through an outpouring of kindness from people across PEI, and beyond, the Foundation fulfills millions of dollars in equipment and technology needs each year. With a priority list so long, every dollar counts.
“Queen Elizabeth Hospital is the province’s main referral centre’” says Gaudet. “There are specialized services to care for patients from East Point to North Cape and everywhere in between. During our Big Day of Giving we’ll share patient stories that show just how lives are changed through health care at our Island’s largest hospital.”
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation’s Big Day of Giving was an outstanding success, raising $861,061 and counting. The second annual fundraising day took place on Wednesday, May 24th, and donors responded in a BIG way!
Donations to the QEH Foundation directly support the purchase of priority medical equipment for many provincial services located at the Island’s largest hospital. The QEH is home to PEI’s Cancer Treatment Centre, the Provincial NICU, and soon, our Island’s new Mental Health & Addictions Emergency Department and Short Stay Unit. This year funds will also support the hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging Department, as there is a need for three new X-ray machines.
“Our Big Day is a celebration of the incredible things that happen at the QEH every day,” says Foundation Board Chair John Gaudet. “Specialized health care teams at PEI’s largest hospital care for Islanders from East Point to North Cape and everywhere in between. That was certainly reflected in the donations we received from grateful donors across the province and beyond.”
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 in eastern, western, and central PEI. Heartfelt grateful patient stories were shared on air, online, and in ads with print media partner, The Guardian. Many community groups and individuals stopped by the QEH, called, or made donations online.
It’s not too late to add your support to the 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 Supports Health Care for Islanders Tip to Tip
MAY 17, 2023
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – May 24 is the second annual QEH Big Day of Giving – a day for us to come together and have a BIG impact on the health care of those we love. The QEH Foundation’s Board Chair, John Gaudet, says last year’s inaugural event was an outstanding success and he hopes this year will be just as impactful for the hospital.
“A gift to the QEH Foundation is a gift to all Islanders,” says Gaudet. “We all hope we’ll never need the hospital but if we do, or a loved one does, it is comforting to know that the best possible medical equipment is in place for our dedicated health care teams. That is the power of giving.”
The QEH Foundation strives to ensure medical equipment is never a barrier to quality care at the QEH. Through an outpouring of kindness from people across PEI, and beyond, the Foundation fulfills millions of dollars in equipment and technology needs each year. With a priority list so long, every dollar counts.
“Queen Elizabeth Hospital is the province’s main referral centre’” says Gaudet. “There are specialized services to care for patients from East Point to North Cape and everywhere in between. During our Big Day of Giving we’ll share patient stories that show just how lives are changed through health care at our Island’s largest hospital.”
A series of videos released for the Big Day of Giving will introduce many grateful Islanders who have been touched by care at QEH. Among them is Paul Higginbotham, a QEH ICU registered nurse of 28 years whose newborn granddaughter, Maren, was transported by LifeFlight helicopter from the Prince County Hospital to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital late last year after experiencing respiratory distress at birth. “
I knew that if Maren could just get to the QEH NICU she’d be okay,” says Higginbotham. “Dr. Brown [Neonatologist at QEH] was on the phone with the PCH health care team throughout the night until the helicopter arrived. With a highly specialized team and the right medical equipment, Maren and her family could remain on PEI for her care.”
Ocean 100 and HOT 105.5 will broadcast live from the QEH from 6 AM to 6 PM on May 24th sharing interviews with QEH staff, donors, and patients as well as providing updates on generous donations toward the Big Day of Giving. Big Day ambassadors, including long-time telethon host Marlene MacDonald, 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 the Provincial NICU, the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre, and the Provincial Mental Health & Addictions Emergency Room and Short Stay Unit.
Provincial Credit Union kicked off the Big Day of Giving with a donation of $25,000 to purchase five new infant feeding pumps for the Provincial NICU.
To learn more and to donate to the QEH Big Day of Giving visit www.QEHBigDay.ca, call toll free 1-833- 335-0545, visit the QEH Foundation office, or mail your cheque to QEH Foundation, PO Box 6600, Charlottetown PE C1A 8T5.
Tulips Sale Supports New Mental Health and Addictions Ignition Fund at the QEH
FEBRUARY 6, 2023
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Colourful locally-grown tulip bouquets are a beautiful way to make a difference for PEI health care. Islanders are once again invited to brighten their home, home office, or workplace with vibrant tulips from Vanco Farms through the QEH Foundation’s annual tulips sale. This year’s cheerful fundraiser provides a welcome sign of spring while raising important funds to support the Foundation’s new Mental Health and Addictions Ignition Fund at the QEH.
Businesses and individuals can pre-order their bouquets no later than Friday, February 24 by visiting www.qehfoundation.pe.ca/tulips, calling the QEH Foundation office at 902-894-2425, or by emailing info@qehfoundation.pe.ca.
Bouquets sell for $10 with 10 stems each, and a minimum order of five bouquets.
Contactless pickup is available for pre-ordered tulips on Thursday, March 2 at either the Parkdale Sherwood Lions Bingo Hall (adjacent to Value Village) in Charlottetown from 7:30am – 2:00pm OR the Eastern PEI Chamber of Commerce in Montague from 8:00am – 12:00pm.
For more information, please contact:
MaryEllen Hughes
Director, Philanthropy
902-894-0119
mthughes@gmail.com
QEH Digital Mammography Machine Funded with $600,000 Gift from Master Packaging
JANUARY 19, 2023
Staff of the QEH Diagnostic Imaging Department are praising the leading-edge advancements of two digital mammography machines that were funded last year. The QEH Foundation is proud to announce that in an act of incredible generosity, Master Packaging committed $600,000 to fund one of the machines in its entirety. What’s more, the new machine replaced an older model that Master Packaging funded in 2008.
“At Master Packaging, our team shares a commitment and a passion to giving back to the communities where we live and work,” said Mary-Jean Irving, CEO of Master Packaging. “As a breast cancer survivor, I want to ensure the women of Prince Edward Island have access to the best breast care possible. The new digital technology will assist with early and easier detection of breast cancer. The Master Packaging team is honoured to assist our community with this new donation.”
Prior to 2008, QEH mammography machines used film. Advancing to digital mammography allowed for quicker diagnoses, as images no longer had to be developed. The machines funded in 2022 bring many additional benefits, including a reduced need for invasive biopsies, the ability for radiologists to more easily see breast cancers, and less radiation delivered to the breast.
“I was here when we upgraded machines in 2008, and once more in 2022,” says QEH radiologist Dr. Kim Hender. “I’ve seen first-hand the impact of donor support – and we’ve saved lives because of it. We couldn’t do what we do without donations and I want to thank everyone who has invested in Island health care by supporting our department.”
Patsy MacLean, QEH Foundation past-chair, expressed her appreciation to Master Packaging for their generous support of the mammography equipment through QEH Foundation’s Friends for Life Campaign.
“On behalf of the QEH Foundation I extend my sincere thanks to Ms. Irving and all employees of Master Packaging for their continuing support of mammography in PEI,” says MacLean. “With more than 8,500 screening and diagnostic mammograms performed each year at the QEH, it is easy to see just how many lives will be touched by this new equipment.”
QEH Foundation Launches Campaign to Fund Equipment Needed for Emergency Care
NOVEMBER 24, 2022
The QEH Foundation launches its 2022-23 Annual Friends for Life campaign today to support the QEH Emergency Department. More than $1 million in priority medical equipment is needed for emergency care at the Island’s main referral hospital.
“Islanders are still feeling the compounding effects of the global pandemic and the destructive hurricane that hit our province,” says QEH emergency physician Dr. Trevor Jain. “It is during these trying times that we are reminded of the crucial role that the Queen Elizabeth Hospital plays in emergency preparedness and response for PEI.”
Part of this preparedness is having the right medical equipment in place for the health care team, something that Dr. Jain says is important in reducing the extra cognitive load on care providers.
“When we’re in an intense situation, we know we’re not working with second-class gear,” says Dr. Jain. “We’re working with first-class, top-tier gear and we don’t have to troubleshoot. This makes our job so much easier and the patient directly benefits.”
Staff of the QEH have identified equipment needs in the emergency department as well as the intensive care unit and provincial laboratory at QEH. Among those needs are a brain monitoring system, a hematology analysis system, and additional portable ultrasound machines.
Chair of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation John Gaudet says many Islanders, Islanders living away, and seasonal residents give an annual donation to the QEH at this time of year.
“We are pleased to have the familiar face of Dr. Trevor Jain lending support to this year’s campaign,” says Gaudet. “During the past few years, Islanders recognize his dedication to keeping us safe and we know how important emergency care is to our Island. We hope our community will continue to make QEH a priority for their giving this year.”
Gaudet adds the QEH Emergency Department is a gateway to our hospital, with an average 115 patient visits per day and approximately 42,000 patient visits per year in the department.
“I was about to return to Ontario after a wonderful summer in Stanhope when Hurricane Fiona hit,” says Allan. “I recently sold a small cottage and from that had assets with capital gains. I decided to transfer shares as a tax-efficient way to help the QEH Emergency Department and the Provincial Laboratory. These are both areas that come into play in the care of seasonal residents, and all Islanders.”
The majority of medical equipment needs at the QEH are funded by donations. 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 a cheque to the QEH Foundation, PO Box 6600, Charlottetown, PE C1A 8T5. Donors from USA can donate online as well to US Friends of Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
For more information:
Kathleen Murphy
Director, Communications
QEH Foundation
kxmurphy@ihis.org
902-894-2956