The latest edition of Coffee Talk highlighted the community's impressive efforts to bring an MRI machine to St. Joseph's Hospital. Executive directors Lori Gervais, from the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, and Candace Kopec, from St. Joseph’s Hospital, provided updates on the fundraising progress and the overwhelming community support they've seen so far.
To date, the fundraising effort has brought in $4.2 million of the $6.5 million goal needed to secure the MRI machine. "We’ve made incredible progress, but there’s still more to do," Gervais noted. "With the continued support of the community, we’re confident we can reach our goal and bring this vital service to St. Joseph’s Hospital."
She shared how the entire community, including some unexpected groups, has rallied around the cause. "The support has been nothing short of overwhelming," Gervais said. "We’ve seen donations coming in from individuals across the board, but what surprised us was the incredible backing from the youth in the community. It’s clear this initiative matters to everyone, no matter their age."
Alongside individual contributions, Southeast Saskatchewan’s rural municipalities (RMs) have also stepped up significantly. Sixteen RMs have already pledged their support to the project. Jarvis explained, "The rural municipalities have truly underscored the region’s desire to make this MRI a reality. Their contributions show that this isn’t just a hospital project—it’s a community project, and everyone is eager to see it through."
"The RM's are a great place to start because those are our taxpayers and those are a great representation of the people and they have had no problem stepping up and contributing immensely," said Gervais. "The donations are coming in through, you know, corporate levels and personal levels and you know, creative fundraising ideas. And every single donation that comes in has a very heartwarming story behind it."
To date, the fundraising effort has brought in $4.2 million of the $6.5 million goal needed to secure the MRI machine. "We’ve made incredible progress, but there’s still more to do," Gervais noted. "With the continued support of the community, we’re confident we can reach our goal and bring this vital service to St. Joseph’s Hospital."
The project remains ongoing, with hopes of raising the remaining funds soon. While an exact date has not been set, work on the project is set to begin in 2025.
The St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation's next event will be the annual Festival of Trees in November.
"Festival of Trees has always been kind of our biggest fundraiser. That and radios on are our two big events throughout the year. It gives us an opportunity not only to thank, you know, all of our donors and highlight the sponsors and that sort of thing, but also to raise money, give people an opportunity to have, a fantastic night of entertainment, but also really come out and share in the philanthropy of it all, but also just people's generosity is amazing.