Lori Gervais admits that summertime isn't usually that busy for the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation (SJHF). This year, however, was quite different.
"There has been an unbelievable amount of support, as always with the foundation, but I feel like this MRI project is one that is super personal to people," she noted.
Serving as the executive director of the foundation, her main objective is to bring MRI services to Estevan. With $4 million raised for the project, the goal is no longer far out of reach. "Everybody that donates has someone that they love that's close to them, that have gone through some sort of healthcare journey that an MRI would have made a huge difference, or it's them themselves. It really, really shows the personal nature of this project to everybody, to our entire community in the whole southeast corner."
While still needing the back half of the $6.5 million the hospital needs for the project, work has already begun in acquiring the MRI itself. Gervais said that her team, alongside the hospital, is working closely with Emmanuel Health to nail down the logistics of purchasing the machine and renovating the space it'll hold.
"Corey Miller from Emanuel Health is part of that process and he's been keeping us updated regularly. In the next couple of weeks, the actual company that will be providing the MRI machine itself will be determined and [then]...the MRI itself will be ordered. Once that is done, the company that will be providing the machine itself will come and do a site assessment to determine that where we've kind of planned everything out is doable."
The SJHF has been receiving donations from all walks of life. Elaine Walkom kickstarted the cause, donating the initial $2 million so the project hit the ground running. Charitable organizations, businesses, and individuals have stepped up greatly to bring an MRI to Estevan. One of the largest proponents of the project is the surrounding RMs in the southeast. Gervais expressed that partnership is significant.
"The RMs are certainly super important to this. I mean the RMs are our taxpayers, so those are representing the people of all of these areas outside of our our city itself. I'm not finding anybody that doesn't support, it's just a matter of what they can afford to do in their support," she added.
Multiple fundraisers in support of the project have been done, as the community rallies to bring it to fruition. She recalled the steer auction that Jaycee Ross and their family held during the rodeo back in June, which added over $53,000 of donations from ranchers, farmers and companies. Gervais also noted that the upcoming golf ball drop hosted by the Rotary Club is supporting the project.
"Every day I have people stopping by to donate that are bringing in $300, $1000, $25 -- whatever it is that they can do. So, it is important to have that support from everyone at every level because every little bit makes our total go up, and that's what we've seen. We hit the $4 million mark, we're at 62% raised in just five months."
Right now, the foundation is focusing on their next fundraising event, which is the 12th edition of Festival of Trees. They will also be holding a Coffee Talk session with the Estevan Chamber of Commerce in early October to further educate the public about the project.
You can donate to the project by visiting SJHF's website.