Estevan’s MRI fundraising project has exceeded expectations, with a growing community of supporters helping make the dream of bringing an MRI machine to St. Joseph’s Hospital a reality.
Elaine Walkom, one of the key figures behind the initiative, recently reflected on the journey that has brought the project to this point.
A fundraising campaign launched by Walkom set a clear goal — to bring MRI services to Estevan. The initiative has been warmly received by the community, gathering support to ensure residents don’t have to travel long distances to access essential medical services.
“I don’t even have words to say how proud I am of our Estevan community and even the surrounding community,” said Walkom. “It’s just been amazing. It’s so generous.”
MRI scans are a crucial diagnostic tool for many patients, but for those in Estevan and surrounding areas, the nearest facilities are often hours away.
The response from Estevan residents has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing relief at the prospect of having local access to MRI services.
“I never thought at first that it would take off like this, and then when it started, I thought, you know, this is a big deal, this is pretty important,” said Walkom. “People put this at the top of their priority list. So I was happy — I was totally elated that it was like that.
“Then so many people would come up to me and say, 'This is such a good idea. You know, my mother, my brother, my husband, whoever needed an MRI and we had to wait so long to have it. To have it on our doorstep would be awesome.'”
Walkom noted that the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, led by Lori Jarvis, has done a wonderful job spearheading the fundraising efforts, with Emmanuel Health CEO Corey Miller working to coordinate logistics.
The time frame to get the MRI operational is estimated at 10 months. Walkom said that’s a reasonable timeline, though she was hoping it could happen sooner.
“I was hoping for September, October of this year. I am excited it’s coming, but like everyone else, I wish it was now. I wish it was in three months,” she said.
“When this project started, I had no idea what to expect. In my naivety, I thought I would just hand the money over to the hospital and we would have an up-and-running MRI in six months. I come from a private business background, and that's how we do things there.”
Walkom believes the project is a critical step in improving healthcare access for the region, particularly for those who might struggle with travel costs and time commitments associated with seeking medical care out of town.
With ongoing support, Walkom is optimistic the campaign will succeed in securing the remaining funding, paving the way for a healthier, more accessible future for Estevan and the surrounding area. More events and initiatives are planned to maintain momentum and further rally support.
In the coming months, Walkom and her team will continue to push toward their goal, with the hope of seeing the fruits of their hard work come to life in the form of a local MRI service. She said the campaign is a testament to the power of community action and the determination of Estevan residents to improve healthcare access.
“I think the companies and the corporations and the people who haven't donated yet will,” she said. “I think they're just waiting — for whatever reason. But I think they definitely will. Everyone sees the upside to this.
Reflecting on the significance of the project, Walkom said the MRI will be a life-changing resource for many in the region. She recalled the challenges her late husband, Grant, faced during his battle with cancer.
“A lot of driving, a lot of stress. You never know what you're going to find when you get there,” she said. “Going for any kind of medical procedure is stressful. But when you have to drive to get there, and especially driving in some of the winter conditions that we have, it's just extremely stressful and it makes everything that much worse.”
Walkom said the MRI campaign reflects the community’s compassion and generosity, noting that whether it's the Humane Society, the MRI, or if someone needs support, the community is always there to rally. "People like to help other people. I think it comes down to that,” she said. “And Estevan has a huge dose of that in their whole bodies. They just like to help people, and they want people to feel better.”
“Again, I want to say thank you to the entire community and to those who haven't donated yet. Please, please do make a donation for whatever you can afford. We just need it so badly. Once it’s up and running, everyone will be happy. Everybody will be happy to have it.”