$300,000 raised for CT scanner

Ken Johnston
Editor

A little over 50 people rose early Friday morning to kickoff the fund raising drive (Care Close to Home 2) for a district CT Scanner in Rainy River.
The Rainy River Legion prepared and served a pancake and sausage breakfast for the crowd at 6:30 a.m. Afterwards Care Close to Home 2 chair Deane Cunningham spoke about project. “We have really raised the bar as far as health care in the district.” He commented about the modern new hospital in Rainy River, the renovated Emo hospital and the recently renovated Fort Frances hospital. “We now have services available in the district such as dialysis and chemotherapy. Services that people had to travel away from home to get before. We saw this (CT Scanner) as the next step!”
Cunningham acknowledged all the volunteers that are serving on the campaign and the Legions in Rainy River, Emo and Fort Frances for hosting the event Friday.
The event highlight started after all the indoor activities were completed. Bill Michl, formerly of Stratton and now of Fort Frances ran across the west Rainy River District to show that with determination anything is possible. “If he can do it we can get out there and fund raise,” said Cunningham about Michl.
A total of $1.5 million is needed to purchase the scanner. Friday morning the Rainy River Legion presented a cheque to the campaign for $20,000. Another $20,000 was donated by the Rainy River Hospital Auxiliary and a $1,000 cheque was presented by the Rainy River Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
Cunningham explained that pledge cards are now available and noted that Moe Henry of Stratton was the first one to fill his out that morning for $2,000.
Local runners started Michl off and one from Rainy River, Kim Chorney ran all the way to Emo with him. That was the furthest she ever ran in her life. Previously she had run 13 km. “That really inspired me,” said Michl Sunday.
He reportedly finished the run with a sprint. Where that burst of energy came from is anyone’s guess. Next up for him is a race in the new year and he also hopes to do a charity run for the Arthritis Society on the Great Wall of China.
At Emo the Central District Committee presented- $97,000 in donations and pledges. The Emo & District Hospital Auxiliary -$10,000 and Maurice MacMillan - $500 (5 times his age)
In Fort Frances the Riverside Family - $55,000 (Employees) and La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary - $25,000 for a grand total of over $300,000.
Campaign Communications Chair Jim Cumming said the committee was very pleased with the turn out at the kickoff. “We were asked what numbers to expect in Rainy River (at such an early hour) and we are overwhelmed. This is excellent!”
A silver collection was taken for the breakfast and $300 was raised. “We are very pleased with the support and how things turned out this morning,” said West District Campaign co-chair Brig McGreevy of Rainy River.