Make This Your Moment: Holiday Appeal Highlights Need for New MRI

Local teacher shares her cancer story to ensure the best care is available at Ross Memorial.

Exactly one year ago, Kate Winn was diagnosed with breast cancer. That news set in motion what Kate calls her cancer story. Thanks to her early diagnosis and timely care at the Ross, Kate’s story has a happy ending. This holiday season, Kate is sharing her story to help others when they need it most.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) was among the technology that helped to pinpoint Kate’s tumour and ensure there were no others. When Kate learned that the ten-year-old MRI must be replaced and that government funding doesn’t cover the cost, she was quick to offer her help by sharing her story through the RMH Foundation’s Holiday Appeal.

“I’m so incredibly grateful. Grateful for the care I received, for the support of my family, friends and community, for my good outcome … and for the chance to pay it forward,” said Kate Winn. “Just as it took a broad healthcare team to help me beat cancer, it takes all of us to ensure the best care is available at our local hospital. It’s only with the generous support of donors that our hospital team has the medical equipment and advanced technology it needs to diagnose and treat patients.”

“We’re incredibly grateful to Kate for helping to highlight this important community need,” said Erin Coons, RMH Foundation CEO. “Magnetic Resonance Imaging helps physicians confidently diagnose disease and injury in the brain, spine, joints, breasts and organs. It’s a vital tool for detecting herniated or bulging disks, arthritic changes, tumours and other lesions. More than 500 patient exams are scanned at the Ross every month.”

“MRI is a diagnostic tool our community simply can’t do without. The provincial government doesn’t fund the cost to replace medical equipment such as this, so it’s up to us to make it happen,” said Ryan O’Neill, RMH Foundation Board Chair. “We hope everyone will watch the mail for Kate’s letter, and make this your moment to keep the best care close to home.”

For more information or to make an online donation, please visit the RMH Foundation’s website, www.rmh.org/foundation.