As Saugeen Shores starts to approach the winter season it is once again time for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF) to kick off their annual Light the Way campaign. In a November 9 media release, 2020 has been a very different year for everyone, including charities who have faced the loss of in-person fundraising events. "This makes our direct mail letter for Light the Way all that more important this year as we try to make up for lost revenue from events that couldn’t happen earlier this year due to COVID," read the release.

The SMHF is excited to announce that this year’s Light the Way fundraising will go toward the purchase of a new x-ray machine for the hospital in Saugeen Shores.

"Our radiology department and x-ray technology can play a vital role in the care of not only emergency room patients but oncology, cardiology and surgical cases as well," continued the release, adding that their current x-ray machine is over 15 years old and needs to be replaced with newer technology.

"This machine is in service 24 hours a day seven days a week and is an absolutely core piece of the hospital," said Foundation Executive Director Tracy Murray.

The cost to replace the old machine will be $510,000. “Since the government does not fund the purchase of medical equipment for the hospital we rely on support from our community to ensure the hospital can stay up to date and continue to provide high quality care for all of our residents and visitors,” said Murray.

This year’s Light the Way Honorary Chair is one of the area’s nuclear suppliers, Kinectrics. Raj Verma, Kinectrics VP, will be representing the company during campaign activities including the annual Light the Way Radiothon on Decemver 10 at 98 the Beach.

Kinectrics is challenging all other nuclear suppliers to support the local hospital by donating any amount, but hopes they will choose to meet or beat Kinectrics $5,000 donation.

“The community has embraced new neighbours from the different nuclear companies with open arms. Supporting Light the Way and the hospital is the least we can do and maybe I can make a friendly challenge to our fellow industry competi-mates; Let’s see if we can come together and get the hospital the equipment they need as we work our way through these difficult times”, said Verma.

“As Kinectrics continues to grow in the Bruce County area, it becomes increasingly important that we support the local hospital through initiatives like Light the Way," said David Harris, Kinectrics President and CEO. "Our employees, and the community that many of them call home, see the benefit," Harris added.

The Foundation asks community members to watch their mailboxes for the Light the Way x-ray envelope and, if they are able, consider mailing a donation to help bring the new x-ray machine to Saugeen Shores.

Other ways to donate:
• Enjoy the fun new, interactive, x-ray room donation webpage at www.smhfoundation.ca/xray
• Donate via text by simply texting the word 'xray' to 226-777-3050
• Donate by phone at 226-930-1114
• Donate during the Light the Way Radiothon, 6am to 6pm December 10, on 98 the Beach