Wellington Rotary Commits Funding to Complete Hospital Ventilator Purchase
The Rotary Club of Wellington has pledged to cover the remaining cost needed to purchase a transport ventilator for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) emergency department, strengthening critical care resources for patients across the region.
Working in partnership with the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF), the club has committed to funding approximately $22,000, completing the purchase of the ventilator, which carries a total price tag of more than $56,000. Partial funding for the equipment was secured last June through the Stark Family Fund.
Rotary representatives recently presented the foundation with an initial donation of $16,040, generated through bottle recycling depot proceeds and sales of Rotary-branded maple syrup over the past year. Additional funds will continue to be raised until the remaining balance is met.
The club is also hosting an electronic recycling fundraiser on Sunday, January 21, at Picton Home Hardware, offering free recycling of unwanted electronics such as computers, televisions, and printers, with donations encouraged.
Transport ventilators play a critical role in life-saving care, assisting patients who are unable to breathe independently due to conditions such as pneumonia, COPD, strokes, or brain injuries. The equipment is standard across Quinte Health hospitals, ensuring staff are trained on the same model at each site.
Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation, said community support is essential in funding hospital equipment not covered by provincial healthcare dollars, noting that access to modern technology directly improves patient outcomes.
Lyn McGowan, president of the Rotary Club of Wellington, emphasized the club’s long-standing commitment to the local hospital, stating that Rotarians and residents alike continue to rally behind healthcare in Prince Edward County.
Lisa Mowbray, hospital site lead and manager of patient services at PECMH, highlighted the importance of the ventilator’s mobility, allowing uninterrupted respiratory support for patients of all ages during emergency care or transport.
Wellington Rotary has a strong history of supporting hospital needs. In 2023, the club raised $26,008 for an echocardiogram machine, and in 2022 funded an automated endoscope reprocessor valued at $30,500. Including contributions to the Back the Build campaign, the club has donated more than $560,000 to the County’s hospital over the past 12 years.
Funds raised through the club’s bottle recycling depot, open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the old mill on Second Street in Wellington, along with upcoming Rotary maple syrup sales, will continue to support the ventilator purchase. The club marks its 22nd anniversary in 2024, with approximately 40 active members.
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