An anonymous donor has committed $50,000 over five years to the Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital (HGMH) Foundation.  

The first installment of $10,000 was received in December. The donation will support priority medical equipment needs at HGMH, including the campaign to bring a CT scanner to the hospital.

The donor’s decision to give was inspired by personal experiences receiving care at HGMH after moving to Alexandria from Montreal.

“On Labour Day, two months after moving to Alexandria from Montreal, I caught my hand badly in a hedge trimmer. Uncertain where to go, my wife chose the nearness of HGMH over the long drive to Cornwall. The ER was open, staffed among others, by Dr. Yuan-Innes who somehow put my fingertips back together. Given the stories of rural Ontario hospitals closing their ERs on weekends and holidays we were relieved that somehow HGMH was open that day,” the donor said.

“We have since had three visits to HGMH between us for minor stroke, respiratory and cardio symptoms. Every time we initially wondered where to go, and every time we chose the immediate care advantage, and were cared for beyond our best hopes, with all the follow ups and referrals one could ask for. HGMH is well beyond our expectations of what we hoped a rural' hospital can be, and it needs our support,” the donor added.

They believe acquiring a CT scanner is the most immediate diagnostic tool that would bring the care provided to the next level.

Hospital officials say access to advanced diagnostic imaging locally would significantly reduce travel time for patients and help clinicians make faster treatment decisions in time-sensitive situations such as stroke or cardiac events. Currently, many patients who require CT imaging must be transferred to other hospitals.

The donation reflects the message behind the Foundation’s Be a Healer campaign, which recognizes donors as partners in patient care by helping equip frontline professionals with the tools they need.

With the first installment already received, Foundation representatives say the commitment signals growing community momentum behind strengthening rural health services in Glengarry.

For more information about supporting the CT Scanner Campaign, call 613-525-2222 ext. 4138 and visit www.hgmhfoundation.org.