Recent News

Friday, November 1, 2024 

Diagnostic Imaging Campaign a Tremendous Success with a Second Gift from the Haliburton Forest & Cockwell Family 
X-Ray Suite added to Diagnostic Imaging upgrades at HHHS thanks to a generous community

Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation’s Campaign Chair Tayce Wakefield announced today that with a second gift of $500,000 from the Cockwell Family and Haliburton Forest, and the incredible generosity of the entire community, the “Here for You in the Highlands” campaign has been a huge success, exceeding the initial $4.3 million goal for CT, Mammography, new Ultrasound, Picture Archiving Communications System and related technologies, raising $6,225,000 to date – enough to also provide for an urgently-needed new x-ray suite.  

Haliburton Forest’s Managing Director, Malcolm Cockwell, said, “The importance of the Diagnostic Imaging Campaign's objectives was clear to our group from the first discussion with HHHS: increasing the capability and capacity of the hospital is critical to the well-being of our employees, clients, their families, visitors, and all other residents in the region. This resulted in our initial gift at the beginning of this campaign. 
“Over the last few months, the generosity of the community has been astounding: large gifts and small gifts together have enabled this immensely positive investment in our local health services. The generosity of the community is such a clear demonstration of the importance of this initiative, that we are motivated to make a second gift.”

“On behalf of my colleagues at Haliburton Forest and the other members of the Cockwell Family, I am pleased to share that we will be doubling our initial gift of $500,000 by contributing an additional $500,000 to the HHHS Foundation in support of the Here for You Diagnostic Imaging Campaign,” stated Cockwell.
Wakefield said, “We appreciate the generosity of the Cockwell Family and Haliburton Forest for taking us “over the top” with their second gift; the incredible support from over 650 donors; and the leadership of the volunteer Campaign Cabinet (Greg Bishop, Kurtis Bishop, David Blodgett, Michael Harrison, Peter Henry, Pat Kennedy, Klara Oyler, Keith Sjögren, Roger Trull, Dale Walker) who have worked so hard to make this campaign a success.”

Foundation Executive Director, Melanie Klodt Wong said, “In mid-September, Christine Tutssel and Rob Holl announced that they would match all gifts to the end of October up to $500,000.  This has inspired more donors and we are pleased to announce that their matching challenge has been fully met.”
“It has been such an incredible campaign, with the breadth of support from the community including the amazing group of volunteers I’ve had the pleasure to work with.  Without them, this would not have been possible, and definitely not at the speed at which it was accomplished.”

Haliburton Highlands Health Services CEO Veronica Nelson said, “Adding these diagnostic imaging technologies and services is the first step forward in our plans to build capacity in and expand healthcare services in the County.  Our community deserves access to excellent local care. We thank every donor for their support in helping us optimize health and wellbeing in the County.”

HHHS Foundation Board Chair David Blodgett said, “With the province requiring the community to fund the majority of capital investments, the Foundation’s core purpose is to work closely with the community to raise the necessary funds to support and enable HHHS to better serve healthcare needs for acute care, long-term care and community services.  This campaign's record-breaking success has broadened our donor base and raised funds like never before and we look forward to working with all of our donor partners to build on this success as we forge ahead. We thank everyone who treasures the time they spend in the Highlands for their support.”

Haliburton County Council Warden Liz Danielsen said, “Improving healthcare locally is an important enabler for community, social and economic development.  County Council voted to support this campaign because we recognized the benefit of keeping our emergency services close to home and to providing a foundation of broad-based support. Because of this new technology, our EMS teams have improved response times to local emergencies by 28% (CTAS1), assuring residents that more ambulances are readily available across the county. Working together, we are able to build a healthier community.”

*Total funds raised include gifts pledged and received for the campaign. For further information, please contact Foundation Executive Director Melanie Klodt Wong at mklodtwong@hhhs.ca

September 23, 2024

To continue the momentum from the previous matching gifts, the record-breaking Health Radiothon, and to raise the necessary funds for urgently needed new x-ray equipment for HHHS, Kennisis cottagers Christine Tutssel and Rob Holl are offering to match all gifts up to $500,000 made in the coming weeks to the Here for You in the Highlands Campaign.

“Haliburton has a very special place in our hearts for our family. Our kids grew up on Kennisis Lake and now our grandchildren are enjoying the same privilege.  That’s why we are challenging all lakefront property owners as well as those in the towns and villages to make a contribution to the Here for You Diagnostic Imaging Campaign.  We will match all gifts from today until the end of October up to $500,000,” said Tutssel.

“Let’s show Haliburton County how thankful we are for everything it has to offer.  We know that many people have already been very generous in supporting the campaign.  But there are still a large number that have the capacity to give but have not yet done so.  We are encouraging them to do so by Thanksgiving to help bring this campaign home,” she said.

“We reside in the Kitchener Waterloo area where resources are relatively abundant to support local needs but the need in Haliburton County is great and resources are far more limited.  We are making this contribution here because we know that in Haliburton, it will make a real difference,” Tutssel added.
Campaign Cabinet Member, Peter Henry welcomed Christine & Rob’s challenge matching gift.  “Several people who own properties in Haliburton but are not here full-time have asked me why they should support HHHS?  For us, it’s simple:  Most of us have made a trip to the HHHS Emergency Department for ourselves, our family or our visitors at one time or another.  We count on HHHS being there when we need it, and we want to make sure that it has the tools it needs to serve us well.”

“This matching gift is very, very generous and we hope that it will encourage many to give, and even to give again.  For those people who support their local hospitals at their main residences, we ask you to consider also contributing to this campaign to get the basic diagnostic imaging resources in place in the Highlands,” he added.

With the extraordinary support of the community during the MooseFM Health Radiothon presented by Minden Subaru, the generous matching donations from Scott & Chere Campbell and Richard Muir are now exhausted. 

 “These matching challenges made a huge impact, spurring additional gifts and momentum in the community” said HHHSF Executive Director Melanie Klodt Wong. “I believe Christine & Rob’s challenge will do the same and reach folks who haven’t thought about us in the past. HHHS is working towards a brighter future and I am grateful that so many people are recognizing this project as the start of something positive.” 

The Here for You Campaign has exceeded the initial goal of $4.3M required to bring a CT Scanner and CT Mammography to the county, plus upgrade Ultrasound equipment and the image archiving system (PACS). The campaign has currently raised over $5M.
“We can't say thank you enough to Christine Tutssel and Rob Holl for giving the campaign this huge boost at this time!” said volunteer Campaign Chair, Tayce Wakefield.

"Our Campaign Cabinet is an outstanding team of volunteers, some with deep roots locally and others who love spending their spare time on our lakes.  When we first met, we asked ‘what’s our stretch target, if we can raise the necessary funds for the initial campaign?’  When we heard that HHHS’ x-ray suite is 12 years old and urgently needs to be replaced, we said we’d do our best to raise the additional funds required to do that, too,” said Wakefield.
HHHSF Board Chair David Blodgett said, “Over 600 members of our community have contributed to this campaign so far.  Thank you to every one of them!  Every donation gets us closer to the diagnostic imaging equipment HHHS so urgently needs.  My thanks also to our dedicated Campaign Cabinet, who are giving their time and experience to help us all.”

The volunteer members of the Campaign Cabinet are Greg Bishop, Kurtis Bishop, David Blodgett, Michael Harrison, Peter Henry, Pat Kennedy, Klara Oyler, Keith Sjögren, Roger Trull, Tayce Wakefield and Dale Walker.

“Since its discovery over a century ago, X-ray technology remains an indispensable diagnostic imaging tool.  We know we are behind in replacing our general x-ray equipment.  According to the Canadian Association of Radiologists, our equipment should be replaced about every 10 years.  More recently, we are experiencing an increase in repairs needed.  We simply cannot be without. We sincerely appreciate how the community has united to raise the necessary funds,” said HHHS CEO, Veronica Nelson.

For further information and how to contribute to the Here for You in the Highlands Campaign, please contact Melanie Klodt Wong, Executive Director, HHHS Foundation at 705-457-1580 and check out our website at hhhs.ca/foundation.
 

Friday, August 16, 2024

The MooseFM Health Radiothon presented by Minden Subaru with a double match raised over five hundred and thirty thousand dollars for women's health in the highlands. A huge thank you to all who supported through donations, volunteers who helped throughout the two days, hourly sponsors and prize donors - we couldn't have done it without you. 

Friday, August 9, 2024

Two Highlands residents tell their stories because they had timely mammograms

Bringing mammography to Haliburton County will save lives – Please support the MooseFM Health Radiothon t to improve local healthcare

Darlene Armstrong and Tammy Rea may not know each other but they share a similar story – breast cancer caught early means that they are alive today. And they want everyone to know just how important local access to digital mammography is for the women of Haliburton County.

The Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation (HHHS Foundation) Here for You in the Highlands campaign is raising money to ensure a new and state-of-the-art digital mammography unit is available in the County. Every dollar donated during the upcoming MooseFM Health Radiothon on August 15 & 16 will receive two more dollars through two matching gifts. The new digital mammography equipment is expected to be installed and operating by the end of this year.

“Tragically, two members of my book club have died from cancer and I might have been another statistic in the club,” says Gull Lake resident Tammy Rea. “I consider it a miracle. I’m one of the lucky ones as I was able to take the time and have the resources to travel outside the County for a mammogram.”

Tammy was diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer, something that could only be detected through a screening mammogram. She received treatment quickly and is back to her busy life as a mom, wife, and community organizer. In July, she participated in the 15-kilometer swim challenge organized by the Canadian Cancer Society.

When Darlene Armstrong of Haliburton discovered a lump on her breast, she traveled to Peterborough for the mammogram that confirmed the diagnosis.

“I was very surprised to be diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 45,” said Darlene.  “I live a healthy, active lifestyle.  In 2018, I would not have qualified for regular mammogram screening because I was considered too young.  I am pleased to hear the guidelines for screening are changing and women aged 40 will now qualify”.

Given the family history and the results of her mammogram, the healthcare team was concerned the cancer would spread throughout her body. Darlene underwent successful chemotherapy and radiation. “To put it bluntly, screening says lives.  It saved mine,” she says. Darlene, who is on staff at HHHS and a county resident, is acutely aware of the need in the Haliburton Highlands.

Tammy and Darlene both stress the importance of regular mammograms but also know the strain in terms of time and money makes it difficult or impossible for many County residents to make the trip to Peterborough or Lindsay for the 15-minute diagnostic test. What is considered routine in urban centres can be a huge barrier for women in rural areas.

“I cannot overstate the importance of a getting a regular mammogram. How lucky we will be to have this screening test closer to our homes,” says Darlene. For the past six years, she has taken a day off work to travel to Peterborough for her mammograms. 

Local access to mammography will be especially important as the province recently announced that women over 40 will be regularly referred for a mammogram at their annual checkup. Women over 70 will have to continue to ask for their mammogram each year.

There are an estimated 6,000 women in the Highlands at risk of breast cancer who will benefit from easy access to digital mammography. It is a disease which can be successfully treated if caught early, as Tammy and Darlene can attest to.

 “I am grateful I am here to use my voice to help bring this life-saving equipment to Haliburton County,” says Tammy. “My money is supporting mammography and I am encouraging everyone in this amazing community to do the same.”

The HHHS Foundation is the recipient of the annual MooseFM Health Radiothon which takes place this year from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 15 and 16, presented by Minden Subaru and hosted by Rick Lowes.

How to support the Radiothon:

• Online donations: www.hhhs.ca/foundation/give
• Over the phone: 705-457-1580 or 705-286-1580
• In-person donation locations (10-4 p.m. Aug 15 & 16):
  • Beside Wind in the Willows, 152 Highland Street, Haliburton
  • Todd’s Independent Grocer, 5121 Haliburton County Rd 21, Haliburton
  • Dollo’s Foodland, 12325 ON-35, Minden
  • Parks’ Foodland, 188 Highland Street, Haliburton
  • Tim Horton’s drive-thru in Minden 
  • MooseFm Radio station 6am-6pm, 152 Highland Street, Haliburton

Limited hourly sponsorships available: call 705-457-1580, first come first served.

Plus special challenges and prizes throughout the day. To learn more about how HHHS is Here for You and how you can make a gift during the Radiothon which will be double matched, please visit the HHHS Foundation website: hhhs.ca/foundation.

For more information about the campaign and to discuss how you can get involved please contact, Executive Director, Melanie Klodt Wong (mklodtwong@hhhs.ca) 705-457-1580

Friday August 2, 2024

Eagle Lake resident Richard Muir expresses gratitude for life-saving care received at HHHS

Radiothon matching gift offers 100,000 reasons to donate to Here for You in the Highlands to support local access to mammography

August 2, 2024 -  Long-time Eagle Lake resident and business owner Richard Muir is challenging all Highlanders to donate to Here for You in the Highlands by offering a $100,000 gift to be matched by donations received at the upcoming MooseFM Health Radiothon presented by Minden Subaru. From personal experience, Richard Muir knows just how important hospitals are to rural communities. 

In September 2022, he experienced discomfort that went away but came back later in the evening. Luckily for him, his sister-in-law, an Emergency Department nurse happened to be visiting. She immediately sensed this could be a significant health event, insisted he get to Haliburton without delay and called 911. EMS was at the cottage on Eagle Lake in less than 20 minutes. He arrived at the hospital just as quickly and minutes later he experienced a massive cardiac arrest.

“I would have died if I had not gone to the hospital,” he says. “I could not have received better care than what I did in Haliburton. It was second to none. Dr. Mason and the staff there, kept me alive. They performed 26 minutes of CPR until the heart medication started working and then made sure I made it to a cardiac care centre as quickly as possible by helicopter. I thank God for my family and for being here, alive, at 74-years-of-age.”

Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation (HHHS Foundation) is the recipient of the annual Moose FM Health Radiothon which takes place this year from 6am-6pm on  August 15 and 16 presented by Minden Subaru and hosted by Rick Lowes. The focus is on mammography and women’s health. Here for You is raising funds to bring the most modern digital mammography unit to the County. It is expected to be in place and operational by late 2024. 

This new diagnostic service will save time, money and lives. There are 6,000 women who will benefit from easy access to the digital mammography unit.  Early diagnosis of breast cancer offers the greatest chance for successful treatment and survival. 

The Radiothon will feature interviews with breast cancer survivors, healthcare specialists and those who have been touched by the healthcare they have received at HHHS, like Richard Muir.

The Muir family were first introduced to Eagle Lake by family friends. They have owned and operated Silver Eagle Cottages on Eagle Lake for nearly twenty years and have shared this beautiful place with all the wonderful people they’ve met along the way.

The generous matching donation from Richard Muir will add to the Here for You in the Highlands current matching campaign and all donations to the Radiothon will be double matched. Each $1 donated will be matched by two matching donations for a total of a $3 – triple the impact. 

How to support the Radiothon: 
Online donations: www.hhhs.ca/foundation/give
Over the phone:  705-457-1580 or 705-286-1580

In-person donation locations (10-4pm Aug 15 & 16): 
•    Beside Wind in the Willow, 152 Highland Street, Haliburton
•    Todd’s Independent Grocer, 5121 Haliburton County Rd 21, Haliburton
•    Dollo’s Foodland, 12325 ON-35, Minden
•    Parks’ Foodland, 188 Highland Street, Haliburton
•    Tim Horton’s drive-thru in Minden & Haliburton
•    MooseFm Radiostation 6am-6pm, 152 Highland Street, Haliburton

Hourly sponsorships available: call 705-457-1580, first come first served.
Plus special challenges and prizes throughout the day. Tune In! Call In!

To learn more about how HHHS is Here for You and how you can make a gift during the Radiothon which will be matched through the Muir’s Jericho Foundation, please visit the HHHS Foundation website: hhhs.ca/foundation. 
 
For more information about the campaign and to discuss how you can get involved please contact, Executive Director, Melanie Klodt Wong (mklodtwong@hhhs.ca) 705-457-1580

June 17, 2024
Generous gift brings campaign for CT and state-of-the-art mammography closer to the Haliburton Highlands 

The Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation (HHHS Foundation) Here for You in the Highlands campaign has received a significant boost thanks to a generous gift and pledge from long-time supporters Scott and Chere Campbell, who have made a substantial initial donation of $500,000 and have committed to matching community donations up to $500,000.

Scott Campbell stated, "This campaign is very important to improve health services locally for full and part-time residents, so we wanted to support the campaign with a significant gift personally.  Our experience is that when people know their gift will be doubled with a match, it really encourages people to give. We also wanted to work with the Foundation to make this matching opportunity available.”

The HHHS Foundation is raising funds to bring CT Scan and advanced Mammography equipment to the County along with other tools such as a new ultrasound unit and upgrading the Picture Archiving Communications System (PACS). This equipment will significantly improve the quality and speed of access to diagnostic imaging services locally. It is an important step forward in building a modern complement of healthcare services in the County that are Here for You when you need them.

“This is a real milestone for the Foundation.” said David Blodgett, Chair of the HHHS Foundation, “When the matching portion is achieved, this will be the largest gift by individuals ever received by the Foundation. We are very grateful for the generosity and leadership of Scott and Chere Campbell.”

"As I engage with individuals throughout the County, there is an overwhelming desire for better access to health services locally," stated HHHS CEO Veronica Nelson. "We are profoundly grateful for the generous support from Scott and Chere Campbell. We also need your support and appreciate every contribution to the enhancement of wellness and care at HHHS."

With the gift from the Campbells, the HHHS Foundation has reached 78% percent of the $4.3-million goal. The HHHS Foundation will continue the Here for You campaign to raise funds for additional technologies that are badly needed, such as a new x-ray suite, to be able to respond to the evolving needs of the community. 

While the Ontario Ministry of Health provides operating funds to HHHS, it counts on communities to raise the capital funds for new equipment.

“We are asking everyone across the County – full-time residents, part-time residents, cottagers, businesses, visitors – to open their hearts as the Campbells have done to contribute now,” said Tayce Wakefield, lead volunteer for the Here for You Campaign. “If we all give at the level that we can, we will raise the funds the HHHS team needs to enhance care for us all.”   

To learn more about how HHHS is Here for You and how you can make a gift which Scott & Chere Campbell’s pledge will match, please visit the Foundation website: hhhs.ca/foundation
 
For more information about the campaign and to discuss how you can get involved please contact, Executive Director, Melanie Klodt Wong (mklodtwong@hhhs.ca) 705-457-1580

HHHS is Here for You in the Highlands

May 13, 2024

The Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation (the Foundation) is celebrating a $500,000 gift from the Cockwell Family and Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve Ltd. This is the largest single corporate gift to be received by the Foundation to date, and will support Diagnostic Imaging at Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS).
 
“As a major employer in the County we want to ensure that our employees, their families, all residents and visitors to the region have access to life-saving diagnostic tools locally, if and when they need them,” says Malcolm Cockwell, Managing Director of Haliburton Forest. 

“We are honoured to make this gift to help ensure the best health care resources are available in the area. I hope that this gift will encourage others to support this important initiative.”
 
The Foundation announced the fundraising target of $4.3 million for the expansion of Diagnostic Imaging services at HHHS in the fall. Soon afterwards, Haliburton County committed $1 million to the campaign. 
 
“We are very appreciative that Haliburton Forest and the Cockwell Family have made this significant contribution,” says Tayce Wakefield, lead volunteer for the Diagnostic Imaging campaign. “Along with the County commitment, this is a strong start for our fundraising campaign to improve local health care services.”
 
Local leaders applaud this transformative gift

“It is extremely heartening to see such a substantial donation being made by local private enterprise,” says Haliburton County Warden Liz Danielson. “Our sincere thanks are extended to the Cockwell Family and Haliburton Forest for this significant contribution towards health care in the County.”

“With this gift, Malcolm Cockwell and Haliburton Forest have demonstrated the kind of business leadership we know exists across the County,” says Murray Fearrey, Mayor of Dysart et al. “We thank them for their contribution and encourage others to consider supporting this important campaign.”
 
The new Diagnostic Imaging suite is currently under construction and the CT scanner is expected to arrive in June. The most modern digital mammography unit is expected later this year.
 
“It is exciting to see this transformational gift make an immediate impact. We are grateful to the Cockwell Family and Haliburton Forest for this gift in support of the Diagnostic Imaging expansion at HHHS,” says David Blodgett, Chair of the Board of the Foundation. “This gift is a further example of the exceptional generosity of those who live, work and visit the County.”
 
This positive impact speaks to the theme chosen for this campaign: ‘Here for You’ says Melanie Klodt Wong, Executive Director of the Foundation. “I recently spoke to a medical radiation technologist who mentioned that having services side-by-side will positively impact the experience of their patients.” 

The new equipment will significantly improve the quality and speed of access to diagnostic imaging services for patients and is the first step in building a strong complement of healthcare services in the County that are Here for You, when you need them. 

The volunteer fundraising team led by Wakefield has representatives from across the County including Kurtis Bishop, Bob Bullock, Michael Harrison, Peter Henry, Pat Kennedy, Mike McKeon, Klara Oyler, Roger Trull and Dale Walker supported by the HHHS Foundation Board of Directors.
 
Want to learn more about how HHHS is Here for You? Visit the Foundation website: hhhs.ca/foundation. 
 
For more information about the campaign and to discuss how you can get involved please contact, Executive Director, Melanie Klodt Wong (mklodtwong@hhhs.ca) 705-457-1580

Here for You Campaign for advancing health care in the Highlands

Haliburton Highlands Health Service Foundation has embarked on a $4.3-million campaign that will allow Haliburton Highlands Health Services to bring life-saving diagnostic imaging equipment to Haliburton County residents, guests, and visitors.

To enhance its important Diagnostic Imaging suite of services, HHHS has received approval from the Ministry of Health to purchase and operate technologically advanced CT Scanning and Mammography tomosynthesis equipment (CT Mammography).

CT Scanner critical addition to diagnostic imaging in the Highlands

There is a recognized older demographic in the geographic area served by HHHS. By 2029 Canadian Census data indicates the number of those 80+ in the Haliburton Highlands will increase by over 50 percent compared to 2019.  Older individuals often have complex medical conditions that increase with age. A CT scanner is a necessary tool to diagnose and monitor such conditions.

CT scans are used frequently to diagnose an injury and/or determine medical treatment, often in emergency situations. They can detect everything from life-threatening blood clots in the lungs, to brain hemorrhages, acute appendicitis, fractures, or internal bleeding caused by trauma. CT scan is also vital in diagnosing and monitoring pathologies like aneurysms and cancer treatment follow-up.

With an aging population and an abundance of high-risk recreational and work activities in the area, it is important that diagnostic imaging services are available close by. This will provide quick diagnoses of critical illnesses and injuries.

With these tools in the Highlands, it decreases the number of out-of-town transfers to other care facilities and expedites access to specialists. These trips are costly and can be difficult for many due to their health conditions. According to Haliburton Emergency Medical Services (EMS), they complete 300 transfers yearly to health care facilities outside the Highlands for patients requiring a CT scan which equates to $216,000 a year.

Bringing mammography screening closer to home

When breast cancer is diagnosed early, almost all patients will survive for a minimum of five years. However, if breast cancer is diagnosed at a later stage of the disease only three in ten will survive for at least 5 years according to Cancer Care Ontario. Bringing mammography close to home will decrease travel time and potential wait times for this important screening test.

Highlanders currently travel long distances to access mammography screening services. Quick and local access will encourage more people to book routine screening mammograms. The goal: as many people as possible screened for breast cancer at the earliest possible stage.

Why the $4.3-million campaign is important to Highlanders

The main advantages of having the most up-to-date diagnostic services:

• Local access to CT and mammography digital imaging, decreased turnaround times, decreased travel, decreased pressure on EMS transfers and peace of mind that vital diagnostic services are close to home.
• Patients can be assessed and the decision to treat locally or transport to a major centre can be done safer and more efficiently for the patient and the health care system.
• Attract and help retain health care professionals – doctors, nurses, allied health care professionals. Bringing more experts in their field to optimize health care in the Highlands.

For more information, please contact:  Melanie Klodt Wong, Executive Director | 705-457-1580 |  mklodtwong@hhhs.ca

January 12, 2024
CT Scan and Mammography one step closer to reality for the Highlands 

Tayce Wakefield, an experienced campaign volunteer and long-time resident of the Highlands, has agreed to assume the lead volunteer role in the upcoming Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation (HHHSF, the Foundation) capital campaign.  At the same time, the Foundation announced early results of the Believe in the Magic Giving Holiday Campaign. 

The campaign will focus on raising the funds required for the purchase and installation of new life-saving CT Scan and technologically-advanced Mammography equipment to be located at the Haliburton HHHS site. Local access to this diagnostic equipment will decrease turnaround times for diagnoses, reduce the requirement for and environmental costs of patient travel, and reduce the number of land and air EMS transfers.  

“We are thrilled that Tayce has agreed to take on this significant role to move the campaign forward,” says David Blodgett, HHHSF Chair. “She has been part of the Highlands for 30+ years and understands the importance of high-quality health care services close to home.” Supported by HHHSF staff and volunteers including the Board, Tayce will lead a team of volunteers committed to the campaign's success.  

“These technologies will make an important difference for full-time and seasonal residents.   I look forward to working with volunteers and staff to expand the base of financial support across the Highlands community, raise the necessary funds, and help position HHHS for the future”, said Tayce Wakefield. 

Along with the announcement of the Campaign Chair came the news about the results of the Believe in the Magic of Giving Holiday Campaign that included a matching gift of up to $50,000 from Walter Ozog in honour of his wife Anu Kerstin Lellep and his parents Sophia and Martin. The Magic of Giving total as of January 10 is over $238,000. 

 “Diagnostic imaging is more than a piece of technology.” says Veronica Nelson, President and CEO of Haliburton Highlands Health Services. Appointed to the role in early December, she has more than 30 years of experience in diagnostic imaging, was a member of the HHHS team in the past and has championed the need for modern diagnostic services in the Highlands for more than a decade. “Seeing CT and mammography come to life in the Highlands is an incredible step forward to optimize health and wellbeing in Haliburton County.” 

Given the aging population in the Highlands along with the abundance of high-risk work and recreational activities in the area, having diagnostic services available close by will provide quick diagnosis of critical illnesses and injuries. The information from diagnostic scans is sent to what is called the Picture Archiving Communications System (PACS) that stores and allows specialists across Ontario to securely evaluate images and provide the diagnosis to the Highlands health care team ensuring access to the best care as quickly as possible. 

“I am energized by the response I’ve received about the upcoming improvements in diagnostic services in the County,” says HHHSF Executive Director Melanie Klodt Wong. “The early support from the County and people like Walter Ozog who understand the importance of health care close by, have set a solid pace for the early stage of our $4.3-million campaign.” 

The Ontario Ministry of Health approved HHHS to purchase and operate the CT Scanner and technologically-advanced Mammography in July. The County of Haliburton approved a $1-million grant to support the purchase and installation of the equipment in December 2023. 
 

On November 28, 2023, the HHHS Foundation was thrilled to announce that Wally Ozog, a long-time time supporter of the HHHS Foundation will match Believe in the Magic of Giving donations starting on Giving Tuesday. In honour of his late partner, Anu Kerstin Lellep and his parents Sophia and Martin, Wally will match up to $50,000 toward this year’s holiday campaign. 

Wally's personal connection to HHHS and his desire to give back to the community demonstrates the positive impact that individuals can have when they come together for a common cause. This kind of support is crucial to fostering a healthy community and to building the resources needed to support wellness throughout Haliburton County. 

The HHHS Foundation is incredibly grateful for Wally's commitment and for the generosity of all those who contribute to the Believe in the Magic of Giving campaign. 

Thank you, Wally, for your inspiring gift and for helping for helping us make Magic all year long. Donations can be made by clicking on the "Donate Now" button above. 

August 11, 2023

The 17th Annual Highlands Health Radiothon will return on August 17th & 18^th from 6am-6pm, on 93.5 MooseFM. The Highlands Health Radiothon is fundraising in support of HHHS Community Support Service transportation needs – helping to ensure residents can get to and from life-saving medical appointments.

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) Community Support Services helps seniors and adults living with disabilities travel to and from medically-required appointments and social services. The need for transportation within the county is ever increasing and the current fleet of vehicles is not meeting the demand. The support and access these vehicles provide are vitally important for the health and wellbeing of our most vulnerable population.  Community Support Services’ (CSS) primary goal is to support their clients in maintaining and/or improving their independence as long as they wish to remain home. The CSS transportation team is often the first point of contact for those in need of services. We are raising funds to increase the fleet of reliable vehicles to meet the increased need and to ensure people can attend vital medical and social services appointments.

Amanda Rowden, Client Service Manager & Community Liaison for Community Support Services, Adult Day Program, Assisted Living and Supportive Housing says “we have seen a 30% increase in individual appointments since last year, and we are having to tell people we are unable to provide transportation in their time of need. Transportation is a major barrier for many folks in the county to receive vital health care services including cancer care, dialysis, day surgeries and mental health supports. The community needs more than what we have on the road right now.”

STATS

• Current fleet:
  • 2015- Mercedes Benz – with wheelchair conversion, passenger vehicle
  • 2016-Chevy City Express LT – Meals on Wheels cargo van
  • 2018-Dodge Promaster – with wheelchair conversion, passenger vehicle
• # of passenger trips
  • April 2021 to March 2022 - 7335 trips
  • April 2022 to March 2023 - 8489 trips
  • April 2023 to June 2023 - 2678 trips
  • PROJECTED April 2023 to March 2024 - 10,712 trips

Executive Director, Melanie Klodt Wong shares, “This is a strong community that supports each other and HHHS Community Support Services does an amazing job of helping people stay in their homes as long as possible, providing vital services for vulnerable seniors and adults. These services are bolstered by the unwavering volunteer drivers and staff who help people get to appointments – but it is not enough. We are hoping to bring together this tightknit community and visitors alike to support local health care needs in Haliburton County.

The Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation staff and volunteers are excited to partner with 93.5 MooseFM to bring awareness to one of the many areas of local health care that needs our financial support. Together, let’s use this two-day event to celebrate access to transportation with those who live, play and listen in Haliburton County. 

Please encourage your friends, neighbours and communities to support! Join us by listening, donating, presenting a challenge or providing a prize to encourage others to pledge their support.

How you can participate:

• Call to donate: 705-457-1580
• Donate online:  https://www.hhhs.ca/foundation/give 
• Sponsor an hour: call now while supplies last
• Spread the word: Amplify our reach by sharing our posts on social media. You can find us on Facebook @hhhsf and on Instagram @hhhsfoundation

Join us onsite at 152 Highland Street and tune in to 93.5 MooseFM for a fun-filled 2-day marathon of supporting folks who love to live in Haliburton County. Together, we can make a difference in our community’s health services.

June 26, 2023

Dear Residents, Cottagers and Visitors, 

Now more than ever there is reason to care for each other. As the Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation we are very aware of how our actions affect others in all of the communities that we serve. 

The Foundation is deeply concerned for the community, and the individuals who are affected by the recent changes. And we are in awe of how neighbours have come together to support one another at this time and are grateful that people are looking out for each other. 
We are also unbelievably thankful to the health care workers who continue to support our health care needs. We don’t know what we would do without them.

We want to continue to support our community and our health care teams the only way we can - by raising funds for equipment and services that are not funded by the government or government agencies.

The needs of our community are continuing to grow and the recent events in local health care shows us that we need to increase our investment in care. We will do whatever we can to provide additional support to keep health care in our county, especially emergency care. 
The HHHS Foundation is not involved in operations; we are an independent fundraising not-for-profit created to financially support areas of Haliburton Highlands Health Services that are not funded by the government. We continue to raise funds for equipment that will help health care workers be their best and to help in the efforts to bring more qualified workers to the county. We can’t affect wages for workers but we can give them the tools to be their best. 

We support community members who need help through programs like Meals on Wheels and Medically Required Transportation so that they can enjoy a few hot meals a month or get to important life-saving appointments.  We also help our two long term care facilities and staff education.  All of this is made possible through the generosity of residents and cottagers alike.  

We hope that you can find a moment in the next little while to provide additional care and kindness to your community and your local health care teams. To financially support these efforts, donations can be made on the hhhs.ca/foundation website or through our events and campaigns which will continue to run throughout the summer months and beyond. 

Your support and care, however big or small, is greatly appreciated.  

With Respect,  
Board of Directors
HHHS Foundation