The St. Joseph’s Healthcare Auxiliary has received a sizable head start as it fundraises for its latest commitment to the hospital.
The auxiliary presented a cheque for $200,000 to the hospital on Wednesday morning. The money is through a donation from the estate of Tom and Irma Trofimenkoff, as well as an allocation from the United Way Estevan. The auxiliary is a United Way agency.
The auxiliary has started to fundraise for the refurbishment of one of the two x-ray suites at the hospital. With an estimated cost of $320,000, it includes the x-ray unit and all of the related technology.
Auxiliary treasurer Darla Wilhelm marvelled at the generosity of the Trofimenkoff couple.
“It has been a really big godsend for us, and I’ve been quite emotional about it,” said Wilhelm, who noted the Trofimenkoffs were long-time supporters of the auxiliary.
The auxiliary was going to tackle a smaller project this time, but they decided to fundraise for the x-ray suite after learning of the estate donation.
“The x-ray equipment is getting older and breaking down, and it needs to be replaced, and we decided we wanted to do a complete suite,” said Wilhelm.
The Trofimenkoffs’ niece, Debbie Lapitsky, and their nephew, Harvey Schindel, are the executors of the estate.
“They wanted to see good things happen in their community, and we’re so proud to carry out their wishes,” said Lapitsky.
A large donation from the Trofimenkoffs was announced for the new Estevan Regional Nursing Home committee late last year.
Hospital CEO Greg Hoffort and board chair Don Kindopp paid tribute to the impact that the auxiliary has on the hospital, and of the generosity of the Trofimenkoffs.
Tiana Palmer from the x-ray department said the equipment in the one unit is at least 10 years old.
“It will definitely help out with our efficiency. We’re able to cut our timing in half for x-rays, so instead of coming for a 10-minute procedure, it will probably be cut down to five, as it’s digital and we don’t have to process the images anymore,” said Palmer.
Wilhelm also applauded the work of the United Way for all they’ve done for the community.
Next week’s edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
