Prince George, B.C. – The Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation has received a cheque worth $150,000 to help purchase additional medical equipment for use in Prince George.

The cheque was written by the Auxiliary to UHNBC to mark Canada’s 150^th birthday and was presented this morning at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.

“This is amazing. Quite a few months ago the mayor had issued a challenge to organizations within the city to do something to honour Canada’s 150^th birthday,” said Judy Neiser, CEO, Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation. “So, we couldn’t have picked a better partner to work with – the auxiliary is 100 per cent a funding partner of ours.”

She says the money will go towards the Breast Health Imaging Centre at UHNBC.

“The digital mammography units were funded by the government but there’s all sorts of other equipment that makes it a one-stop shop imaging centre. So, that’s what this will go towards and it’s part of a $500,000 campaign that we’ve been working towards since last fall.”

Linda Hohn, past president of the Auxiliary to UHNBC, says the money was raised through sales at their gift shop at the hospital and its downtown thrift store.

“This is wonderful. The breast imaging clinic is going to make it so great for women and men to be able to get the care that they need immediately. There won’t be a waiting period, it’ll be right now and that’s what we’ve been waiting for.”