By Trey Boivin
BELLEVILLE – The $47,000 raised last week by the Belleville General Hospital Foundation will go towards purchasing one of six air ventilators that are a part of the expansion of the intensive care unit at the Belleville General Hospital.
The hospital plans to add another four rooms to the already existing 14 ICU rooms at the Belleville General Hospital.
Typically, new ventilators cost $47,000, according to the executive director for the foundation, Steve Cook, during an interview with QNet News.
The foundation raised $10,000 from a charity event, McDonald’s Save a Life Day, on Sept. 16.
Two days later, local business owners and philanthropists, Armin and Marilyn Quickert stepped in to pay the rest of the balance.
Thrilled that “McDonalds Saves A Life Day” raised $10,000 towards a new ventilator at BGH! Thanks to all the amazing volunteers & team members that pitched in. A new ventilator costs $47,000, you can help us reach our goal, donate today! https://t.co/bLidZPwMIe #McDonalds #bghf pic.twitter.com/r0pTkDLAKp
— Belleville General Hospital Foundation (@bghfoundation) September 18, 2020
The Quickerts are the owners of Reid’s Dairy company.
“(They) are long-term supporters of the foundation, spanning over 20 years. They have an affinity for healthcare.”
The Ministry of Health gave the foundation a grant of $4 million to aid in the four-phase ICU expansion project, which is expected to cost $5.5 million. The remaining $1.5 million will be made up by the community via various fundraisers and charity events, according to Cook.
Typically in November, the foundation begins to compile a list of required replacement equipment to be purchased the following year for the hospital. This list costs on average $1.5 to $1.8 million and will be added to the $5.5-million project come February 2021, Cook says.
The addition of four extra ICU rooms requires 5-6 ventilators and is estimated to be in working condition in the summer of 2021, says Cook.
The project is currently in the “demolition phase,” said Cook, which will lay the foundation for the rooms to be built.
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