Dufferin-Caledon community raises money for new machine at Headwaters

By ALYSSA PARKHILL

Local Journalism

Initiative Reporter

Once again, the community has come together to help support Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC) in funding necessary equipment.

The Orangeville-based organization, the Morningview Foundation, is set to match all donations made by the community, up to a whopping amount of $200,000.

Beginning on November 1, 2020 and continuing through December 31, donations reached over $200,000.

With over $400,000 raised through the community and the matched donation by the Morningview Foundations, HHCC was able to purchase a brand-new mammography machine that is equipped with 3D printing to help support breast cancer patients. 

This new machine provides more accurate results and screening for dense breasts, seeks earlier detection of breast cancer in those who have symptoms and those without.

The machine also reduces the chances of receiving false-positive results. 

“The new mammography machine at Headwaters will enable us to acquire high quality digital mammographic images efficiently while minimizing radiation exposure and maximizing our ability to detect breast cancer as early as possible,” said Dr. Dan Mozeg of HHCC.

Mammography machines are highly expensive. The machine itself in fact costs more than $400,000, but thanks to a long-time community member, a donation was made in January which allowed the hospital to have the right amount to purchase the machine. 

“With the introduction of the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) to Headwaters several years ago, the need for high quality breast imaging and diagnosis continues to increase and the acquisition of this new machine will help us to meet this need and care for our patients,” said Dr. Mozeg.

The OBSP is a program that recommends and encourages women to get screened for breast cancer. Two different women are categorized in the program which includes women at average risk and those at high risk. 

The recommendation is for women between the ages of 50 to 74 to get screened every two years. The benefits to these screenings are if breast cancer is found early enough, treatment has a better chance, and it is said to be less likely to have spread to other parts of the body. 

Women who are 50 to 74 are eligible to receive these screenings through the OBSP if they have no new symptoms, have no personal history of breast cancer, no breast implants, have not had a mastectomy and have not had a screening in the past year. 

“Thanks to our community, including the Morningview Foundation, for the difference your support will make in the lives of our patients and their families. Thanks to you, a new mammography machine is en-route to Headwaters. We quite simply could not have done it without you,” said Headwaters Health Care Foundation CEO Dora Boylen-Pabst. 

For further information, visit hhcfoundation.com.