The local hospital just added a much-needed piece of equipment to its Christmas wish list after the Worldwide Wellness and Pain Control Organization (WWPCO) donated $220,000 from the sale of its building on Algonquin Ave. to support community healthcare needs.
After 24 years, the local charity is winding down its operations.
Founder and President, Margaret Lafontaine, started the organization in 1997. “It has been a real joy to help people and serve our community,” she stated in a news release.
Her passion was ignited when her husband passed away in 1988 from bone cancer.
“He was in so much pain and in those days pain control was not as advanced as it is today. I wanted to do what I could to ensure patients had access to pain pumps. We fundraised to purchase, maintain and train nurses on how to use them,” Lafontaine said.
The work of the WWPCO grew over time and its mission was to assist the community at large to learn how to maintain optimum health despite diagnosed illness and life trauma.
The decision to wind down the charity was made in September and its board decided that the proceeds from the building could continue to have an impact on the health of the community.
"True to its mission, the funds will support the purchase of an echo ultrasound machine at the cost of $200,000 and two infusion pumps at $10,000 each," said the release.
Manager of Diagnostic Imaging, Steve Touliopoulos explained. “Similar to traditional ultrasound machines, it differs in that they are customized to solely look at the heart, whereas other ultrasound machines look at every other part of the body. Echo ultrasound performs an echocardiogram to diagnose heart problems.
It gives a graphic outline of the heart's movement. During an echo test, an ultrasound from a hand-held wand placed on your chest provides pictures of the heart's valves and chambers and helps the sonographer evaluate the pumping action of the heart.
The current machine was purchased prior to 2011 and is in need of replacement. "We are also considering the purchase of a second machine to help address wait times in our community,” said Touliopoulos.
Foundation President Tammy Morison was moved by the presentation.
“This donation will be a lasting testament to the passion and dedication Margaret Lafontaine and the WWPCO have for healing and wellness. It will have an impact on the health and well-being of our community for years to come."
