CARIBOU, Maine — Officials with Key Bank have pledged $30,000 donation to the new Women’s Imaging Center at Cary Medical Center. The hospital is now in the midst of a $800,000 capital campaign. The gift from the bank has taken the project past $565,000.
The new imaging center will offer state-of-the-art digital mammography and stereotactic biopsy. Stereotactic biopsy is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure that is not currently available in Aroostook County. In addition to the new digital mammography and stereotactic biopsy the new center will feature a unique patient navigation program. A breast care coordinator will assist patients as they navigate various exams and follow-up procedures.
Steve Gagnon, senior vice president with Key Bank said that the donation is part of an ongoing relationship with Cary Medical Center.
“Cary Medical Center has always been in the forefront of health care in the state,” said Gagnon, who made the presentation on July 8 at the Caribou Country Club. “Key Bank has a long history of partnering with the hospital on projects that advance the level of technology, overall quality of care and other services to advance the quality of life in northern Maine.”
“The new Women’s Imaging Center represents a great advancement for women’s health in Aroostook County,” Gagnon added.
“This new center will advance the early detection and treatment of breast cancer right here in The County, preventing women from having to travel to Bangor or beyond for such advanced care,” Gagnon said. “Key Bank is pleased to support this effort and we encourage other members of the corporate community to join in this campaign to advance women’s health services.”
Mary Harrigan, executive director of the Jefferson Cary Foundation said that the gift from Key Bank represents a milestone for the project.
“This generous donation from Key Bank represents the largest corporate gift to date for our campaign and brings our project over $560,000,” said Harrigan, who is coordinating the capital campaign. “This is the largest capital campaign we have ever conducted, including the building of the new hospital. We are very grateful to Key Bank and all of our corporate sponsors.”
Pam Scheppele, president of the Jefferson Cary Foundation board of directors, said the initial response from the business community has been extraordinary.
“We have been very pleased with the response of the corporate community to our capital campaign,” said Scheppele, who has served as board president over the past five years. “We are now engaging multiple businesses throughout the region seeking their support.”
The campaign, she said, got off to a great start with a fund-drive within the hospital itself.
“We began our campaign with a drive within the hospital family,” she said. “We set a goal of $100,000 and we are now approaching $150,000 and growing. This is truly remarkable and helps to set a standard as we move on to the broader community effort.”
The Cary Medical Center Auxiliary has contributed $100,000 to date and anticipates another $100,000 donation in October. The Jefferson Cary Foundation itself has made a $90,000 contribution from funds raised at the Cary Classic Benefit Golf Tournament and other fund-raising events in recent years.
For more information on the campaign or to make a contribution contact Harrigan at the Jefferson Cary Foundation 493-4849.
