Look At Us Grow

bboyce • May 5, 2023

Look at us Grow

By Briar Boyce

It’s spring! How we anticipate its arrival each year after the dreary days of winter. We emerge from layers of clothing and blankets and enjoy more hours of daylight. If you’re like me, you plan to get outside and plant flowers and hope the lawnmower will start. The anticipation of green grass and flowering gardens is high and we willingly take on the responsibility of caring for our gardens to help them grow and flourish.


When I think about growth, I think about our golf tournament and where we started versus where we are today.


Eight years ago, RE/MAX Quinte and the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) hosted the inaugural Teeing Up Fore Health Care golf classic on a sunny day in June. Seventy-six golfers teed off and raised $22,000 for an echocardiogram machine. Little did I know, our biggest growth was ahead of us.

Fast forward to present day, PECMHF continues to partner with RE/MAX on this tournament. We have grown the tournament exponentially – selling out months in advance and welcoming so many friendly sponsors and golfers back each year.

Since inception, over $200,000 has been raised for medical equipment needed at our hospital. Our participants have made a difference by helping to place medical equipment in the skilled hands of our doctors, nurses and technologists. We are so grateful.

 

On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, RE/MAX and PECMHF will host the 8th annual Teeing Up Fore Health Care Golf Classic at the Picton Golf and Country Club.

 

Proceeds will support the advancement of patient care in our community through the purchase of a mammography machine that will be installed in our new County hospital at an estimated cost of $500,000. The golf tournament launches our mammography campaign this year, and our Back the Build campaign cabinet will be fundraising for this important machine throughout the rest of the year.

 

Mammograms are among the most powerful breast cancer detection tools available. Last year, our technologists performed over 1,550 breast exams at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH). Our current mammography machine is over 10 years old and is past its recommended lifespan.


Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers). It is estimated that one in eight Canadian women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime and one in 34 will die from it.

 

Digital mammography plays a critical role in the early screening and diagnosis of breast disease. This equipment has the ability to accurately show changes in breast tissue long before the patient or physician is able to feel a lump. These changes may involve the following: calcifications, masses, asymmetries, or distortions, and can be as small as a pencil eraser!


Because priority equipment purchases are not government funded, the hospital foundation is looking to the community to ‘chip in’ their support to help bring this lifesaving diagnostic imaging equipment to our hospital.



There will be many opportunities to contribute to the fundraising efforts underway for the mammography machine. If you would like to support this through our golf tournament, consider purchasing a hole sponsorship at just $150.00. We are also accepting donations for prizes for our live and silent auction.

 

We are so appreciative to the golfers and sponsors who support our hospital. With 96 golfers reserved, our tournament is tentatively sold out. If you’re interested in playing, we would love to add you to our waiting list. Please call 613-476-1008 ext. 4425 or email me at bboyce@qhc.on.ca if you are able to help or are interested in playing.

 

It is through the generosity of our community that PECMHF can grow our resources and provide equipment to our Care Champions allowing them to deliver exceptional care when it is needed most. We cannot do this without our supporters.

 

Like caring for our gardens, caring for our hospital through donor support helps keep our community healthy and flourishing.

 

For information about our hospital, or to make a donation call 613 476 1008 ext. 4507, or visit our website at www.pecmhf.ca.

 



Kilroy Family
January 29, 2026
Show your love for PECMH and double your impact today!
Picton Legion Poppy Fund
January 8, 2026
PECMH Foundation is grateful to receive a $10K donation from the Picton Legion Poppy Fund, supporting the campaign to replace an aging digital mammography machine.
Wellington Rotary
December 22, 2025
Wellington Rotary’s Roaring ’20s Fundraiser Strengthens PECM Hospital Foundation with Nearly $7,000 Gift
November 24, 2025
The Rotary Club of Picton has once again demonstrated its long-standing dedication to strengthening local healthcare by presenting a $5,000 donation to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation in support of the Back the Build campaign.  The contribution represents funds raised through several Rotary-led community initiatives, including their annual Rotary Golf Tournament , the Waterfalls Tour , Rotary Cash Calendars and the Lilac Ride . These events continue to play a significant role in ensuring the Foundation meets our $30M Back the Build campaign goal for the new PECMH. For more than 23 years, the Rotary Club of Picton has been a steadfast partner in improving healthcare in PEC—contributing close to $225,000 to date. This includes a generous $100,000 pledge toward Back the Build campaign that was fulfilled in 2023. These funds help to ensure the new hospital is equipped with the modern tools and technology needed to serve patients today and for generations to come. “The Rotary Club of Picton has a deep and enduring commitment to community service, and supporting our hospital is a natural extension of that mission,” said J.J. Johnston, Rotary Club of Picton President. “We are proud to continue contributing to a project that will have a lasting impact on everyone in Prince Edward County.” “We are grateful for Rotary’s leadership, generosity, and community spirit,” said Shannon Coull, Executive Director, PECMH Foundation. “Their ongoing support of this campaign helps ensure our new hospital will provide the high-quality care our community deserves. Rotary truly embodies what it means to give back to the County.” The PECMH Foundation extends its sincere thanks to the Rotary Club of Picton for their support of local healthcare and their thoughtful contribution toward building and equipping the new hospital.
November 21, 2025
PECMH Foundation is celebrating a major milestone in its Back the Build campaign following a generous $600,000 grant from the RBC Foundation Community Infrastructure Fund.
November 20, 2025
Past Chairs Unite at the New Hospital Site to Reflect on Legacy and Celebrate Progress
November 14, 2025
The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation is proud to announce a generous $10,000 donation from the Rogers family and Keint-he Winery and Vineyards.
October 31, 2025
BLOOMFIELD, October 28, 2025 – What began as a way to bring isolated people together safely to make cherished holiday memories during the Covid pandemic … grew over 5 years resulting in over 3,000 people (and countless pets) being photographed at ANDARA Gallery’s annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event … raising over $35,000 for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation.  Today, Tara Wilkinson and Andrew Csafordi are proud to announce that this beloved program will be transitioning over to The Eddie Farm & Hotel for the 2025 Holiday season … and beyond. “We have loved every minute of our five years hosting this special holiday fundraiser! The program has grown so much and now requires more energy and resources. We couldn’t be more thrilled to hand the reins of this beautiful annual tradition over to the stewardship of Alex Portman and Michael von Teichman at The Eddie Hotel and Farm … the epitome of “Christmas in the County”. We know their team will do a great job continuing this treasured tradition for County residents and visitors in support of our beloved hospital”, said Tara Wilkinson, co-owner of ANDARA Gallery. Artists Tara and Andrew will continue to focus on creating, exhibiting and selling contemporary fine art paintings, photography, digital art and ceramics year-round from their colourful ANDARA Gallery - named one of Ontario’s Top 10 Best Art Galleries by TripAdvisor earlier this year. ANDARA Gallery’s upcoming holiday art show and sale, “LUMINOUS” will run November 15th through December 6th and then December 16th to 23rd from 11 AM to 5 PM. For more information, visit www.andaragallery.com. The 6th Annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event will take place at its new location, The Eddie Hotel and Farm located at 15786 Loyalist Parkway (between Bloomfield and Wellington) in Prince Edward County … Thursdays through Sundays between Noon and 6 PM starting on Thursday, December 4th and running through Sunday, December 21st, 2025. The event will now be known as “Holiday Photos at The Red Barn”. Residents and visitors can now make an advance reservation for their group photo time through www.theeddie.ca/holiday-photo-in-the-barn. Guests will check in a Nellie’s Cheese Shop located in The Red Barn where they can make their donation to PECMH Foundation’s “Back the Build” campaign, purchase a snack, hot chocolate, mulled cider and other holiday gifts. You then bring your own fully charged camera and choose from one of 3 photo areas in and around The Red Barn. Eddie staff will be available to assist with taking your photo or you can use one of the iphone camera stands available at each photo location. All they ask in return is for a donation to PECMH Foundation’s “Back the Build” campaign. “We suggest a donation of $10 per group, but a larger donation is welcome if you can afford it, and less is fine if you can’t” says Alex. An income tax receipt will be issued by the PECMHF for all donations over $100. To make your reservation for the 6th Annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event at The Eddie Hotel and Farm, go to www.theeddie.ca/holiday-photo-in-the-barn. “We are delighted to be taking over the annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event from Tara and Andrew at ANDARA Gallery and bringing it to The Eddie Hotel and Farm. It seemed like such a good fit since our property is already so decorated after The Red Barn Holiday Market - which takes place the last weekend of November each year. We loved the idea of people being able to capture their family memories over the years against the backdrop of “The Eddie”, says says Alex Portman, Co-owner of The Eddie Hotel and Farm. “We are delighted to continue this wonderful tradition of providing such a joyful experience for our community that brings people together to create holiday memories while raising much needed funds for the new hospital,” says Michael Von Teichman, Co-Owner of The Eddie Hotel and Farm. “Thank you to Andrew and Tara of ANDARA Gallery and everyone who has supported this event over the past five years. We look forward to continuing this wonderful holiday tradition with Alex and Mike at The Eddie Hotel and Farm. No matter the size, every donation makes a difference in the care you and your family will receive in our new hospital,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “We look forward to everyone coming out to support this festive fundraiser again this year as we work to modernize and enhance health care services to ensure people living in and visiting our community continue to have access to care close to home.” The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital. -30- PHOTO CAPTION: (L-R) Holiday Photo in the Barn Founders and ANDARA Gallery Co-Owners, Andrew Csafordi and Tara Wilkinson, celebrate the transition of their annual fundraiser over to The Eddie Hotel and Farm in Prince Edward County with (Centre) Nancy Parks, PECMHF Back the Build Chairperson and (R), the Eddie’s Co-Owners, Michael von Teichman and Alex Portman. Photo Credit: Staff, The Eddie Hotel and Farm.
October 28, 2025
The inaugural Partners in Pink Golf Tournament, held on October 9, was a swinging success, raising just over $64,000
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160
October 17, 2025
The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation is grateful to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 in Wellington for their generous $3,000 grant from the Poppy Fund to support the purchase of a new mammography machine for our new hospital.
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