Health / MRI appeal nears key milestone as donations continue
THE SHETLAND MRI scanner appeal is expected to reach £750,000 today (Tuesday), which is nearly half way to its target of £1.6 million.
Donations have still been received during the coronavirus crisis despite the appeal being out of the spotlight.
Fundraising manager Derek Hart said: “It is now very clear that having an MRI scanner in Shetland is crucial for the health and safety of the community in coming years.
“Having an MRI Scanner based at the Gilbert Bain Hospital will without a doubt reduce a great deal of travel to the mainland for many of our community’s most vulnerable members.”
Fundraising for the MRI scanner is expected to restart again as lockdown eases, although activities will adhere to social distancing.
MRI scanners can diagnose cancer, strokes, heart conditions and many other conditions and it would complement a CT scanner that was bought for Shetland in 2007 following a massive public drive.
Having the MRI scanner at Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick should help cut out journeys to Aberdeen for the 675 Shetland patients per year who must travel south to have a scan.
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