My name is Derek Clark and I live in Palgrave with my wife Janet. We have two kids and became grandparents last year. We have an active lifestyle, and both enjoy volunteering in our community. Last year we helped at Hockey Night in Dufferin-Caledon, and it was quite rewarding being part of such a successful event helping to raise money for a new MRI machine.
Of course we all want to have our health care needs looked after within a reasonable distance from our home, and in an acceptable amount of time. The reality of this hit home for me when I was diagnosed with pneumonia and needed to go to Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC). Being a double lung transplant recipient, this was a truly scary situation for me.
When I entered the Emergency Department at Headwaters, it felt good to be treated as a person and not a number. I was screened, registered, diagnosed, and given a bed within four hours. I was treated by Dr. Nadarajah, a knowledgeable physician with extensive experience treating organ transplant recipients like me.
The staff at our local hospital are professional, experienced, and well-trained. They listen to their patients. The nurses who cared for me were highly skilled and I felt comfortable even as they were finding a vein to insert my IV treatments. I found it invaluable being close to home so my wife Janet could visit during my stay.
Headwaters provided exceptional health care to me, showing me how vital it is to have a great hospital close to home. I work for a regulated health college, so I fully understand the importance of supporting health care workers, improving patient outcomes and giving back to your local hospital.
Every year, Headwaters must replace many pieces of medical equipment with up-to-date technology. New equipment comes at a significant cost, and isn’t funded by the government, so it’s up to us as a community to fund the high priority equipment for our local hospital.
As much as I hope I not to need hospital services in the future, knowing that Headwaters is able to look after my care puts me and my family at ease. I do know there will always be a need for equipment at our hospital. And if we give our medical professionals the best tools, we will attract the best medical professionals.
Because what happened to me could just as easily happen to you, or to someone you love, today I am asking you to make an investment in your community hospital. Please consider a generous gift. With the best equipment, Headwaters can continue to provide the state-of-the-art care you expect. I hope you can join me in giving to our local hospital.
Sincerely,
Derek Clark