Photo by Walter Passarella AJAX -- The Rouge Valley Health System Foundation is raising money for an MRI machine.  Lincoln Avenue Public Sschool became the first contributors to the campain with a $300 donation.  Celebrating June 11 were, from left, Rouge Valley staff Katherine Craine, Emily Moorhouse, Terry Walmsley and Jeff Hohenkerk with junior kindergarten student Warren Laughlin on his shoulders.  They were cheerleading and enteraining during the halftime of a pick-up basketball game between students and Rouge Valley Health staff.  June 11,2010

AJAX -- While the launch for a new fundraising campaign was filled with fun and games Friday, the need for an a new piece of equipment for the Ajax-Pickering hospital is no laughing matter.

The Rouge Valley Health System Foundation launched its 'Image is Everything' campaign Friday at Lincoln Avenue Public School in Ajax.  The foundation hopes to raise $5 million to give Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital its first Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine.  It will produce clear, detailed images of the body for improved diagnoses while offering greater comfort.  It will also allow for some freedom of movement and a quieter, shorter scan with no side effects.

“This is our time,” said Tracy Paterson, the foundation's vice-president of development, adding the new addition will coincide nicely with the hospital's redevelopment.

The campaign will wrap up on March 25, 2011 at Rouge Valley's annual gala.

“It's bold but you've got to be to make things happen,” she said.

The launch was held at Lincoln Alexander since the school was the first to donate to the campaign after the boys' and girls' basketball teams raised $350 through a bake sale and an international festival at the school's literacy night.  The launch ended with a basketball game between the school team and campaign volunteers.

“I have said many times that we're a very small school with a great big heart and today we're going to show that very big heart,” said school principal Martine Robinson, who added afterward the students will do another fundraising drive in September for Image is Everything.

The team's fundraiser began when the girls' team asked about their coach's age.

“I told the girls that if they raised money for any charity then I would tell them how old I am,” said Robyn Hadder, who revealed at the launch she's 27.

The students demonstrate the community involvement that's needed to help buy the MRI machine, no matter how big or small the contributions, and Ms. Paterson encourages community groups, individuals and schools to get on board and create fundraising campaigns to help out.

“It all adds up,” she said.

Ms. Paterson received MRIs herself when she battled breast cancer.

“It's a really stressful time,” she said.

Waiting for tests, and even the drive all become trying times.

“It's more comfortable being in your own community,” she said.

Ms. Paterson said people with a family history of breast cancer, breast cancer survivors, and even athletes with sports injuries, for example, are being referred more frequently for MRIs.

“This is a real fantastic campaign for us because it helps the whole hospital,” she said.

Ajax Mayor Steve Parish explained to the students that when he needed shoulder surgery in the past, he had to travel all the way to Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

“There is nothing more important in our community than to have great health care,” he said.

Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan, a member of the campaign committee, said he's invested in Image is Everything not only for the future of the community, but for the future of his own grandchildren.

VISIT: www.rougevalley.ca/rvhsf