TREE OF LIGHTS CAMPAIGN
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| 2026 Tree of Lights Letter |  | 794.92KB | |
| Click the link above to download a copy of our 2026 Tree of Lights letter featuring Carol Van Massenhoven of Brudenell. | |||
Give Your Gift of Enhanced Images!
On the farm, anything can happen. 
Carol and Joe Van Massenhoven know that better than most. After decades of raising a family and working their farm in Brudenell, they’ve experienced their share of unexpected injuries. When those moments come, they’re grateful to know that St. Francis Memorial Hospital is close to home.
Carol and Joe were visiting the area in the 1970s when they first fell in love with Brudenell.
Enjoying the day on horseback, they came across an expansive farm and met the owner. They admired the property and Joe asked the owner to contact him if he ever considered selling. A year later, while working their farm in Southern Ontario, they received the call. Carol and Joe packed up their four kids and made the move to their new property in 1979. They’ve been operating the farm here ever since.
Knowing that there was a hospital nearby secured the deal.
“It was good to know that St. Francis Memorial Hospital was close, because our kids were younger and we rode horses,” Carol said.
Farm animals can cause their share of bumps and bruises, and for Joe, a few more serious injuries over the years. After being thrown from a horse, he suffered fractures to his pelvis and leg.
He was rushed to St. Francis Memorial Hospital where he received timely X-rays to diagnose the severity of his injuries.
Having access to a local X-ray unit meant that Carol and Joe didn’t have to travel to another hospital further away from the farm.
As a rural community, we are fortunate to have access to a 24/7 diagnostic imaging department, where patients like Carol and Joe can receive reliable imaging when they need it. Without government funding, the Foundation is called to raise funds to purchase the critical yet costly imaging equipment.
We need your help this holiday season. The X-ray machine at St. Francis Memorial Hospital is approaching the end of its life and needs to be replaced.
This holiday season, your gift can help bring new imaging technology to our hospital and strengthen care for patients right here at home.
We are incredibly fortunate to have loyal donors whose generosity makes a meaningful difference at St. Francis Memorial Hospital throughout the year. Because of their support, patients and families in our community can continue to count on reliable diagnostic imaging when they need it most.
HERE WHEN YOU NEED IT
St. Francis Memorial Hospital has been there for the Van Massenhovens through more than one unexpected accident.
Earlier this year, Carol experienced again just how quickly a normal day on the farm can change.
Carol is turning 80 this December and Joe is 88. They’re still very active on their farm, even cutting their own wood to heat their home.
In February, Carol was helping with the wood splitter when the unexpected occurred. As the wood split, a piece shot back and struck her in the forehead, knocking her unconscious. She was accustomed to seeing pieces of wood fly from the machine, but never had she experienced anything like this.
When she came to, her family rushed her to the hospital, where she was examined in the emergency department. A bedside X-ray was administered due to the nature of her injuries. She discovered that in addition to suffering a concussion, she also had broken her hip when she fell.
Timely results allowed physicians to care for her injuries quickly, giving the family peace of mind as she began the recovery process.
Carol said she is grateful for the care she and Joe have received over the years from the diagnostic imaging team at St. Francis Memorial Hospital.
“They're all very good and caring. I've never had any reason to complain” Carol said. “They've always been very good to Joe and I.”
The current X-ray unit at St. Francis Memorial Hospital was installed in 2012 and is reaching its end of service life. As the equipment ages, the unit may experience increasing down time. Replacing the machine will help ensure the community continues to have timely access to this essential diagnostic service close to home.
X-ray is one of the most heavily used diagnostic services at the hospital with approximately 7,500 exams performed each year. Amanda Dumas is the Diagnostic Imaging Charge Technologist at St. Francis Memorial Hospital. She said that a new system will help ensure residents can continue to receive high-quality diagnostic imaging locally, reducing delays and minimizing the need to travel outside of the region.
“Behind every X-ray is a person who needs answers. Whether someone is dealing with an injury, in pain, or waiting for a diagnosis, our job is to provide the best possible care as safely and comfortably as we can,” she said. “A new X-ray system will help us do that for the thousands of patients who rely on this service every year.”
This holiday season, our Hospital will be here for us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ready to provide the care our community depends on. If it is within your means, your gift will help bring enhanced X-ray imaging to St. Francis Memorial Hospital, ensuring our care teams have the equipment they need to be there for you and your loved ones.
A GIFT FOR THE FUTURE
As farm life required numerous trips to St. Francis Memorial Hospital over the years, Carol and Joe have become avid supporters of the Tree of Lights Campaign. They understand the important role donor support plays in helping provide equipment for local healthcare.
“I just believe we all need to do what we can to help,” Carol said. “I always donate with other people in mind, people who've passed. I really feel that's a way of celebrating their life and appreciating what they've given to the community.”
This holiday season, as their family gathers at the farm, the Van Massenhovens can take comfort in knowing they’re doing their part to keep quality care close to home for generations to come.
You can make a difference, too. Together, we can raise the $415,000 needed to bring enhanced diagnostic imaging to our community. Your gift will bring us one step closer.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for considering a gift to this important campaign and for caring so deeply about local healthcare.
