Latest Updates from the Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation

As the colours of autumn begin to paint our communities and we gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, I am reminded of the incredible generosity that surrounds Campbellford Memorial Hospital.

For years, our community has dreamed of a new hospital. Following a provincial planning grant in 2025, that vision is gaining momentum. While the project remains in the planning stages, significant progress is bringing us closer to making it a reality. Planning and Progress Underway Land Preparation: Land severance has been approved, archaeological testing completed, and preliminary site planning is underway. The land transfer is expected later this year. Service Planning: Hospital leaders, health planners, and regional partners are developing a Clinical Services Plan and Master Program to guide future healthcare services. Community Engagement: Hospital leaders have been actively meeting with local councils and groups: First Nations, Alnwick-Haldimand, Asphodel-Norwood, Brighton, Centre Hastings, Cramahe Township, Hastings County, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, Madoc Township, Marmora and Lake, Northumberland County, Peterborough County, Stirling-Rawdon, and Trent Hills. In parallel, public information and engagement sessions and an online survey are gathering community input to help shape the future hospital and Campus of Care. Future-Focused Design: Planners are combining this community input with demographic data to determine the potential size, services, cost, and bed count of the facility. This ensures a flexible design tailored for modern trends like personalized medicine and digital health monitoring. Read Full Article

Whether you’re escaping the cold, visiting family, or setting off on a long-awaited adventure, good health is the key to a great trip. At MacLaren IDA Pharmacy, we believe that healthy travel starts before you even pack your suitcase. With the right preparation, advice, and a few essential items, you can enjoy your getaway with confidence and peace of mind. Here’s how to make your next journey your healthiest one yet. Plan Ahead for a Smooth Trip Good travel health begins well before departure. Start by reviewing any medications you take regularly. Do you have enough to last the entire trip—including an extra few days in case of delays? If not, visit us at MacLaren IDA Pharmacy to arrange timely refills. Our pharmacists can also help sync your medications so you’re never scrambling at the last minute. If you’re flying, think about time zones and dosing schedules. We can guide you on when to take your medications while travelling so you stay on track no matter where you’re headed. Consult with Our Pharmacist Before You Go Every destination is different, and some locations may require additional health considerations. Our pharmacist is here to provide personalized travel health consultations. We can discuss: Recommended vaccines Motion sickness prevention Managing allergies in new climates Tips for avoiding digestive upset How to prepare for long flights or long drives  Even small pieces of advice—like how to prevent swelling on flights or what to carry for safe hydration—can make a big difference in how you feel once you arrive. Build a Travel-Ready Health Kit Packing the right items is one of the best ways to stay healthy on the go. MacLaren IDA Pharmacy carries a full range of travel-friendly products to keep you comfortable and prepared, including: Travel-size toiletries Sunscreen and after-sun care Motion sickness remedies Allergy medications Pain and fever relief First aid essentials Electrolyte and hydration packets Nausea and stomach relief Medication organizers and pill cases Whether you’re lounging at a beach resort or exploring a new city, having these essentials on hand helps you handle unexpected hiccups with ease. Stay Healthy While You Travel A few simple habits can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable. Remember to: Stay hydrated, especially on planes and in warm climates. Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer. Give yourself time to adjust to new time zones. Protect your skin with SPF 50 and reapply regularly. Keep your prescription medications in your carry-on, not your checked luggage. If you’re prone to motion sickness, migraines, or seasonal allergies, we can recommend products tailored to your needs to help prevent symptoms before they start. We’re Here to Help You Travel Well At MacLaren IDA Pharmacy, your health and comfort are always our priority. Before you take off on your next adventure, stop by and let us help you prepare. With expert advice, trusted products, and personalized care, you’ll be ready to explore the world with confidence. Healthy travel truly starts here—right at MacLaren IDA Pharmacy.

September is World Alzheimer’s Month , a time to raise awareness and support families living with this disease. At MacLaren IDA Pharmacy, we’re committed to helping our community better understand Alzheimer’s and the resources available. What is Alzheimer’s? Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. It’s a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and daily activities. While age is the greatest risk factor, it is not a normal part of aging—and it can also affect younger people. Signs to Watch For Frequent memory loss Confusion with time or place Difficulty completing familiar tasks Personality or mood changes If you notice these symptoms, early medical advice is important. An early diagnosis gives families more time to plan, seek support, and manage care. Myths vs. Truths Myth: Alzheimer’s is normal aging. Truth: It’s a disease, not part of growing older. Myth: Nothing helps after diagnosis. Truth: Support, lifestyle changes, and medication can improve quality of life. How We Can Help At MacLaren IDA Pharmacy, we provide: Medication management Guidance on brain health and wellness Support for caregivers and families Together, We Make a Difference Alzheimer’s affects individuals and their loved ones—but with awareness and compassion, we can support each other. Visit us at MacLaren IDA Pharmacy, 79 Bridge St. E., Campbellford, for resources and care you can count

The Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation Celebrates the New Hospital Announcement!

Caring for Your Pets: How MacLaren IDA Pharmacy Fulfills Pet Prescriptions

Dear Friend, Angels walk among us – and today, you can be one of them. At Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH), our “Angels of Care” are people just like you—compassionate community members and grateful patients who make better health care close to home possible. At this special time of year, we ask all who are able to help fund the hospital’s most pressing needs. This year is even more urgent. Recently, CMH faced a serious situation. The scopes our Endoscopy Program rely on to diagnose concerning conditions like colon cancer, stomach cancer and ulcers were failing. With repair costs skyrocketing ($16,000 in repair costs in one month alone!) and wait times on the rise, we knew we had to act fast. To be cost effective and ensure patient care was never compromised, we made the difficult decision to rush the purchase of seven new scopes and supporting medical equipment before securing full funding. Now, we need the help of our community to cover the cost of this life-saving equipment. A generous group of hospital supporters (the Matchmakers) have offered to match your donation—and every single gift we receive to this year’s Angels of Care campaign—dollar for dollar. That means your $25 gift today would unlock $50 in support for CMH. $50 transforms into $100. And a very generous gift of $100 would become $200 with matching funds! Any amount you give will be automatically matched to release double the funds for our hospital! Endoscopy is one of the most powerful tools we have for detecting life-threatening diseases early. Colonoscopies can help detect polyps in the colon and remove them for testing to determine if they are cancerous. Gastroscopies can identify ulcers, stomach cancers, and more. The seven new scopes CMH purchased (five colonoscopes and two gastroscopes) are state-of-the-art and will reduce wait times significantly. They have high-definition imaging which allows for better diagnosis. The new advanced technology of these scopes also means a faster sterilization process. These advanced scopes will attract new surgeons to CMH allowing us to expand our Endoscopy Program from three to possibly five days a week, improving local access and ensuring fewer patients have to travel out of town for care. Not everyone realizes that hospitals like CMH are only partially funded by government support. All new equipment is 100% funded by our donors. Last year, our Angels of Care helped CMH purchase the new CT scanner, Portable Ventilator, Bladder Scanner, Defibrillator, and other vital tools that have made a profound difference to patient care throughout the hospital. Can I count on you to be an Angel to patients at CMH and send your special Christmas gift today? All gifts received by December 31 will be automatically matched dollar for dollar by the Matchmakers! Your gift can even be made in honour or in memory of someone special. I hope to hear from you soon.