Our Goal: $4 Million
We all know someone who’s had to wait weeks or even months for an MRI. For many this means waiting longer to have surgery, to begin their recovery and, most importantly, to get back to their everyday life.

Every year over 1,500 Richmond residents are referred to a Vancouver hospital for an MRI exam. Most will wait weeks or months for this vital diagnostic test. Two out of every five will face waits that are longer than Vancouver Coastal Health wait time benchmarks.

Bringing this technology to Richmond Hospital will dramatically improve access for residents of Richmond, Delta and beyond. Richmond’s MRI will scan 4,500 people a year and increase the total number of MRI tests conducted within the Vancouver Coastal Health Region by roughly 25%.

MRI is the last major diagnostic imaging modality missing at Richmond Hospital. It provides a significantly better picture of the inner workings of the body than any other medial imaging device. It can be used to display complex systems, such as the circulatory system, or highlight very small points inside the body and identify the tissue type. It’s also safe; unlike an X-Ray or bone scan, there is no use of x-rays or radioactive materials.

Richmond's MRI will be the first publicly available MRI with a patient friendly design. Unlike traditional MRIs that have a long narrow tunnel and leave as little as 10cm between the patient’s face and the machine, Richmond’s MRI will have a "large bore" design with a "short tunnel." Our unit will be faster and more comfortable. It will also be the only public MRI in the province that can image patients who are claustrophobic, large or obese, or have special needs.

The Richmond Hospital Foundation is launching its largest campaign to date to fund the purchase of an MRI and the construction of a new, specially designed room to house this state-of-the-art equipment.

Help bring this vital diagnostic tool to our community.
Call 604-244-5252 or email us.