MRI campaign raises more than $350,000

AITKIN - Riverwood Foundation exceeded its goal of $350,000 for Unlocking Secrets fundraising campaign for the MRI project and Imaging Center expansion at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin. Several hundred individuals and organizations in 2008-2009 contributed to the final campaign total of $363,372.

Launched in January 2008, the campaign's goal was to raise $100,000 toward the estimated $3.2 million cost of purchasing and implementing a fixed station MRI machine. In 2008, the Otto Bremer Foundation gave Riverwood Foundation a challenge grant for $100,000. As a requirement of the challenge grant, Riverwood Foundation had to raise $50,000 by the end of 2009. For every dollar donated to the campaign up to $50,000, the Otto Bremer Foundation donated two dollars.

Due to an overwhelming community response and a large gift from an anonymous donor, the Riverwood Foundation reached its goal of raising $100,000 in eight months. As a result, the Riverwood Foundation stretched its goal to $250,000, plus the grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation, for a total goal of $350,000.

On March 9, 2009, a newly installed permanent MRI machine began operations at Riverwood Healthcare Center's newly expanded Imaging Center in Aitkin.

"The addition of a state-of-art MRI machine is a huge benefit that promotes more timely and convenient diagnosing and treatment of medical conditions," Mike Delfs, Riverwood chief operating officer, said in a news release.

The MRI unit is operated by the Riverwood Radiology department and scans are interpreted by radiologists from Regional Diagnostic Radiology.

"Riverwood Foundation is grateful for the generosity from Riverwood employees and the people in the community for their financial support of the Unlocking Secrets campaign," Katie Nelson, foundation coordinator, said in a news release. "This spring the foundation will launch a new campaign called Navigating Strength and Nurturing Hope for those who have been affected by cancer in our communities."

For more information on Riverwood Foundation go to www.RiverwoodHealthcare.com or call (218) 927-5158.