P.E.I. man's drive to raise money for NICU is a success
A P.E.I. man's wish to help raise enough money to support babies in need of treatment in a local hospital has now come true.
After seeing his niece's baby in the neonatal intensive care unit, Doug MacDougall, 68 of Prince Edward Island knew he wanted to help other babies in need. MacDougall's niece, Shannon Moore said her daughter Ruth had to use a biliblanket lights for her jaundice when she was born.
But before her uncle could put his words into action, he passed away in July. Luckily, his family found an article that he left behind with notes that helped them pursue his wishes.
"The article was about biliblankets. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital foundation put out an article that said that biliblankets were $6,000 a piece," said Moore.
"It had my name on the top of it, Nelsons and with a little note that said 100 men, with $100 dollars would equal $10,000 dollars."
Based on a note he left behind, MacDougall wanted to gather up 100 men that would donate $100 each, which would be enough money to pay for biliblankets and other special equipment needed for the hospital's NICU.
The hospital's NICU nurse manager, Kathy Larter, said the blanket allows mothers and baby to spend time together.
"They used to have to lay in a hard bed and get the light then and it kept mom and baby apart but this way they can stay together."
MacDougall's long-time friend Dave Gillis said he would share his perspective with anyone that would listen.
"He really pushed for men to take a broader role in that overall idea and the experience Shannon had, the need for equipment to support her situation offered a great opportunity in Doug's mind," said Gillis.
At the time, MacDougall said the hospital only had two of those blankets. Now with the funds raised, it will be enough to pay for neonatal cots and other specialized equipment.
In a matter of days, the online fundraiser in Doug's memory surpassed its goal and has raised $15,575 for the neonatal unit.
"He just went above and beyond for others and I think that's what people have done in donating. I think that is a beautiful thing because it shows and speaks to who Doug was as a person," said Moore.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.