Mark Downey

A major fundraising effort is underway to bring the latest mammography technology to Charlotte County Hospital.

The 13th annual Charlotte FM Radiothon is raising money for a new 3D mammography unit. Their goal is $482,000.

Charlotte County Hospital Foundation president and St. Stephen Mayor Steve Backman says the project includes a new mammography unit and equipment for local performance of contrast imaging.

“Previously, you’d have to go up to Saint John,” Backman said. “Now we can do it all here.”

The hospital’s existing mammography machine is nearing the end of its useful life. Backman said foundation support also helped them to purchase that machine 12 years ago.

Nurse practitioner Yvonne Bartlett, who has spent 40 years working in healthcare, says the new technology would be a significant step forward.

“This gives us a real 3D image,” Bartlett said. “Unlike the flat, two-dimensional images that are produced by the one we have now, it’s a true 3D picture.”

“They’re identifying tiny, tiny abnormalities, or what we call microcalcifications, in the breast tissue before a lump can even be felt,” Bartlett explained.

She feels providing screening locally is especially important. “This is good care, and it’s good care close to home,” she said.

Receiving close-to-home care is something Cheri Russell knows firsthand

Russell was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma on February 4, 2025. Her cancer was HER2-positive, and what initially appeared as though it could involve a lumpectomy turned into a much longer treatment journey.

She underwent chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, with much of her chemotherapy treatment provided at Charlotte County Hospital.

Receiving treatments locally meant her husband, Jamie, could stay with her and family and friends could be nearby.

Throughout her experience, Russell said the nurses at Charlotte County Hospital became like family.

“They look after you. They notice the differences in you, so if you’re feeling well or you’re not well,” she said. “I’m very grateful for the good people that are in Charlotte County.”

Bartlett says that’s why community support for the new equipment could have an impact for years to come.

“There aren’t many lives and families that have not been touched by breast cancer,” she said. “Having this close to home is vital.”

The Charlotte FM Radiothon is broadcasting live from Charlotte County Hospital from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, October. 8.

Donations can be made by calling 506-465-5885 or 506-465-5886, or in person at Charlotte County Hospital.

Meanwhile, cancer patients and their families in Charlotte County are getting more support closer to home through a cancer survivorship program that expanded to St. Stephen this year.

Carrie Graham, program manager of Cancer Support, says the Dr. Margot Brown Cancer Support Program offers services to people living with any type of cancer, at any stage of their journey.

Caregivers and loved ones can also access support, and programs are free for participants.

“Cancer touches almost every one of us,” Graham said

One of those services is the Stay Strong Cancer Recovery Program, a free 12-week exercise and recovery program for adults living with and beyond cancer.

The St. Stephen program is held at the Garcelon Civic Center and launched this past spring through support from donors to the Charlotte County Hospital Foundation and partnerships with the Charlotte County Cancer Society and Garcelon Civic Center.

Graham said nine people graduated from the first St. Stephen program in June.

The program focuses on areas including strength, balance, cardiovascular health and overall well-being. Graham said it also allows participants to build connections with others going through similar experiences.

She also stressed the need for a new mammography unit at the Charlotte County Hospital.

“Bringing health-care services home to our communities to improve access and connection, reducing one’s time to travel, additional financial pressures, travelling back and forth to the other city centres to get the care or to get a scan, for example, is a really crucial part of what makes events like this so important,” Graham said.

She believes better screening technology combined with local support programs can help patients throughout different stages of their cancer journey.