Items filtered by date: September 2026

KEMPTVILLE, ON, October 5, 2026 – The Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) Foundation is fundraising to purchase a new 3D Mammography System.

Since KDH launched mammography services in 2011, technology has evolved significantly. The new 3D Mammography System – with both 3D and 2D capabilities – is the best diagnostic tool available for screening mammograms.

After 15 years in operation, the hospital’s mammography machine has reached its end-of-life. Due to its age and recurring technical issues, the machine was out of service for several weeks in the summer of 2025, directly impacting patient care. Finding compatible parts and software has become increasingly difficult and will soon be impossible.

The new 3D Mammography System offers the gold standard of care, and can perform both 3D and 2D breast screening mammograms, the latter of which can be utilized for routine, low-risk patients in accordance with the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) guidelines.

3D mammograms provide a more detailed picture with many images taken from different angles to create thin, layer-by-layer ‘slices’ of the breast, making it easier for physicians to see through overlapping tissue. The new technology is more accurate, and can detect more invasive breast cancers by making it easier to spot small or hidden breast cancers.

“Upgrading our mammography machine will transform breast screening care for our community,” said Margret Norenberg, KDH Foundation Board Chair. “In recent years, our Foundation has been amazed by the incredible support of our community – through the Crossroads Campaign for a CT scanner and x-ray matching fundraising campaign – and we hope that our community will once again rally around our hospital.”

The estimated cost of the new 3D Mammography System is $595,000.

“The new technology will save lives through early detection, and bring care closer to home” said Cindy Smith, KDH Foundation Executive Director. “It’s designed to provide higher quality images for radiologists, and a more comfortable mammography experience for patients.”

Caroline Rutter, Vice Chair of the KDH Foundation Board, highlighted the importance of early detection as a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

“This is very important for our community because the sooner we can diagnose, the faster we can treat people,” said Rutter. Despite having a screening mammogram because she noticed changes in her right breast, the small lump didn’t show up. “That’s why the 3D mammography technology is so important. I honestly feel that if we had had a 3D system, it would've been caught earlier and halted the progression of the metastasis earlier."

“We’re so grateful to our wonderful Foundation and community for their continued support of our hospital in its mission to deliver high-quality care,” said Frank Vassallo, KDH President and CEO. “We’ve seen significant enhancements to our Diagnostic Imaging department, and the new 3D Mammography System is our next step forward to providing the best care.”

Visit www.kdhfoundation.ca for more information about the 3D Mammography campaign or to donate. Donations can also be sent by mail, to P.O. Box 2007, Kemptville ON, K0G 1J0. To get in touch with the Foundation directly, call 613-258-6133 x 185.

Media contact:

Cindy Smith, Executive Director
Kemptville District Hospital Foundation
613.258.6133 x 185
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.