Lakeridge Health Bowmanville was proud to unveil its new mammography centre to the public last May 13. According to Lakeridge Health CEO Kevin Empey, the centre was developed for the community, to help them in the fight against breast cancer.

Thanks to the Memorial Hospital Foundation-Bowmanville, who donated $1.35-million for the centre’s redevelopment, the hospital was able to improve its facility and add a long-requested digital machine.

According to Lakeridge Health’s doctors, the new digital mammography machine gives them amazingly clear and accurate images, which are available to them at a rate much faster than that of the normal film machine. Furthermore, the machine has the ability to zoom in and out on an area, with operators able to adjust the viewing settings to give physicians a better look at the examined tissue.

For the patients, this means a lot less waiting as well as fewer re-examinations. The new machine is also very accessible to those sitting in wheelchairs and lying down in gurneys. However, one thing that won’t change is the pain an exam can bring. This is because the new machine still works like the usual mammogram, albeit with faster and much more accurate results.

Just think of it this way; the temporary pain of a mammogram is far better than the pain caused by breast cancer.

After careful deliberation, the Municipality of Clarington has decided to lend a helping hand to Ribfest.

The Bowmanville Rotary Club, the organizers of Ribfest, sought help from council and asked if they could somehow borrow a big portable generator for use during the event. According to Kevin Anyan, a representative from the Bowmanville Rotary Club, the organization needs a very large generator for the event, which requires a lot of power to accommodate those who are expected to attend.

At first, the group considered renting a generator, but they found out that the cost of renting one that would have to run for 24 hours a day could be as high as $9,000 – that’s triple the regular renting cost of $3,000.  If the group chose to rent a generator, they’d end up putting Ribfest at risk for lack of funds.

This dilemma led them to approach council and ask if they could borrow the municipal building’s extra backup generator. Council was willing to lend the generator for a significantly lower renting cost which still has to be ironed out.

Ribfest is a fundraising event that plays host to ribbers, vendors, and entertainers dishing out fun for the whole family. The 3^rd annual Ribfest takes place on the 13^th of June.