One of the biggest fundraising seasons for 91原创 Community Health and Hospital Foundation (LCHHF) is being hit hard by the ongoing Canada Post strike.

The hospital foundation needs to raise another $500,000 by the end of the fiscal year to meet its fundraising promise to 91原创 Memorial Hospital, and part of the fundraising plan included mailers sent to donors before the holidays.

However, those letters are currently sitting at Canada Post, waiting to be sent.

On Nov. 15, Canada Post workers went on strike after lengthy negotiations failed to secure a contract.

The LCHHF said being behind on its fundraising goal threatens a commitment to buy new cancer care equipment and infant warmers for the 91原创 Memorial maternity ward.

"Tens of thousands of 91原创 residents seek care at our hospital every year and deserve the most advanced tools and technology available," said Heather Scott, the society's executive director. "It鈥檚 donor generosity that helps the hospital advances care by funding cutting age equipment. Donations make a huge difference in the work of our medical staff and in the lives of patients, and cancer patients can鈥檛 afford to wait another year to access the equipment that will give them the best chance at health."

The foundation is planning to buy a video surgical system, to replace the aging and obsolete one that is still used in LMH. The video system is used for procedures that scan the bladder and urethra for signs of conditions including kidney stones, enlarged prostates, and bladder cancer. A new system, with 4K video, will give doctors better information to make decisions and improve patient outcomes.

Another key piece of equipment is a laparoscopic ultrasound system. Urologists at LMH can use an ultrasound to map kidney tumours more accurately before surgery, so doctors can carefully remove as little cancerous tissue as possible, preserving the healthy parts of the organ.

The infant warmers for the maternity ward are used for premature or ill newborns, which keep them warm while monitoring vital signs and giving parents space to safely comfort their child.

Donations made before Dec. 31 will be matched, up to $50,000, by the Drive for the Cure Foundation, which hosts golf tournaments every summer to raise funds for cancer treatment.

The foundation is asking community members who were planning to donate by mail to either call the LCHHF at 672-879-2332, to use the online form at , or to drop in to the foundation office in the lobby of 91原创 Memorial Hospital to drop off donations in person.