A fundraiser created by a late cancer patient of Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital prior to her passing in April 2016 has raised over US$9,000 for the procurement of a Sound Dock System for the Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Room at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and future performing arts scholarships.

Bob Hayward, the husband of late Wendy Hayward accompanied by his daughter and 4-year old granddaughter presented a check of nearly US $3,700 to representatives of Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital on Wednesday, February 22nd 2017. TCI Hospital Chief of Allied Services, Eleanor Hall and Director of Diagnostic Imaging Services, Larry Stout accepted the donation on behalf of the healthcare organization. The remaining funds will go towards the Wendy Hayward Scholarship Fund, managed by the Friends of the Art’s Foundation, a non-profit organization.

Wendy’s battle with cancer spanned at least six years, during which time she received radiation treatment in Nassau Bahamas, Jamaica, and Chemotherapy treatment at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre. During the latter phase of her treatment, Wendy experienced an aggressive resurgence of cancer which eventually took her life.

According to Bob Hayward, the veteran music teacher’s dying wish was to comfort patient’s who may fear undergoing an MRI scan by playing calming music, especially children who may experience Claustrophobia. A fundraiser using multiple mediums such as Money-gram and online portals, was quickly launched to purchase a special sound system which is designed to bypass the MRI’s strong magnetic fields and radio waves used to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. Larry Stout explained that the costly specialized audio system converts the electronic signals into pneumatic signals.

Commenting on the donation, TCI Hospital Chief of Allied Services, Eleanor Hall said: “We wish to thank the family of the late Wendy Hayward for such a generous donation. She was a very pleasant patient. As a result of Wendy’s effort, the entire Turks and Caicos community will benefit from the installation of this special sound system, once purchased. Music is a very relaxing tool, and this will certainly enhance the patient experience and allay their fears in the MRI room. Every time a song is played, Wendy’s love for music will be remembered by our team.”