The Humboldt District Hospital Foundation is closer to replacing a key piece of equipment thanks to a new donation.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the St. Elizabeth's Ladies Auxiliary is making a $50,000 pledge towards the purchase of a new ultrasound.

Executive Director of the HDHF, Lorrie Bunko, says that the news was surprising, but thrilling.

"I attended the St. Elizabeth's Ladies Auxiliary meeting to notify them of some important pieces of equipment," she explained. "To hear them make a pledge was very, very exciting and totally not expected."

Bunko says that the machine is used steadily from Monday to Friday.

"Our ultrasound serves two purposes. Number one is to do standard ultrasound and number two is echocardiograms, which is a very well used service."

The price tag for a new ultrasound is between $150,000 and $180,000. Bunko says that it needs to be replaced within the next three years.

In addition to the ultrasound, another piece of equipment will soon need to be replaced, according to Bunko.

"Within two years we have been notified that our fetal heart monitor is going to need to be replaced. That piece of equipment tracks the heart rate of the baby during pregnancy, labour, and delivery," she noted. "Without this piece of equipment, we can't offer Obstetric Services, so we need to ensure dollars are available for that purchase."

Cost to replace the monitor is around $43,000. 

Bunko says that they aren't planning on launching a campaign like in the past, and are hoping that they can continue to see dollars come in through their fundraisers, as well as community support.

Over $300,000 in equipment purchases will be needed over the next three years.