FORT KENT – Northern Maine Medical Center has initiated an effort to raise funds for the purchase of state-of-the-art cardiac heart monitors for the hospital’s emergency room, intensive care unit and telemetry, according to Peter Sirois, NMMC associate administrator.

The cost of the new monitor system is $175,000. In addition to contributions from hospital employees, physicians and members of the board of trustees, funds also will be raised through donations from individuals, businesses and industry throughout the St. John Valley and Aroostook County to prevent passing the cost of the system on to patients.

More than $25,000 of the necessary funds has been raised or pledged for the project to date. Of that amount, $10,000 was an anonymous donation from an individual and $4,000 came from the St. John Valley women’s snowmobile club, the Winter SnoAngels.

Concentrated fund-raising efforts will begin at the start of the new year. Individuals and businesses that want to contribute in order to take advantage of 2002 tax deductions for gifts may contact project coordinator CarolAnne Dube at 834-3195, Ext. 3355.