A Sudbury man who spent nearly a decade collecting pop tabs has donated $19,486 to the Health Sciences North Foundation.
Billy Zografopoulos and the Sudbury Community Foundation, through the Michael Pressacco Fund, made the donation to help fund innovative new ultrasound devices for Health Sciences North, said a hospital news release
The Foundation said Zografopoulos' donation will enable the purchase of Clarius handheld ultrasound devices that are designed for ease of use, offering automated, high-definition imaging ideal for evaluating blood flow and ensuring safe vascular access.
These cutting-edge devices will enhance patient care by providing fast, accurate, high-definition imaging to facilitate vascular assessments and improve ICU outcomes.
The news release described Zografopoulos as a dedicated community advocate and philanthropist, who has spent a decade collecting pop tabs to raise funds for HSN.
"His collection efforts, which have included drop-off points at Deluxe Restaurant on Regent Street and the HSN cafeteria, continue to support health-care improvements in Sudbury," said the Foundation news release.
“It has been my pleasure and a lot of fun gathering all these pop tabs the past nine years,” said Zografopoulos in the release.
“As you know, I don’t do this alone. I would like to thank all of those who dropped off to Deluxe Restaurant, at the hospital, and other various businesses. A special thank you to Triple M Metal, and most of all, the students that drop them off at their schools. Next year, I will be celebrating my 10th anniversary and with everyone’s help, I would like to gather the most this year. “Everyone’s kindness and generosity inspires me to do more. You can deliver pop tabs to Deluxe Restaurant on Regent Street anytime.”
This donation is part of Zografopoulos' ongoing efforts to enhance health care at HSN, with his next initiative focusing on supporting the CT Fund, said the release.
HSN performs more than 55,000 CT scans annually, and with growing demand for high-quality imaging, the hospital is working to upgrade its equipment to improve patient care.
Friends and supporters can continue the effort by helping Zografopoulos to raise funds for critical imaging equipment by donating your pop tabs at Deluxe Restaurant on Regent Street or, for HSN staff and visitors, at the cafeteria at Ramsey Lake Health Centre.
For more information, or to donate to HSN Foundation, please visit hsnfoundation.com/donate or contact us at [email protected].