Pictured are: Ashley Hendy, LWDH Foundation Board Chair along with Nicole Brown, CEO of FSET and member of the Campaign Cabinet and Dave Brown, Chief Digital Officer. The $100,000 represents their commitment to both the Beyond the Scan Campaign and Annual Campaign over the next 5 years.
When you know, you know.
For Nicole (CEO) and Dave (Founder and CBDO) Brown of FSET Inc., as soon as they heard about the opportunity to bring an MRI and more to Lake of the Woods District Hospital, they were on board with their support. In May 2024, they were one of the first donors to commit to the Beyond The Scan Campaign with a generous donation of $50,000.
“Our business started in Kenora in 1999 and we’ve always been part of the community,” said Nicole. Experiencing significant growth since its inception in 1999, the company now employs 32 staff coast to coast, with about 15 living in Kenora. FSET emerged in response to the technological gaps faced by its community and neighbouring First Nations. Evolving from its origins, they have expanded as an information technology and services provider to deliver progressive and forward-thinking solutions across Canada.
“With this campaign, we saw a huge and tremendous value of bringing care close to home,” said Nicole. Having moved to Kenora from the USA almost 18 years ago, she’s seen the vast difference in access to diagnostic equipment. “Where I was from, you could throw a stone and hit an MRI. The limited access to advanced equipment in Northwestern Ontario was unlike any area I’d lived. We felt it was time to do something about this, and we had to be a part of it. Part of that was our donation, and part of it was me joining the Campaign Cabinet to inspire others to give.”
The approach to their donation was similar to how they operate their business. See a need and provide a solution. “Our philosophy is – if you can solve a problem in the north, you can solve it anywhere,” said Nicole.
Personally, Nicole knows the difficulties that come with having to travel away for diagnostic care. When her son Drew was about 2, she had to leave Kenora for an MRI. Not only did she have to leave her young son and travel by herself, but she was in extreme discomfort. “Having to drive and sit for long periods was challenging,” she said. “Eventually I was diagnosed with an auto-immune form of arthritis, but it took a long time for the diagnosis, partially because of the limited access to diagnostics,” she said. “Also, for someone out of town, having an MRI at 11 PM or midnight is tough – it’s a uniquely northern problem. It’s time that Kenora and our surrounding communities in the north aren’t left behind.”
Along with their generous donation to the Beyond The Scan Campaign, FSET Inc. also enthusiastically donates to the LWDH Foundation through annual initiatives such as the Par 3 Charity Challenge and the Lifesaver’s Dinner and Auction. “Our children (Ethan and Drew) recognize that we give back to the community – not only to the Hospital, but we also do a lot with other community groups. The boys know that things do not get done without volunteering and donations. It takes everyone to make a difference,” said Nicole. “As part of the company, we encourage our staff to engage in community service and allow up to three normal working days each year for them to do so. We’re proud to acknowledge the contributions of our team in positions such as Volunteer Firefighter, Youth Hockey Coach, Board Director and many more.”
Both Nicole and Dave are thrilled with the overwhelming success of the campaign, and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Kenora’s first MRI. “It’s going to be so powerful for patients to have access to this equipment close to home.”