THE new MRI machine is expected to help 10,000 people every year by offering faster diagnosis and treatment plans. Here's how the existing scanner has helped already:

  • HOLLY Harrison, aged 11, needed her first MRI scan after suffering fits and is now booked for her third scan in December, after the scans showed clusters of blood vessels were irritating her brain.

Holly, pictured with her older sister Danielle, said: “I really didn’t like the idea of an MRI scan, but the fits they’re trying to stop are scarier.” Her mum and dad said: “The MRI scan has given us some clear direction, some closure and hope – and that’s important.” Holly suggested the family get involved with the Stars Appeal’s campaign so other children can have scans without long waits.

Salisbury Journal:

  • KATE Edgar, aged 60, said the MRI machine saved her life after scans confirmed she had had a stroke and she changed her lifestyle.

Kate first knew something was wrong when she tried to get her son up for school and “it came out as gobbledegook” in 2014. The results of the MRI scan showed she had a clot to the brain that had then broken up and caused some damage to her brain. Kate said: “I’m eternally grateful that the hospital insisted on me having the MRI scan to confirm that I’d had a stroke. That short sharp shock convinced me to make those lifestyle changes that we all know we should make. I can honestly say that the MRI scanner saved my life.”

Salisbury Journal:

  • ZAC France, aged 24, was told he may never walk again after he broke his neck playing rugby in 2015.

He said the MRI scanner “played a big part” in his treatment as doctors needed constant updates on swelling in his brain. Thanks to support from the team at Salisbury he is now back playing rugby.

He said: “Everyone always thinks it’s never going to be me, but you never know what’s going to happen. The accident changed my life in so many ways. I think I’m a better person now and I’m more determined than ever to make the most of life. I want to finish my university degree, and I’m also enjoying the simple things like walking my dog or being able to read a menu. I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for the team at Salisbury Hospital, so I can’t thank them enough.”

Salisbury Journal:

  • WILLIAM Brannon was 7 when the MRI scanner picked up a brain stem tumour after he struggled to hold his pen at school, and he died in April 2016.

His mum, Natalie, said: “We were aware that other patients had to wait so William could be seen. Over the weekend before the MRI scan he’d got quite poorly so the thought of having to go further away if the scanner had been fully booked up – that would have been hell. Up until that day I had never met anyone who’d used an MRI scanner. You just don’t know what’s around the corner until you need it.

“That’s why we’re supporting this campaign.”

Salisbury Journal: