The old and breaking-down MRI at McMaster Children's Hospital couldn't produce detailed enough images for surgeons to get the tumour at the centre of Liam McGibbon's brain.

Getting it out required a detailed road map of the brain clearly showing every vein and motor fibre so the surgeons would know precisely how to get to the tumour without causing any damage to the otherwise healthy and active eight-year-old Milton boy.

Being off by even the tiniest bit could cause damage, so the surgeons couldn't rely on McMaster's technology, bought in 2001.

The machine is three years past the replacement date set by radiology associations. But there's no money in the budget to replace it.

That's why Hamilton philanthropist Teresa Cascioli, George McCarter, president of Pearson Dunn Insurance, and Fred Losani, vice-president and CEO of Losani Homes, stepped in.

They raised $1 million in a matter of months to buy the children's hospital a new machine.

"I wouldn't be here today with a dime to donate if it hadn't been for the wonderful drinkers of Ontario," said Cascioli, former CEO of Lakeport Brewing who collected $43 million when the Hamilton brewery was bought by Labatt. Cascioli's namesake foundation donated $450,000 of the funds.

"I just want to thank Labatt Breweries for acquiring my business so I can do this."

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