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 The
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation celebrated
the accomplishments and generosity of many Donors and Volunteers
on February 16th whose contributions to the ‘Save a
Heart’ campaign lead to its success and the installment
of new equipment in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab.
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 “We
were extremely alarmed to find that our community and
region has one of the highest rates of cardiac disease
in the country and we knew that our current cardiac
equipment due to its age was susceptible to high maintenance
and downtime” commented, Ron Nelson, Chair, TBHSCS
Board of Directors.
“In December 2004, the Thunder Bay Regional Health
Sciences Centre identified a $3.5 million need to purchase
new equipment for the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at the Thunder
Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. We were very pleased
to hear that the Ministry of Health announced that Thunder
Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre would receive $1.9 million
to assist with our Cardiac Project, but that still left us
with a shortfall of $1.6 million.
The Foundation realized how important the need and how critical
it was to have the right equipment available to save the lives
of cardiac patients. They stepped up to the plate and launched
their “Save a Heart” campaign to raise the remaining
$1.6 million to help with the Centres $3.5 million cardiac
project” added Ron.
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|  Dr.
Frank Nigro, Co-chair, ‘Save A Heart’ campaign
commented, “Every day we treat an increasing number
of patients with heart disease. It is very disturbing
that our patient numbers are increasing at an alarming
rate but it is even more shocking that our patients
are getting younger and younger each year”.
“Advancements in technology are constantly changing
and creating the need for updating and replacements.
New equipment and technology greatly assists us in treating
our patients. This comes with a great price tag, but
how can you put a price on the gift of life”,
added Dr. Nigro.
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New equipment for our Cardiac Patients will mean:
- Increased patient volume due to reduced cancellation of
patient procedures because of maintenance problems with
catheterization equipment.
- And this new technology allows more complex images to
be recorded in less time enabling more patients to receive
services.
- It will enable us to perform in excess of 1,500 annually,
meaning a 15% increase in number of cardiac catheterizations.
- And improve clarity of images assisting us in the diagnosis
of heart disease.
The “Save a Heart” campaign launched in 2005
with a goal of $1.6 million.
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A decision was made to have a two-phase
campaign with the Cardiac Catheterization Lab our immediate
focus. “I am pleased to announce we have raised
$700,000 completing Phase I and equipping our Cardiac
Catheterization Lab with new technology to perform angiograms”,
stated Keith Jobbitt, Co-chair, ‘Save A Heart’
campaign.
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The Foundation has launched Phase II of the “Save a
Heart” campaign to raise the remaining $947,300 for
cardiac equipment. These pieces of equipment like the Echo
Cardiac Ultrasound Unit, the Physician Access Stations, Holter
Monitor System and Cardiac Monitors are equally important
and urgently needed in treating our cardiac patients.
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“We have raised just over $300,000 towards our
Phase II goal. To date the Save a Heart Campaign has
raised $1 million for the Health Sciences Centre’s
cardiac equipment project. The Foundation will continue
to raise the remaining funds through a number of their
fundraising activities including special events, appeals
and major gifts program. Our community has ensured we
successfully completed Phase I, I know they will do
same for Phase II”. commented, Petra Kapush, Chair,
TBRHS Foundation.
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