Newsletter of the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation february 2010

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For the past 17 years the Care From the Heart Telethon has aided the Foundation in raising funds and has provided a way

for caring members of the community to give back to their hospital.

This year we’ve changed the timing and format of Care From the Heart Day.With support from Honorary Chair, Clint Dunford, Care From the Heart Day will take place on Thursday, February 11, 2010 and will include a Radio-a-thon instead of the Telethon. Six Lethbridge radio stations will broadcast live all day from the hospital atrium. Country 95.5, B 93, 107.7 The River, Rock 106, CKVN 98.1 and 94.1 The Lounge are all joining forces for the first time ever to ensure the best of health for everyone!

According to Executive Director, Debra Ramage, although the format of Care From the Heart Day has

changed, the goal remains the same. “Care From the Heart is about giving members of our community

the opportunity to give back to their hospital. It is no secret that everyone will at one time or another need

the services provided here and it is important for people to know that they have contributed to healthcare in their

community.”

Please join with others in the community in making a gift to your hospital on Care From the Heart Day. Your gift will be used in part to fund special projects like the new Radiation Therapy Cancer Centre. Once construction is complete in 2010, Southern Albertans struggling with cancer can finally get the treatment and care they need – right here at home.

The Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation invites you to tune in to your favourite local station between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. and to come down to the hospital’s atrium to make your gift. Events will be planned throughout the day. For more information contact the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation office at 403-388-6001.

Care From the Heart Day

The purpose of the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation is to raise, receive and distribute funds for equipment and programs that will enhance patient services and health programs in our community. The Foundation provides the vehicle for many wonderful contributors to make a difference in the community. From individual and business donors, service groups and granting agencies, to our many volunteers who give so generously of their time, thousands have helped the Chinook Regional Hospital provide truly extraordinary care.

The Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors, each of whom cares deeply for Lethbridge and the surrounding communities. The Foundation Board ensures that all funds are dispersed in keeping with the wishes of our donors. During this time of transition in provincial health services, the Foundation continues to focus here in Southern Alberta – to raise and distribute funds for health care in our community.

Our new logo reflects our connection and commitment to the Lethbridge region. We look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure the best possible patient services and health programs in our community.

About the Foundation

Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation Board of Directors 2009-2010Back Row: Doug Campbell, Tom Ackerman, Tom MacLachlan, Debra Ramage, Roelof Heinen, Everett Deurksen, Gary Scott, Art Sanford, Yvonne Sugimoto, Philip Byrne Seated: Igor Shaskin, Elaine Braithwaite, Bryce Kirkpatrick, Judy Pounder

The Board and Staff fondly remember Dianne Massier who passed away February 20, 2009. Member, CRH Foundation Board of Directors – 2003 to 2009.

Listen to your favourite radio station throughout the day.

Come visit us and your favourite radio on-air personality from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.

February 11, 2010Chinook Regional Hospital Atrium

960 19 Street South, Lethbridge

• Local Entertainment• Refreshments• Hospital Tour

Care From the Heart Radio-A-ThonFebruary 11, 2010Hospital Atrium

DreamLife LotteryApril - June, 2010

Val Matteotti Italian Golf OpenAugust 11, 2010

50/50 Payday LotteryEvery two weeks

on or about the 10thand 25th of each month

Join in!

Support the Best of Health for Everyone…

960 – 19 Street South Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 1W5403.388.6001www.crhfoundation.ca

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If anyone knows a thing or two about the importance of the new cancer clinic here at the Chinook Regional Hospital, it is former MLA and Honorary Chair of Care From the Heart Day, Clint Dunford.

Clint Dunford, 66, was first elected in 1993 as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lethbridge West. Clint served four terms as MLA and held the portfolios of Minister of Alberta Advanced Education and Career Development, Minister of Alberta Human Resources and Employment and Minister of Economic Development.

In 2005, severe back pain caused Clint to seek the services of a chiropractor while working in Edmonton. “Upon review of x-rays taken at that time, my chiropractor told me that I did not need a chiropractor and that I needed to see my family physician as soon as possible,” says Clint. After having an MRI, Clint was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a treatable, but incurable, chronic disease.

In December of 2006, Clint enrolled in a clinical study to determine whether stem cell transplantation along with chemotherapy was a more effective treatment than chemotherapy alone. “I felt good throughout the chemotherapy treatments, however the stem cell transplant made me very ill and I lost 40 pounds,” says Clint. “The sicker I got the more cooking shows I watched, but unfortunately I was unable to eat anything and it was a struggle to keep a little Boost or ginger-ale down.”

Clint continued to work as an MLA while undergoing cancer treatment in Edmonton, but made the decision not to seek re-election in the 2008 election. As a result of the aggressive treatment Clint received, the cancer went into remission until

early 2009. Because he was feeling so good, it was a surprise to him when he was told in February that the cancer had returned. In fact he and his wife Gwen had planned to leave on a month-long cruise in March.

“On Wednesday, February 25th, 2009, I had an MRI that showed a nodule of cancer pressing on the coating of my spinal cord. I was told that if it broke through I would be immediately paralyzed. So, instead of going on a cruise I immediately began ten days of radiation therapy,” says Clint. He continues to be part of a clinical study and his treatments were completed at the end of September, 2009.

Most of Clint’s treatment had to be done in Edmonton. Lucky for him he had family with whom he and his wife Gwen could stay. “My heart goes out to people who don’t have the same advantages as we had.” Clint is thrilled that those in a similar situation will soon be able to stay right here in Lethbridge to receive treatment rather than traveling to other centres.

Join Clint on Thursday, February 11th, for Care From the Heart Day and make a gift to your hospital. Funds raised from this year’s Radio-a-thon will help fund enhancements to the new cancer treatment centre.

In the fall of 2006, Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation began a fundraising campaign to provide integrated operating room technology (i-Suites) in Lethbridge. i-Suites provide the optimal environment for patients and state-of-the art equipment and design for surgeons. By late 2008, thanks to the generous support of our donors, the Foundation successfully raised the $1.5 million required to build two i-Suites at the Chinook Regional Hospital.

“Thanks to the i-Suites, the number of surgeries at Chinook Regional Hospital has increased and patient recovery times have decreased,” says Dr. Tony Gomes, a general surgeon at the Chinook Regional Hospital. “We are able to record surgery in still or video to review and compare at a later time. We can also send images to a physician working in another room to get a second opinion.”

The i-Suites have been a hit with surgeons and nursing staff alike, he says. “It allows for better teaching for nurses completing their training. There are large flat screen TV monitors so they can clearly observe the surgery.”

Cancer Radiation Therapy Treatment Coming To Lethbridge

Money well spent …..

Brightening The Lives of Sick Children

Clint Dunford and his wife, Gwen Green receiving donor tile on June 23, 2009. This tile will be added to the Foundation’s Donor Wall located in the atrium of the Chinook Regional Hospital.

Dr. Tony Gomes and surgical staff utilizing the many features of the new state-of-the-art i-Suite operating rooms at Chinook Regional Hospital.

Mike Johansen & Kay Matheson from Toys R Us, Maria Malcolm, CRH child Life Specialist & Renee Gillespie from Starlight Foundation with young patient (not shown) playing baseball on the Fun Centre.

One of the most important benefits has been the difference it has made for patients. “They feel more comfortable coming into a first class environment. They have less postoperative pain because of smaller incisions and less time in the hospital. This is really enabling technology; it encourages us to continue learning and to take on more difficult surgeries. The technology works full-time, every day,” says Dr. Gomes. “It is truly money well spent.”

Over the past few years, the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, working in association with Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation and local corporations, has brightened the lives of seriously ill children by providing Starlight Fun Centres.

A Starlight Fun Centre is a specially designed mobile entertainment unit incorporating a TV monitor, a combination video/DVD player and a Nintendo Wii. “The Wii is great for kids,” says Child Life Specialist, Maria Malcolm. “We want to get our patients moving and when they hear there is a Wii, their eyes just light up.”

Most recently, Toys R Us donated funds to the Starlight Foundation to purchase Fun Centres for hospitals across Canada. The Children’s unit at the Chinook Regional Hospital received one of these Fun Centres.

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Please make cheques payable to ChinookRegional HospitalFoundation

To make a secure online donation, please go towww.carefromtheheart.ca

Phone 403.388.6001

Charitable Registration# 10762 3241 R0001

General Surgery Procedures in the i-Suites

(since opening September 10, 2007)

Total– 6,970Theater 5—3,538 proceduresTheater 6—3,432 procedures

mm yy

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Postal Code Phone Cell Phone

Donation Amount

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