From left: Jennifer Lalonde, Lindsay MacDonald, Becky Rawn and Theresa Hartley, Ambulatory Care Team, Georgian Bay General Hospital.
On Tuesday, December 1st, the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation launched a GivingTuesday campaign to purchase 2 End Tidal C02 Monitors ($16,000 each). Used during routine procedures – such as a colonoscopy – the monitors ensure patients are breathing properly during an anesthetic.
Thanks to more than 110 individual donors, and a matching gift of $10,000 from Nick & Marina Boudouris (owners of OPA Catering, the World Famous Dock Lunch, Pier 21 and operators of Restaurant Sainte-Marie), a total of $36,960 was raised in just 24 hours.
“We are humbled by the continued generosity of our community,” says Nicole Kraftscik, executive director, GBGH Foundation. “These monitors are so important for the peace of mind for our staff and patients, and we are grateful that so many people chose to positively impact local healthcare through this campaign.”
The current vital signs monitors at GBGH are great for most situations in the hospital, but the specialty End Tidal C02 Monitors provide an increased level of safety. They alert the care team to any breathing complications so that they can intervene quickly.
“As a recent surgical patient, it struck me how important this would be for patient and family assurance while you or your loved one is ‘under’,” shares donor Elyse Rousseau. “I would want this level of assurance for myself, my family and anyone else who has to undergo a surgical procedure, so that is what inspired me to donate.”
While GivingTuesday is now over, those interested in supporting other critical needs at GBGH can make a gift to the GBGH Foundation holiday campaign. More information can be found here: https://gbghf.ca/holiday/