THUNDER BAY – “When it comes to our children, the absolute best healthcare is a must,” says Glenn Craig, President & CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. “This Christmas season, your donation makes that possible.” The Health Sciences Foundation is encouraging the people of Northwestern Ontario to support the care that saves the lives of babies and children year round.
Last year, 1,580 babies took their very first breath at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Of them, 394 needed the specialized care provided in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
“Donations are crucial to the care of babies and children,” says Nancy Persichino, Director, Maternal Newborn at the Health Sciences Centre. “Donor support ensures that we can replace aging equipment and purchase new, leading-edge technologies so that we can continue to provide our children with world-class care.”
The NICU at the Health Sciences Centre became a home away from home for new parents Mike and Dawn Nitz when their son Jaxon was born prematurely. “The NICU staff took such amazing care of Jaxon that they became like a family to us,” Mike recalls.
The specialized equipment Jaxon depended on in the NICU was funded by donations to the Health Sciences Foundation. “It’s phenomenal that there are people in this community willing to give so we can have this kind of quality care,” says Mike. “The equipment they funded was imperative to Jaxon’s recovery.”
“Past support from generous donors has made an incredible difference, and helped build the exceptional paediatric services available today,” explains Craig. “Thankfully, we have generous community members who continue to support our efforts, and dedicated paediatric professionals to deliver the care our children need. Thanks to such caring people, Jaxon will spend his first Christmas at home with his family.”
The Grand Christmas Tree now stands in the main lobby of the Health Sciences Centre as a reminder that Christmas is a time for community. With each donation (and every gift helps!), a star bearing the name of the generous donor is added to the tree. Donors also have the option of sending a star with a personalized message to a caregiver at the Health Sciences Centre.
As we come closer to Christmas day, the tree becomes increasingly covered in stars. Help fill the Grand Christmas Tree with stars. To make a donation in support of the most precious patients in our community, call 345-4673 or visit www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca.