THUNDER BAY – “We know cardiac disease touches the lives of most families in our community, and we want to help make treating it less stressful for them,” Fort William Rotarian Gordie Garriock said today as she presented a cheque for $150,000 to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. Today’s donation, in support of the Foundation’s Northern Cardiac Fund, helps fund the second cardiac catheterization lab at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. The second lab brings 24/7 access to emergency angioplasty – the Gold Standard of cardiac care – within reach.
Interventional cardiologist Dr. Mark Henderson noted the need for cardiac care in Northwestern Ontario. “The demand for angioplasty continues to grow, and we are meeting it,” he said. The challenge, however, lies in providing both interventional and diagnostic services in one lab. “Our capacity to accommodate both angioplasty services as well as diagnostic services like angiograms will improve when we have two operational cardiac catheterization labs. Thanks to donations like this, that day is just around the corner,” Henderson explained.
About $500,000 remains to be raised in support of the second cardiac catheterization lab project. “As we look to a future with continually expanding cardiac care for our region, we know that the need for donations will be ongoing,” says Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Foundation. “We remain confident that the people of this
community, because they value world-class cardiac care, will continue to support our Northern Cardiac Fund.”
Past donations have made a tremendous impact on the level of cardiac care available to the people of Northwestern Ontario. Lori Marshall, VP – Planning, Medicine, Cardiology, Mental Health and Maternal/Child, said community support enables our Health Sciences Centre to be a leader in cardiac care. “Other centres look to us as
a model for the delivery of cardiac care. Our stand-alone angioplasty program and award-winning cardiac rehabilitation program are just two examples of patient
services that define standards. We simply couldn’t do it without donations,” she said.
“That is precisely why the Fort William Rotary Club is making this donation today. We know we can have a positive impact on the quality of cardiac care here in our community through our support of the Health Sciences Foundation,” Garriock noted. ”It will save countless lives and allow patients to stay in the community to receive treatment and recuperate, surrounded by family and friends.”
Funds are raised through the Fort William Rotary Club’s House Lottery. This year’s draw, which will be held on July 1, offers a grand prize of a 1,729 sq ft home in
Sherwood Estates valued at $378,000. $75,000 in early-bird cash prizes will also be drawn, including a special $25,000 prize on May 11th. Tickets are available at the Health Sciences Foundation office and other locations throughout Thunder Bay.