Angioplasty fundraising in high gear
Angioplasty funding confirmed:
planning and fundraising in high gear
Thunder Bay. MPP Bill Mauro delivered a special gift for Cardiac Awareness Month. Today, he announced that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care confirmed over $8 million in funding in support of second cardiac catheterization lab at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
“We have already shifted gears,” says Ron Saddington, Health Sciences Centre President and CEO. “Our hope is that the new lab will be operational before the end of this year.” The total cost of the project is estimated at just over $12 million.
Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation is confident the community will ensure the required funds are in place. “Donations to the Northern Cardiac Fund have already yielded tremendous returns for the people of Northwestern Ontario. A second cardiac catheterization lab will bring cardiac care to a level we’ve only dreamt of,” he explains. Donations will help outfit the new cardiac catheterization lab with state-of-the-art equipment.
A second cardiac catheterization lab will increase capacities for angiograms, angioplasties and other cardiac procedures, ensuring shorter wait times for patients. It significantly enhances efforts to recruit a second interventional cardiologist to the Health Sciences Centre.
With a second cardiac catheterization lab and interventional cardiologist, the Health Sciences Centre will provide 24/7 access to emergency angioplasty: the Gold Standard of cardiac treatment.
Catherine Trewin was fortunate to receive emergency angioplasty service at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre recently. “I had a heart attack and came to the emergency room. Luckily, Dr. Henderson was on site and performed angioplasty within two hours,” she says. “I wouldn’t have survived otherwise.”
Dr. Mark Henderson, Interventional Cardiologist, says today’s funding announcement means patients like Ms. Trewin won’t have to rely on luck. “That level of service can, and will, be standard for Northwestern Ontario patients.”
The confirmation of the funding launches activity to move the project forward. Lori Marshall, Vice President, Medicine, Cardiology, Mental Health and Maternal Child Services confirms preliminary drawings are in place so that construction can begin by late summer. “Given the extremely high rates of cardiac disease in our community, the second cardiac catheterization lab is a priority,” she states, adding that there will be no disruption to service in the existing lab during construction.
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CONTACT:
Tracie Smith, Communications Officer
684-7111 or 621-9438
