Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation

John Fevez was one of the first of 2,000 patients to receive angioplasty in Northwestern Ontario. “I was able to have my family with me, see familiar faces and return home sooner, feeling better than before,” he says.

2,000 Stories... and counting

A 37-year-old mother of three. A physically fit grandfather.
An outdoors lover from Jellicoe. What do these people
have in common? They are just a few of the over 2,000
people who have undergone donor-funded, life-saving
angioplasty services at Thunder Bay Regional Health
Sciences Centre.

Over 2,000 happy endings were made possible with your
support. Despite many happy endings, unfortunately
there are thousands more of these stories to be told.
Northwestern Ontario has some of the highest rates of
cardiac disease in Canada. Your family members, friends or
neighbours could be sharing their stories next.

Your donations ensure that world-class cardiac care continues to be available for the thousands of untold stories.

Thanks to generous donations, Dr. Henderson has the right equipment to do hundreds of angioplasty procedures each year.

Cardiologist Supports a Vision 

Dr. Henderson knows first hand the importance of having the right equipment to do the right job, and he is grateful for those who helped turn the vision for expanded cardiac care into a reality.

“Northwestern Ontario has proven to be a generous community,” Henderson says. “They clearly value cardiac care, and are willing to support it through their donations.” Because of those donations, Henderson, along with the rest of the cardiology team, is able to perform cardiac diagnostic and treatment procedures in two state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization labs.

Henderson is not only grateful to those who helped turn the vision for expanded cardiac care into a reality, he is among them. His recent donation of $25,000 brings his total support to $75,000 to date.

Thanks to the life-saving actions of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Emergency Department, and the donations that support it, Don Hamilton (pictured above with his wife Mary) gets to enjoy another holiday season with his family.

Brought Back to Life: Don Hamilton's Story

After Don Hamilton suffered a coughing attack with difficulties breathing, he and his wife Mary went to the Emergency Department of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to check on his symptoms. "By the time I had parked the car, they had already whisked Don away and were taking care of him," recalls Mary.

Tests revealed that Don had suffered a 'cardiac event', which took a more serious turn when his heart later stopped while he was sleeping in the hospital. “Thankfully, they were able to resuscitate me using CPR and the defibulator machine to restart and restore my heartbeat," says Don. "Had they not been diligent in keeping me for observation and had I not been wearing a monitor, I would not be here today – no question about it. They not only saved my life – they brought me back to it!”

Donations play a large role in providing the equipment and programs that helped save Don’s life. He and his wife are grateful for everyone who has every donated, and hope to see such generous behaviour continue in the future.

Joe Coghlan, now 72, was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at age 35. He manages his health with the guidance of his healthcare team and the donor supported programs and services offered at the Health Sciences Centre.

Living with Diabetes: Joe Coghlan

Joe Coghlan has been living with Type 2 Diabetes for 37 years.

Diabetes in itself is not life threatening, but the complications
that arise from it can be. For example, people with diabetes are at higher risk for developing heart disease - and Joe is no exception. Thirteen years ago, he required triple bypass surgery as a direct result of his diabetes.

Despite the heart problems, Joe has done a fairly good job of maintaining his health and he attributes that to the guidance of his healthcare team, including the professionals at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Joe is grateful for the support he has received over the years, and knows that donations are largely to thank for it. Donations advance care in every area of the Health Sciences Centre accessed by Joe, and others like him. With your support, diabetes treatment, research, education and awareness will
continue to improve.

Abbey Jacobson, pictured here with a portion of her gifts, donated all of her birthday presents to the Paediatric Unit of the Health Sciences Centre.

 Presents for Paediatrics

Abbey Jacobson celebrated her 10th birthday on October 1st. The gifts poured in on the day of her party, but she would not be keeping them for herself like most ten year olds would. Instead, Abbey donated them all to the Paediatric Unit of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in memory of her friend who had recently passed away.

Before Abbey’s friend tragically lost her battle with cancer, she had spent a lot of time in the Paediatric Unit at the Health Sciences Centre. Abbey would visit her and witnessed the amazing care she was receiving.“I wanted to donate my gifts so that I could make sure other kids enjoy being at the Health Sciences Centre as much as my friend did,” says Abbey.

This isn’t the first time Abbey has displayed such selfless behaviour. For her birthday last year, instead of presents she requested that people make a donation to the Paediatric Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. “We are very grateful for what Abbey has done,” says Dan Bissonnette, Major Gifts Officer, Health Sciences Foundation. “It is so impressive and inspiring to see someone be so kind and charitable at such a young age."

Lauren Nelson recently turned 13. For her birthday, instead of presents, she asked that family and friends make a donation to the Northern Cancer Fund.

Giving the Gift of Kindness

At a young age, Lauren unfortunately witnessed first-hand the impact that cancer can have on a family. Her grandfather recently died of lung cancer, and she and her family helped care for him before he passed. “I’m grateful for the time I got to spend with my grandfather, and I want to honour his memory,” Lauren says. “I want to make a difference.”

When her 13th birthday rolled around, Lauren selflessly asked that in lieu of presents, people make a donation to the Northern Cancer Fund. When all was said and done, she had managed to raise over $1,000. "I hope this money will help other people get the same great care that my grandpa did when he was at the hospital," she says.

100% of the money raised by Lauren’s birthday will stay in Northwestern Ontario and support cancer awareness, prevention, treatment and research. “It’s an amazing thing that Lauren has done,” says Kerri Reid, Special Events Officer with the Health Sciences Foundation. “For her to be so selfless on her birthday at such a young age is inspiring. Lauren is proof that one person truly can make a difference.”

Candice and Mike Syrek, married on June 25, found a way to make their special day even more special. They asked guests to contribute $1 for every second they wanted the newlyweds to kiss. 

Kissing for Cancer: Bride and Groom Raise Funds to Honour Mother's Cancer Journey

Candice and Mike Syrek married on June 25th. A month before the wedding, Mike's mother Eleanor was diagnosed with cancer. Wanting to help, the couple decided that in lieu of clinking glasses guests could donate $1 for one second of kissing.

Candice, who is the primary caregiver for her mother-in-law, knew she wanted to support the care Eleanor was getting at Regional Cancer Care Northwest at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “It was really important to us that the funds stay here. The facility is amazing and the staff is exceptional. They personalize the care – they know Eleanor and me as people, not a file. They’re compassionate and very tolerant,” says Candice. “We want this care here for our kids and grandchildren in the years to come.”

In the end, $439 was raised, and Eleanor herself contributed to make an even $500 donation to the Northern Cancer Fund!

The Gilbarts' were so grateful for the exceptional eye care that Verna recieved that they established an Ophthalmology Endowment Fund.

Eye Care Leads to Vision for the Future

When Verna Gilbart’s once-perfect eyesight began to decline at a rapid pace, she and her husband Lloyd were determined to find the best eye care specialists. Fortunately for them, they didn’t have to look far.

Unwilling to gamble with Verna’s vision, the couple began researching to find the best specialists to whom they could turn for help. They were pleasantly surprised to find them in their hometown of Thunder Bay. “We are so fortunate to have access to such high calibre eye care right here at home,” Mr. Gilbart says. “My wife was able to receive immediate treatment, without the added hassle of travel.”

The Gilbarts’ gratitude for the exceptional care that led to Verna’s restored eyesight prompted them to donate to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation to establish an Ophthalmology Endowment Fund so that the best equipment is always available to patients in need of eye care.

Gwen Edwards still enjoys watchign her grandson grow thanks to donations in support of world-class eye care.

Seeing the Difference Donations Make

Gwen had never experienced any issues with her eyesight other than requiring glasses or contacts for distance. Then, at age 55, things suddenly changed.

When her eyesight began to deteriorate, Gwen initially thought it was age related. A visit with Ophthalmologist Dr. Dhurjon would prove otherwise. Tests revealed that Gwen was suffering from retinal vasculitis attributed to an auto immune disease which was causing inflammation in her retinas. Her eyesight was rapidly deteriorating to the point where she could notice a difference on a week-to-week basis. Thanks to the right diagnosis, Gwen was prescribed a medication to help.

Leading-edge equipment is what made Gwen’s timely diagnosis possible. In addition to the professional expertise of Dr. Dhujon, the ocular CT scan and angiogram equipment were essential to her diagnosis. “I am so grateful to anyone who has ever donated in support of world-class eye care,” she says. “With their help, I was able to access the technology that helped preserve my remaining vision.”

Donations have had a significant impact on breast cancer survivor Debora Prokopich Buzzi's life. She is grateful to live in a community that works together to make hope possible.

People Make all the Difference: How one survivor found comfort throughout her battle with breast cancer

Deborah Prokopich Buzzi's life was forever changed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

She was only 40 years old with no family history of cancer and no symptoms. Imagine how shocked she was to discover that she had two tumours in her breast, both of different origins. Fortunately, the LInda Buchan Centre of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre was there to help.

“Every person on my care team was fantastic - from the reception staff to my oncologist - everyone was so caring and professional. They made sure to go that extra mile for me,” she says. “As soon as I stepped foot in the building for my first treatment my fears disappeared. I knew they had a plan for me and that I was being taken care of. Even now - four years after my treatments – that great care continues.”

Debora is grateful for everyone who has ever donated in support of the Northern Cancer Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. Donations helped fund the programs, services and equipment that saved her life. From the Linda Buchan Centre, to the We-Can fitness program and the Breast Cancer Support Group, donations help in every aspect from screening, treatment, and recovery.

Barb Thomson survived cancer twice, and is so grateful to everyone who's ever donated to the Northern Cancer Fund. Your donations helped save her life.

Battling Breast Cancer: Two-time survivor Barb Thomson's story

Barb Thomson knows her life was touched by people she'll never meet - people who donated to the Northern Cancer Fund - and it gives her an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

Facing cancer is one of the most difficult things many women will ever face. Barb did it twice. The second time around her treatment took place at Regional Cancer Care Northwest at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. "It's remarkable," Barb says of the new facility."They're better equipped, the service is faster, it's a more welcoming place, and the people are calm and professional, yet caring and personable. The staff, I think, is the best in Canada."

That's the gift that generous donors gave to Barb - a future for herself and her family. Donations support the cancer screening, treatment and research that touches thousands of people like Barb every year, right here at home.

Hunter Radford loved having long hair but shaved it all off to raise $1,000 for the Northern Cancer Fund.

Going Bald for Grandpa: The Radford family stands united against cancer

Bill Radford has cancer, and when his eleven-year-old grandson saw the great care his grandpa was receiving, he was inspired.

Wanting to help other people like his grandpa, he decided to take action. He would shave his head and collect donations for the Northern Cancer Fund of the Health Sciences Foundation.

Hunter's mother Louise, who is a nurse, says it helps to see Hunter get involved. "We're used to being able to solve problems, and cancer can make you feel powerless. But Hunter is showing us that we can all do something to help."

Thanks to Hunter's meaningful sacrifice, about $1,000 was raised. All funds will stay in Northwestern Ontario to support world-class cancer care for patients like Bill.

Dr. Chris Lai stands in front of the second Cath Lab, now under construction. Your donations to the Northern Cardiac Fund helped make this lab a reality.

The Past, Present and Future of Cardiac Care

Construction on the second Cath Lab is underway at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. With this new lab, the Health Sciences Centre will be able to offer the Gold Standard in angioplasty: 24/7 emergency service.

A lot of progress has been made to get us to this point, and the progress shows no signs of stopping. In the future, Dr. Lai hopes to do other procedures like inserting implantable defibrillators as well as bring in Thunder Bay's own open-heart surgery program. Nothing is certain at this point, but Dr. Lai has taught us that anything's possible.

Advancements to the Cardiac Program, like the new Cath Lab, are made possible through donations to the Northern Cardiac Fund.

Debra Everts is grateful for every minute she spends with her family since experiencing a heart attack at age 37.

A Story from my Heart

As a 37-year-old mother of three, I can honestly say that the last thing I thought I had to worry about was a heart attack.

My life changed when I experienced chest pain while exercising using my Wii Fit at home. I went to the Emergency Department but all tests came back fine. A few days later I experienced an especially strong pain and went to the Emergency Department again . This time my tests came back with something shocking: It was a heart attack.

Thank goodness that our cath lab was there! The best part, aside from the great care, was the fact that I could stay in Thunder Bay for my procedure. It was so important to spend time with my family through this experience. It was vital to keeping my stress levels down and helped my recovery.

Thank you to the generous supporters of the Health Sciences Foundation for funding the many pieces of equipment necessary to keep these programs running. You made a huge difference in my life and I know that you have made in a difference in the lives of many others.

Tom Mihaljevic poses proudly with his daughter Makayla who decided to make a generous donation to the Health Sciences Foundation.

The Spirit of Giving Grows: Daughter Takes a Page from her Father's Book of Generosity

After reading the financial section of the paper back in August, Makayla Mihaljevic urged her father to purchase some Apple stocks. Together, they watched those stocks climb in value and by October they were able to sell for a profit.

At only 14 years old, Makayla made the extremely generous decision to donate 100% of the profit from the Apple shares to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. "I know I'll have more money in my life. I wanted to give this money to someone who could do more with it than I could," says the St. Ignatius student.

The funds will be designated to paediatric care at the Health Sciences Centre and will touch the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of babies, children, and families.

Mike and Dawn Nitz made a donation to the Health Sciences Foundation recognition of the outstanding care their new baby recieved.

Baby's First Christmas

The first weeks of Jaxon's life were the hardest weeks of his parents' lives. After being born 5 weeks premature, he was immediately whisked away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Paediatric professionals found that Jaxon's lungs weren't fully developed and that he had a small brain bleed. "We feared the worst. But the doctors, nurses - everyone kept us calm and informed. They were remarkable," recalls new father Mike Nitz. After 2 weeks, they were able to take Jaxon home for the first time. "It was difficult for us to leave as the staff cared for him so well. He might not have made it without the NICU and their immediate care and concern for his life," says Mike.

Mike and his wife credit the many, wonderful healthcare professionals at the Health Sciences Centre for Jaxon's recovery, as well as the specialized equipment that was funded by donations to the Health Sciences Foundation.They decided to give back in recognition of the great care they received. "I'm very glad we did that. I've seen the difference donations make," he says.

Elizabeth, Kailee, Timothy, and Ashton visit with Dr. Ester Ho and Dr. Ryan Endersby in the operating room.

Family CARE Grant Funds OR Tours for Paediatric Patients

The prospect of surgery can be frightening at any age, but for children it can be particularly overwhelming. For a large part of their experience, they are alone with OR staff in unfamiliar surroundings. Allowing them to visit the operating and recovery rooms ahead of time and meet some of the staff makes the experience far less scary.

"I wasn't sure what to expect but they did a fabulous job," said Sally, whose son Timothy was on the tour.  Kailee was also on the tour and said that she was no longer as scared to come in once she knew what to expect.

The program comes thanks to the dedication of Health Sciences Centre OR staff who developed the tour and submitted an application to the Health Sciences Foundation for a Family CARE Grant. Family CARE Grants are made possible through donations Foundation.

Marathon participant Cathy Michaliuk 'ran for a reason' in support of the Norther Cardiac Fund. 

Marathoner had a Reason to Run

Thunder Bay Marathon – Miles with the Giant provided the opportunity for runners to raise pledges and designate the charity they would support. Cathy Michaliuk was one of those runners.

Just a few weeks before the marathon Cathy’s mother had a heart attack.  Thanks to the advances that have been made here in cardiac care at the Health Sciences Centre, her mother was in and out of the hospital in 2 ½ days. “The significance of the speed in receiving treatment and having it ‘at home’ is huge, not only for the patients but also for the wellbeing of their loved ones,” explains Cathy.

Cathy is so grateful for the excellent care given to her mother by the staff at the Health Sciences Centre that she was proud to ‘run for a reason’ in support of the Northern Cardiac Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.

Donations to the Health Sciences Foundation helped Debra-Ann and her late husband Paul, Now she gives back to help others.

My Story About My Late Husband

My late husband Paul had cancer when he was younger and developed kidney problems from the radiation treatment. Had it not been for the treatment he received at the Health Sciences Centre, Paul would have been gone before we even had a chance to meet.

When Paul’s kidneys started to fail, he was given a catheter and trained for home dialysis. When our 10th anniversary rolled around the Health Sciences Centre helped us to send all of his equipment to our hotel in Banff so that we could take a vacation to celebrate. Unfortunately, Paul passed away from a massive heart attack shortly after.

The treatment and support we received from the Health Sciences Centre gave us an extra year and a half together along with the beautiful memory of our 10th anniversary. Thank you to all the generous people who have ever donated to the Health Sciences Centre. Your donations changed my life. I decided to donate to the renal unit in hopes that it will help more people like Paul and I encourage others to join me. Your donations could help others get the care that they need, close to home.

Thank you,

Debra-Ann Brown

Jim and Elilzabeth Stasiuk leave a bequest in their Will to support patient care at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Willing to Give Back: Experiences with Healthcare Inspire Generosity

Elizabeth and Jim Stasiuk have developed a deep appreciation for the healthcare available here in Northwestern Ontario.

“Our family has been provided with superior medical services,” Jim explains.  As a cardiac patient, Jim was impressed with the level of care he received at the Health Sciences Centre.  And when their daughter contracted a life-threatening tropical disease, she was flown to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.”Within an hour she had an MRI. Everyone looked after her so well, we feel very fortunate.” Elizabeth says. Jim credits the specialists at the Health Sciences Centre for her excellent recovery.

Their experiences led Elizabeth and Jim to include a bequest in their will to support patient care at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “We wanted to do something that would benefit our family, but we also wanted to do something so patients can be looked after,” explains Jim.

Flo Kiiskila included a gift to the Northern Cancer Fund in her Will in order to support research.  

Two-Time Breast Cancer Survivor Values Cancer Research

Flo Kiiskila woke up one morning with an inexplicable feeling that she had breast cancer. She was right. A mammogram revealed the tumour and a month later Flo had surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation. She also took part in a clinical trial in the hopes that it would help advance cancer care in the future. The treatment she received was effective, Flo had beaten breast cancer.

Over a decade later, a different type of cancer was found on Flo’s other breast. This time, thanks to advances made in cancer care, it was caught early. Surgery and radiation was all that was required to defeat the cancer. “They’ve made tremendous strides since the 90’s,” explains Flo.

Flo wants breast cancer research to continue into the future, and that prompted her to include the Northern Cancer Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation in her Will. “We’ve got to change cancer, the way it can take lives. Research is the future”.

Every man is Prostate Man!  Donations support prostate cancer awareness campaigns in Northwestern Ontario.

Prostate Man

For four years, Prostate Man has reminded the men of Northwestern ontario how important it is to avoid prostate cancer by living healthy lifestyles. Last year, Ron Hell, who so capably portrayed the aging superhero, hung up his cape. The search to replace him began. After careful consideration by the prostate cancer awareness campaign committee, a decision has been reached: Every man is Prostate Man!

“We received a lot of interest,” says Alison McMullen, Director of Preventive Oncology at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Regional Cancer Care Northwest and member of the committee.

“We realized the important work of Prostate Man is beyond one individual’s capacity. Essentially, we’re asking all men over 50 to be advocates for prostate health,” McMullen announced. “As Prostate Man, every man not only reduces his own risk for prostate cancer by talking to his health care provider about his risk for prostate cancer and being active every day, he also encourages others to do the same.”

Mrs. Elli Lieske and Mr. Peter Hyde found a way to make a difference.

Putting Stock in Local Healthcare

Both Peter Hyde and his wife Elli Lieske recently received care at the Health Sciences Centre – care that involved tests and routine procedures – but neither has ever spent a night in a hospital. That didn’t stop the couple from appreciating the value of our Health Sciences Centre. 

“The few times we’ve needed the care, it’s been excellent,” Elli says. “The staff is amazing.” The couple wanted to support healthcare and recently found a way to donate that fit with their own financial goals.

While employed with Safeway, Elli bought stocks in the company. When she and Peter updated their wills (which they do every four years), they discussed the stocks with their accountant. “We knew we could get by without the stocks and we wanted to support a worthwhile cause,” Peter explains. “The stocks enabled us to make the gift we wanted to make.”

Donating gifts of stock can provide considerable tax benefits as well. “People can donate publicly listed securities to the Health Sciences Foundation without incurring any capital gains tax,” says Terri Hrkac, Director of Major and Planned Giving at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. “For people like Elli and Peter, that isn’t a motivating factor, but it is a nice benefit.”

What was important to Elli and Peter was that the money stayed local. “It feels good to know we’ve done something to help people here in our community when they need healthcare,” Elli notes.

To learn more about donating gifts of stocks, please contact Terri Hrkac at 684-7109.

Paediatric patient Kaitlyn Ellerton uses a new white board to help keep everyone as informed as possible about her care plan.

On Board for Patient and Family Centred Care

A lot of different people interact with patients staying at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre: family members, physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and a long list of others. Each has important information to communicate, questions to ask or answer. With Patient & Family Centred Care in mind, the Health Sciences Centre is introducing a strategy to help keep everyone as informed as possible about a patient’s care plan. 

White boards will be placed at every inpatient bedside. The white boards feature specific spaces for the names of the people on the care team, daily care plan items (such as time of an x-ray or a visit from a dietician), instructions for healthcare providers (such as do not take blood pressure readings from the right arm) and discharge information. Colour-coded symbols indicate the patient’s discharge readiness. There is also an area where patients and family members can write down questions for the care team.

“The white boards allow healthcare professionals to respond to specific questions even when the family is not present and the patient is sleeping. The answer is simply recorded on the white board for them to read when they can,” says Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott. To maximize their effectiveness, white boards will be customized for different areas of care within the Health Sciences Centre. For example, white boards for paediatric patients include an area to list items that help comfort the child.     

Donations to the Health Sciences Foundation support patient and family centred care initiatives like this one.

Cancer survivor Frances Cheetham and her daughter Laura Gray are busy planning the 2010 Spur the Cure event.

Cancer Spurs Hope

“Two weeks after I heard my physician introduce the ‘C’ word into our conversation I was still numb,” says Frances Cheetham.  For her, cancer was completely unexpected. “No one in my family ever had cancer, so I had no point of reference to know how I should deal with it.” 

Throughout her biopsy, tests, waiting, surgery, treatments and healing, she turned to her faith in God for comfort. She also found the support she needed in her family, friends and healthcare professionals. “They were all so supportive and helpful. I don’t know how to begin to say thank you,” Cheetham says. 

But she does know how to give back.  Cheetham and her daughter, Laura Gray, are involved in Spur the Cure, an event that will raise funds for the Northern Cancer Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.  100% of the funds raised will stay in Northwestern Ontario to support world-class cancer care for patients like Cheetham.

“We want to make a difference,” says Gray, who organizes Spur the Cure. Watching her mother battle cancer motivated her to start the event.  The fear of cancer returning keeps her going. “Cancer is a battle. That’s why we are helping in the fight.”  Gray looked to her fellow horse enthusiasts and created the fundraiser. Spur the Cure will be held on August 7, 2010. 

“We all have to deal with the fear, pain, despair and heartache that cancer brings to our doors. But there is hope. We can work together to help more people survive cancer,” Gray says.

For more information about Spur the Cure, email yahoo%23ca|spurthecure or visit www.spurthecure.com .

RN Cathy Prystay helps place a pocket talker on patient Barb Fillmore.

Pocket Talkers Pump Up the Volume

Communication is the vital first step to providing excellent healthcare. Sometimes communication can be a barrier for patients who are hearing impaired. They may have difficulty hearing questions, and therefore may not provide the answers hospital staff need.

One recent Family CARE Grant went directly to purchasing a new “pocket talker” that helps amplify sound for the hearing impaired.

“Pocket talkers are used a lot in our building,” said Mary Jane Kurm, chair of the Accessibility Advisory Team (AAT) and Clinical Manager at the Health Sciences Centre. “A lot of our patients need hearing assistance.”

The personal amplification system, similar to cheaper models seen on TV, makes speech and sounds louder for the user.

Pocket talkers are useful for anyone with hearing impairment, including elderly patients whose hearing may decline over the years.

“Families get to see first-hand how beneficial these devices can be,” Kurm said. “They’re amazed that their parent can hear so well – they’ll often buy one for them when they get home.”

Katherine Grimard and her 12-hour old son Logan, sitting with nurse Denise Pollari outside the doors at Labour and Delivery. Katherine said that the bench also came in handy late the night before when she was in labour, allowing her to walk around outside and then sit when she needed to.

Donations Give New Mothers a Place to Sit

Dr. Kristin Reid, a Family Physician in Thunder Bay who also does obstetrics, is always in and out of the Labour and Delivery entrance at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. She noticed a curious thing: there is no seating outside of the doors.

“I saw these pregnant ladies standing out there, waiting for their rides,” Dr. Reid said. “I thought: ‘They should have a place to sit.’

Labour and Delivery is a separate area of the Health Sciences Centre with its own doors and its own pickup and drop-off area for expectant and new mothers. It is a natural place to wait while the rest of the family brings the car around. Although it may save mother and baby a walk, it obviously would be more comfortable if they had a place to sit.

Now, thanks to Dr. Reid’s observation and a grant from the Health Sciences Foundation, they will. The bench was installed outside of Labour and Delivery in early April.

“It really is just a little thing, but hopefully it works out for everybody,” she said.

Marcia Hiiro bids farewell to the home dialysis machine she no longer needs.

Marcia Hiiro gets a new kidney, and a new life

Marcia Hiiro now has many years to watch her two grandchildren grow, and that’s something she doesn’t take for granted anymore.

In February 2006, tests revealed that Marcia had renal disease.  Life with renal disease isn’t easy. Marcia’s kidneys shut down and could no longer filter the toxins out of her blood. She was put on the kidney transplant list and went on hemodialysis three times per week, four hours per treatment. The life-saving hemodialysis machines are funded by donations.

Marcia’s story is similar to the 180 (and growing) dialysis patients who rely on the Renal Service at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre  every day.

Marcia got her happy ending last summer with a kidney transplant. She thanks the staff here for giving her a new chance at life by providing the care she needed before and after the transplant.

For dozens of dialysis patients, there are still happy endings to be written. With your donation to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation today, we’ll help more patients like Marcia get the care they need.

Pasquale Bossio (right, with his son Tony) says he feels “like a million bucks!” after receiving angioplasty at our Health Sciences Centre just this past November. Having family at his side made all the difference .

Family, donors and caregivers at the heart of cardiac care

Pasquale Bossio had been experiencing shortness of breath and tightness in his chest. An angiogram revealed a significant blockage in one of his arteries. Two days later, Pasquale had an angioplasty.

“That team is wonderful,” Pasquale praises. “They are so knowledgeable, so organized and so caring.” The team of caregivers in the cardiac catheterization lab ensured Pasquale’s family was fully involved in his care.

“We were always aware of the procedures, the results, the care,” his son Tony recalls.  “We were with him the entire time. I can’t imagine how challenging it would have been for our whole family if Dad had to be flown out of town.” 

“I felt 100% better right away,” Pasquale reports. “And I got to stay here instead of flying to another city. I’m so thankful.”

Pasquale is grateful that donations from the community made it possible to have angioplasty at  Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre .  “You really don’t know how important it is to have these services here until you have to go through it. I wish I could thank every single person who donated,” he says.

Rose Marie Daigle of Dryden (front) and Geraldine and Bob Duguay of Hearst found a bright side to cancer.

Under one roof
Love and cancer bind strangers

“It makes all the difference in the world, being here,” Rose Marie Daigle explains. She should know. Her perspective changed when she became a cancer patient. Before then, she didn’t know TBay Tel Tamarack House existed. She now wants everyone to know about it. And she wants to thank the many people who provided this gift. Donations from people across Northwestern Ontario made TBayTel Tamarack House possible. “From the bottom of our hearts, we really appreciate it,” Rose Marie says.
 
The home-away-from-home for regional cancer patients undergoing treatment at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre ’s Regional Cancer has made all the difference in the world to hundreds of patients like Bob Duguay and his wife Geraldine, or Heast. 

Because Bob is sick, he’s unable to work. Until the employment benefits paperwork is processed, there is no income. “We wouldn’t have come. There’s no money for a hotel,” she says. “Thank Heaven for this place.”

William in incubator. Now five years old, William Hutton is the happy and healthy apple of his parents’ eyes.

Newborn Baby gets Intensive Care

Yvonne Hutton gave birth to her son William at Atikokan General Hospital.  But it was a rapid birth, which can sometimes come with consequences.  “He had a very low resting heart rate and was very lethargic,” Hutton recalls.

Doctors became increasingly concerned when William’s condition didn’t improve after a few hours.  There were fears that he could have a heart condition or other conditions requiring care and equipment not available at AGH. 

Just twelve hours into his young life, William had his first plane ride. He and his mother were flown to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Cent re. 

Baby William was whisked to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and placed in an infant warmer, or incubator. “Essentially, he had pneumonia,” explains Hutton. 
William spent the next five days in the infant warmer with IV tubes providing him antibiotics. The infant warmer that was an essential part of William’s care was purchased through donations to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.

Thankfully, Hutton was able to stay in the Health Sciences Centre, close to her new baby, not in a hotel room far away.  Hutton stayed in the Parenting Room named in honour of the Mill Employee’s Charity Fund of Bowater Canadian Forest Products Inc., Thunder Bay Operations.  The group donated $50,000 in support of the capital campaign for the Health Sciences Centre. 

Andrea Maenpaa (left) is prepared for monitoring tests by Colleen Morrow, RN who coordinates  the cardiac outreach program at the Health Sciences Centre.

Program makes a big difference for little patients

A little-known program is making a world of difference to little patients. Eight-year-old Andrea Maenpaa is one of approximately 120 children currently receiving care through a cardiac outreach program at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre .

“I was astounded by the prevalence of cardiac anomalies in paediatric patients,” says Colleen Morrow, RN, who coordinates the program. Morrow was already an experienced paediatric nurse when she began working with the outreach program ten years ago.

The program is offered through links with Ottawa Children’s Hospital and Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Kids. Dr. Herschel Rosenberg is a paediatric cardiology specialist who visits Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to see children birth to 18 years. In an average three-day visit, Dr. Rosenberg and his team here see 55 paediatric patients.

“Because we can provide the program here through partnerships, these young patients don’t have to travel every six months for routine assessments,” says Morrow.
"I cannot begin to express my gratitude to him and Colleen for their dedication," says Andrea's mother Tina. 

Donations to the Northern Cardiac Fund support valuable cardiac programs like this one.   

The Linda Buchan Centre for Breast Cancer Screening and Assessment

Equipment and services in the Maternal Child Unit

TBayTel Tamarack House

Medical equipment and technology in all areas of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre , including Renal Care , Neurosurgery and Trauma