Lots of children hope to find some new tech under the tree, but the Westlock Healthcare Centre is looking to acquire a very specific piece of equipment for its littlest patients.
This year the hospital will use proceeds for its third annual Tree of Hope fundraising drive to purchase a $12,000 pediatric cardiac monitor.
“It gives comprehensive pediatric information, such as monitoring of heart rate and rhythm at a glance for the staff,” said site manager Loraine Oleski. “When you have a sick child it is a life-saving piece of equipment.”
As the monitor is portable, it would be able to be moved around the centre as needed, or even taken to the scene of an emergency.
“It can be put on a stretcher, so if we have to move a sick child around the hospital to get a CT scan or ultrasound, we take the monitor with them,” she said.
Oleski said that people are able to purchase ornaments ranging from $20 to $5,000 in value and each donor’s name is written on their ornament.
They’re then placed on a steel tree that currently occupies the main lobby of the hospital.
At the lower end of the scale is a candy cane-shaped ornament while a $5,000 donor will light an angel at the top of the tree. All donations are tax deductible and can be made until Jan. 8.
Oleski explained that the donation drive is being run by hospital staff.
“Our community does not have a healthcare foundation,” she said. “So this is how we can purchase these bigger items.”
She noted it was important for the community to support efforts like this to ensure that the hospital is able to provide the same quality service as others across the province.
“We are a true community hospital,” she said.
“We deliver service to all patients, so we need the equipment at our fingertips to help us deliver the same care as any other hospital in the province.”
With the proceeds raised from last year’s event, they were able to purchase a neonatal monitor, while money raised in 2015 went towards a ventilator for the emergency department.
“We’ve used the neonatal monitor several times this year already,” said Oleski. “That’s why we’re hoping to get the pediatric one, because we’ve already seen the impact the neonatal monitor has had.”
Donations can be made by cheque to Alberta Health Services with a “Tree of Hope” written in the memo. Donations can be dropped off at the main desk of the Westlock Healthcare Centre or mailed in to the hospital — anyone with inquiries should phone Oleski at 780-350-2004.
