Light a Bulb for Cardiac Care This Holiday Season
VERNON, BC: For over 30 years the holiday season has been synonymous with lighting a bulb on a tree at the hospital as part of the annual campaign that raises funds for critically needed healthcare items in our region. This year the Light a Bulb visuals will look a little different, but the need is not.
“We won’t be lighting a tree on the roof of the hospital for 2020. We will keep our beloved White Heart glowing in respect of our workers and medical teams who continue to work tirelessly to keep our community safe from Covid-19. However, we will be decorating Polson Tower with complementary strings of lights, allowing the community to get in the holiday spirit and to remind them that they can still light a bulb in support of healthcare this season,” stated Michael Kinghorn, VJH Foundation President, and Chair of the 2020 Light a Bulb Campaign.
This year, all funds raised through Light a Bulb will help purchase a much needed piece of equipment in the Medical Imaging Department in the Cardiology Unit at VJH. An additional echo cardiogram ultrasound—a machine that helps doctors determine a patient’s current heart health by taking moving pictures of their heart—is required to help reduce wait times for cardiac patients. These images help find the source of unexpected chest pain, pressure or shortness of breath. In addition, they can indicate signs of heart disease, determine how well a heart is pumping blood, and can assess how well the heart valves are working. All of which are important factors that medical teams use to support the diagnosis of cardiac concerns and determine next steps in treatment.
“We currently have two echo cardiogram ultrasound machines at VJH, however, the need for a third machine is critical. In the North Okanagan right now there are more than 1,200 residents waiting for an echo cardiogram ultrasound. The addition of one more machine would mean that wait times would be reduced by up to half. Meaning patients can be seen faster, diagnosed quicker, and can access the appropriate medical treatment in a timely manner,” stated Dr. Danie Roux, Head of Internal Medicine at VJH.
This year, we invite you to show your support for excellence in healthcare in a variety of ways. Donations can be made online at www.vjhfoundation.org/donate, via phone at 250.558.1362, or mailed to Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation, 2101 – 32nd Street Vernon BC V1T 5L2. Every gift, great or small, brings us closer to raising $275,000 for critical equipment at VJH.