New Westminster, B.C. – {September 18, 2015} – Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation wants to bring the latest technology and equipment to the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab – the busiest in the province and serving the entire Fraser Health region.
The Cardiac Care Campaign has a $3.3 million dollar fundraising goal to upgrade Royal Columbian Hospital’s two cath lab suites, which are available 24/7 for cardiac emergencies like acute heart attacks. The interventional cardiology team performs high-levels of angioplasty to restore blood flow to blocked arteries and conducts angiograms to diagnose heart disease and other cardiac problems.
“Royal Columbian Hospital has one of the biggest programs across Canada for acute infarct angioplasty,” notes interventional cardiologist Dr. Gerald Simkus. “Just by virtue of the fact we are the interventional site for the entire Fraser Health Authority, in a lot of ways we are the cardiac emergency room for the whole region.”
Donations from individuals, businesses, community groups and foundations will help replace the cath lab’s imaging equipment and hemodynamic monitoring technology. Both are essential components of the lab and work in tandem to provide accurate information for safe and efficient patient care.
“The cath lab is crucial, and it is critical we maintain the suites with up-to-date technology and equipment,” says Foundation President and CEO Jeff Norris. “We have reached a point where full upgrades are needed to make sure Royal Columbian can continue to deliver the highest level of service to some of the most seriously ill patients in the province.”
Those suffering from heart attacks across the health region are regularly rushed from their homes straight to Royal Columbian’s cath lab, at times arriving by air ambulance for immediate, emergency care. Annually, the interventional cardiology team performs 2,300 angioplasties and 3,100 diagnostic catheterizations – the most in the province.
Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation is appealing for your help today to renew the hospital’s two cath lab suites without further delay to ensure they continue to provide the most advanced care to those who urgently need it. Donate today to the Cardiac Care Campaign by visiting www.rchfoundation.com/heart or phoning 604.520.4438.
Centre of excellence
Royal Columbian Hospital provides specialized care for cardiac services, trauma, neurosciences, high risk maternity and neonatal intensive care for some of the most seriously ill and injured people from across British Columbia. Located at the heart of one of the fastest growing health regions in Canada, the hospital serves a population of more than 1.7 million people (one in three British Columbians). Royal Columbian is also a UBC teaching hospital with a Clinical Academic Campus.
Raising Funds
Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation is an independent charitable foundation that raises millions of dollars annually to help fund priority equipment needs, facility enhancements, research, education and innovation at Royal Columbian Hospital. For more information about Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, visit www.rchfoundation.com or contact us at 604 520 4438.