New Westminster, B.C. – {April 3, 2018} – Newborns in need of intensive care at Royal Columbian Hospital are being given added comfort and warmth with a gift from a national charity that focuses on neonatal care.
A $20,000 grant by the Sandra Schmirler Foundation will purchase two new infant warmers for the hospital’s Variety Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) - one of four ‘Level 3’ centres in the province that are designated to care for the sickest and most fragile premature babies from throughout British Columbia.
The infant warmer provides evenly distributed heat in a bassinette and is used for babies who require short term observation in the NICU after birth.
“In cases where our newborns need to spend a small amount of time under the careful watch of our neonatal team, the legacy created by the Sandra Schmirler Foundation will help,” says Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation President and CEO Jeff Norris. “It’s the latest contribution from a wonderful organization that in the recent past has also purchased a ventilator, a fetal monitor and an infusion pump for our NICU.”
“We want all babies born too soon, too small or too sick to have a chance to grow up and be champions,” says Robin Wilson, Leadership Director with the Sandra Schmirler Foundation. “By continuing to recognize and celebrate Sandra Schmirler’s love of family, we are grateful that we can make a difference in NICUs right across Canada like Royal Columbian Hospital.”
Royal Columbian Hospital’s Variety NICU has been recognized for close to two decades as consistently having among the best survival rates in Canada, despite the challenge of caring for babies born as early as 23 weeks into pregnancy and weighing as little as 500 grams or less.
Your care is critical
At Royal Columbian, the most seriously ill and injured get their greatest chance at life. We are the only hospital in BC with trauma, cardiac, neurosciences, high-risk maternity and neonatal intensive care on one site. We look after some of the most seriously ill and injured patients, and we do it with the support of donors like you.
Since 1978, donors to Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation have helped fund priority equipment needs, facility enhancements, research, education and innovation at Royal Columbian Hospital.