By Joel van der Veen
As executive director of clinical services for Moose Jaw Union Hospital, Laurie Albinet knows what a difference the Family First Radiothon makes for both patients and staff each year.
The funds raised through this year’s broadcast — scheduled to run for 36 hours on May 3 and 4 on 800 CHAB, with the theme “Give in a Heartbeat” — will be used to purchase new cardiac and stroke equipment for the hospital.
On-air hosts Rob Carnie and Craig Hemingway will host the event live from the centre court of Town ‘n’ Country Mall.
“It will give us the newest and best equipment that’s available,” Albinet said Tuesday. “It allows our health care providers to constantly have all the information at their fingertips.”
The goal is to raise $202,000 — enough to cover the purchase of 20 oxygen and vital signs monitors, two defibrillators and four cardiac monitors.
Albinet said the monitors will help health care staff “instant access” to patients’ vital signs and give them the best information as they keep watch on their condition.
The defibrillators will replace two older units used in other areas of the hospital, while the cardiac monitors are going into the recovery room.
“It’s so important that people that are suffering from heart attacks and strokes get really quick treatment,” she explained. “Having the best equipment available just allows the health care workers. . . to constantly see what’s going on with their patient and be able to react quickly to any needs that patients may have.”
For more information, see Wednesday's edition of the Times-Herald.
