Dr. Solomon Sogbein explains the importance and impact of the Green Light Laser for prostate cancer treatment, one of the three main initiatives that the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation is focused on funding. The NBRHC is the first hospital in Northeastern Ontario to house the technology. PHOTO BY LIAM BERTI
The provincial government provides a standard level of health care. But ultimately, it’s up to the people in each community to decide how far the level of care can advance.
That was the message sent out by the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation on Thursday morning as they hosted their annual program launch.
Thanks to vigorous community support here in North Bay, the NBRHCF has been able to make an impact on local health care, and in an effort to progress even further, they officially launched their new fundraising program on Thursday morning.
This year, Tammy Morison, president and CEO of the NBRHCF, said the organization will continue to move forward with a focus on children, while adding an initiative for men’s health as well.
The Foundation is focusing on three distinct initiatives: acquiring a Central Fetal Monitoring System, a Green Light Laser for prostate surgery and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit.
“These three initiatives are exciting because they will help provide more advanced levels of care, close to home, for every generation,” said Morison. “NBRHC is a district referral centre, providing specialist services for smaller communities in the area.”
Donations and fundraising allow the facility to purchase advanced medical equipment beyond the hospital’s means set out by government and granting agencies.
They are now aiming to raise money for a $1.25 million Central Fetal Monitoring System, which will allow doctors and nurses to instantly evaluate a baby for signs of distress during labour and delivery, some of the riskiest moments in any health centre.
The foundation is also looking to raise $600,000 to support the Child and Adolescent Mental health Unit, a specialized program that has helped over 65 children since April 1 stay closer to home during their mental illness treatment.
As for the men’s health initiative, the NBRHCF is funding Green Light Laser technology for prostate surgery. The NBRHC is the first hospital in Northeastern Ontario to house the technology, and the results have already started paying off.
Dr. Solomon Sogbein said that the laser procedure has helped speed up recovery times, decreased hospital stays, shortened catheterization time and minimized the chance of blood loss during the procedure.
While the technology was introduced some 20 years ago, finding the resources and funding to acquire such an important piece of equipment has been a difficult task.
“We have been trying to get this for the past 10 years or so, but it’s been difficult because of funding,” said Dr. Sogbein. “We are very grateful to the foundation for helping us with the fundraising, which has really helped us get the machine.”
Luc Lalonde, vice-chair of the NBRHCF Board of Trustees, said the organization runs over 15 events every year to raise funds for the health centre. For their next effort, they are hosting the eighth annual Our Hospital Walk/Run on Oct.19.
The funds raised through the recreational event go directly towards the NBRHC. Last year, the Century 21 Mover and Shakers team raised the most of any team en route to conquering the team challenge and team spirit awards.
Team leader Rob Jamieson put out a challenge to all local businesses during Thursday’s announcement to try and strip Century 21 of their trophies and take part in the community fundraising event.
The NBRHCF also announced that they are one of 60 recipients of a new $8,000 grant from Bell Let’s Talk, which will go towards increasing public awareness about mental health.
The money will be used to place posters throughout Northern Ontario communities to promote a series of workshops called Psychosis 101. Delivered by the Ontario Telemedicine Network, the workshops aim to reach outlying areas in the region where people haven’t had any kind of training in psychosis and early intervention techniques.
Cheryl Zufelt, coordinator of the Regional Early Intervention in Psychosis Program, said the grant will go a long way in helping establish a system of support throughout the region that allows young people experiencing psychosis to proceed with their life goals and give them the best chance at optimal recovery.
There are currently 55 people registered from 13 different locations in the region so far, with hopes of increasing that total with the grant money.
“This donation will allow us to increase the public awareness of early psychosis by placing posters in the communities of these participants,” said Terry Bedard, regional outreach specialist at NBRHC. “Both public awareness and training will have an impact on the service providers by expanding their view and knowledge of early psychosis.”
In total, there were more than 700 applicants that were evaluated for the grant.
Wrapping up the annual launch on Thursday was the Robotics Team FIRST 1305, who unveiled their latest Lego coin collecting creation. The team presented a donation to the Foundation for $1305, which they raised with their first Lego production over the past year.
The coin-operated contraption will be featured in the Health Centre’s east lobby, with all of the proceeds once again being donated to the NBRHC.
