The dedicated board of directors and community volunteers at the Moose Jaw Health Foundation have been putting in many hours getting ready for the 13th Annual 800 CHAB Family First Radiothon. The Radiothon will take place this Thursday and Friday, May 2nd and 3rd. For as long as I have had the honour to serve as an MLA, it has been a pleasure, each and every year, to be part of the broadcast bright and early before driving to the Legislature for the day. I feel humbled to be among those who give so much of themselves to provide the best health care possible in our city. I encourage everyone to tune in and to donate to help make significant improvements in the ability to provide the best possible care at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Hospital.
For 32 years, the volunteer board members, donors, and Foundation leadership have helped raise over 37 million dollars to help medical professionals save lives. Since the first Radiothon in 2006, funds have purchased pediatric, chemotherapy and endoscopic equipment; vital signs monitors, defibrillators, anesthetic machines, ultrasounds, portable digital x-ray and ultrasounds devices, critical care beds, monitors, and the hyperbaric chamber. Every area of hospital care has benefited from donor generosity.
The focus of this year’s surgical campaign is to raise $150,000 for the purchase of a lithotripsy unit to treat kidney stones and bladder stones. The surgical device pulverizes the stones and suctions away the fragments so patients do not experience the pain of passing them. The campaign also includes the purchase of a new anesthetic machine to provide surgical patients with the latest and safest technology. Every donation, regardless of the size, will make a difference in patient care in our community. Thank you to Thunder Creek Pork for generously pledging to match donations, dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000.
Executive Director Kelly McElree and the Moose Jaw Health Foundation are active all year round with organizations, community clubs and groups. Besides the Radiothon, community volunteers get involved with events like the Festival of Trees and Sundae with Santa, the Little Princess Ball, Moose Jawg, the Cancer Care Raffle, and Concerts in the Park. More than 37 million dollars raised for health care over the years shows what great success comes about with teamwork and the generosity of a caring community.
This is also a good time to recognize those who are on the front lines of providing health care; our nurses. Next week is “National Nursing Week”. Excellence in care and positive outcomes depend on these dedicated professionals. In Saskatchewan we have more than 16,000 nurses to thank; including registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurse practitioners. Thank you for your dedication.
Many will remember how Saskatchewan lost 450 nurses from 2001 to 2006. Fortunately, since that time, health care has continued to improve in large part because of the over 3,700 more nurses providing services. We have more nurses in the province now than at any other time in our history.
Dedicated health care professionals, outstanding organizations like the Moose Jaw Health Foundation, together with the Government of Saskatchewan has seen great improvement in the delivery of health care. Together we will continue to improve health care throughout the province.
