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Hospital 50/50 draw success allows for purchase of new equipment

Sudbury hospital will be purchasing new infant incubators and breast cancer testing equipment
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Pictured with the big cheque is (from left) Debbie Lahti, Clinical Manager of NICU/Pediatrics at the NEO Kids & Family Program at HSN; Anthony Keating, President and CDO of Foundations and Volunteer Groups at HSN and Chelsea Bartolucci, Coordinator of the Breast Screening and Assessment Service at HSN. (Supplied)

The success of the 50/50 cash lottery at Health Sciences North has resulted in raising enough money for the purchase of a new breast vacuum biopsy system for the Breast Screening and Assessment Service (BSAS) and two new Infant Incubators for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The fundraising was carried out by the HSN Foundation along with NEO Kids Foundation, the Northern Cancer Foundation and the HSN Volunteer Association, which raised $150,000 through the 50/50 Cash Lottery for the North.

While government funding covers the operating costs of hospitals, the purchase of new medical equipment is the responsibility of the hospital. 

HSN said the infant incubators are used to regulate the temperature of prematurely born babies, providing a stable environment for the child to develop. The two incubators being purchased are specifically for travel purposes, allowing babies to be brought back to their home communities for further care closer to home said the hospital.

“Incubators are all about keeping our littlest patients in arms reach of their family,” said Debbie Lahti, clinical manager of NICU/Pediatrics at the NEO Kids and Family Program at HSN.

"It's fitting that a community initiative like the HSN 50/50 would support the purchase of these incubators that will be used to keep newborns closer to their home communities in the northeast.”

The other equipment purchase, the Atec Breast Biopsy System, acts as a one-stop-shop for patients needing a biopsy with mammogram guidance, said HSN. The vacuum-assisted system takes a larger sample ensuring better accuracy for diagnosis while being faster. Updating this system means that patients will receive timely care when they need it and avoid alternatives that may be more invasive.

“We used this system up to 120 times per year and it is our best option for mammography assisted biopsies. It ensures fast, safe and high quality care is delivered to our patients,” said Chelsea Bartolucci, co-ordinator of the Breast Screening and Assessment Service at HSN. 

“We are so pleased to be receiving this incredible support from our community, especially during breast cancer awareness month. We encourage women to consult their primary care physician to discuss their screening options.”

To book a screening mammogram through the service call 705-675-2283.

Anthony Keating, president and CDO of Foundations and Volunteer Groups at HSN, is pleased with the success of the campaign.

“We have received outstanding support for our 50/50 draw since June and it feels so good to be able to turn that support into these much needed pieces of equipment for our hospital and the patients of northeastern Ontario,” said Keating.

“While a lucky few walk away with a cash jackpot, these and future equipment purchases will ensure that everyone in northeastern Ontario wins the HSN 50/50 Cash Lottery for the North.”

Residents across Ontario over the age of 18 can purchase tickets for a chance to win. Tickets for the October draw are available to purchase right now, with sales ending at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. The jackpot winning ticket will be drawn on Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. and posted online at HSN5050.ca.


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