Blanche River Health is closer to its goal of purchasing new cardiac equipment for the Englehart and Kirkland Lake sites, thanks to a $25,000 donation by the Hospital Auxiliary, announced Jorge VanSlyke, President and CEO, Blanche River Health.

“We thank the Hospital Auxiliary, a group of volunteers who raise money for new medical equipment by operating the gift shop in Kirkland Lake,” said VanSlyke. 

“Cardiac disease is a leading cause of death and hospitalization in Canada, and many in our community are at risk of having a heart issue that requires immediate attention,” she added. “This donation brings us closer to equipping our clinicians with the modern cardiac equipment they rely on to help save lives.”

The donation brings to $49,312.77 the amount raised toward the $146,000 goal to fund:

• One automatic compression machine, used to provide patients with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when their heart has stopped beating. The machine would be for the Kirkland Lake site, as Englehart already has one.
• Replacement of seven cardiac monitors used at both sites by clinicians to ensure they are aware of any changes in heart activity.
• Two automatic emergency defibrillators (AEDs) to help restart a patient’s heart when it has suddenly stopped beating

 “The hospital Auxiliary is proud to support the purchase of new cardiac equipment at Blanche River Health,” said Lyn Lenardon, Hospital Auxiliary President. “We have a long history at the hospital, and we’re grateful for the return of customers from the community post-Covid.” 

“We’re open to the public Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” added Lenardon.  “We sell a wide range of gift items, handbags, locally-made jewelry, hand-made baby clothes and much more. Everything is tax free, and all profits support Blanche River Health” 

“Community support for the gift shop is vital because the funds raised helps bridge the gap between funding hospitals receive from the government, and expenses for unfunded medical equipment and infrastructure,” added VanSlyke.  

Blanche River Health is a 74-bed hospital corporation with two sites serving the North Eastern Ontario communities of Englehart (26 beds) and Kirkland Lake (48 beds) as well as residents in surrounding areas.

Photo caption: Front row, left to right: Joanne McDonald, Faye Britt, Lyn Lenardon, Pat Lacarte (Auxiliary members) Back row, left to right: Heather Lamy (Auxiliary member), Martha Cope, Vice-President, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Auxiliary members Dani Rankin and Liz Middleton, Jorge VanSlyke, President and CEO, Auxiliary members John Boisvert, Doreen Sasseville and Judy Gervais. 

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