Ninety per cent of the Cardiac Fund’s $146,000 goal has been raised, thanks to a $36,930 donation from The Temiskaming Foundation, announced John Sullivan, Chair, Blanche River Health Foundation. 

“On behalf of our patients and employees, I thank the Temiskaming Foundation for its generous support of the Blanche River Health Foundation Cardiac Fund, an initiative launched last year to support the purchase of much needed cardiac equipment at both the Englehart and Kirkland lake hospital sites,” said Sullivan. “Local businesses, individuals and organizations have stepped up to support our fundraising efforts, and I’m proud to say the new equipment is on order.”  

The Cardiac Fund was launched to raise money for the purchase of:  

• 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 donation by The Temiskaming Foundation, which will be used to purchase a new heart monitor for use at the Englehart site, brings the total amount raised to $130,596.  

“We are proud to support quality cardiac care at Blanche River Health’s Englehart site, and wish the Foundation every success as it nears its $146,000 goal,” said Brigid Wilkinson, Executive Director, The Temiskaming Foundation. 

“Heart disease is one of the main causes of death and hospitalization in Canada, which means there are a lot of people we serve who are likely to require immediate medical intervention,” added Sullivan.  “That’s why equipping our clinicians with the tools they need to save lives has been our focus, and we are very grateful for the generosity and support we have received.” 

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. Our mission is to make health care work for you. BRH values people and continuous improvement and we demonstrate this through accountability, respect, and courage to excel.