Nanaimo hospital perinatal unit gets unexpected boost

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Barney Ellis-Perry and Rob Fetherstonhaugh outside Nanaimo hospital following a recent cheque presentation. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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“This ensures that they always have one at the ready when there’s an emergency surgery happening in the maternity unit,” Ellis-Perry told NanaimoNewsNOW, who noted the device is essential for controlling bleeding.

Ellis-Perry said the fetal monitors provide real-time data to more effectively monitor and react to high-risk pregnancies.

The NRGH maternity unit has benefitted from significant equipment upgrades through NDHF campaigns.

Ellis-Perry said state of the art incubators, new maternity beds, and a mobile ventilator with accompanied specialized stretcher are among key successful fundraising campaigns to support the hospital’s youngest patients.

“We’re talking well over a million dollars in equipment over the last two years, we’re making great progress,” he said.

During a recent trip to NRGH as part of a Vancouver Island tour, Cycles for Kids co-founder’s Rob Fetherstonhaugh and Marc Balevi expanded on the work they do.

With $4.5 million raised in 25-years, Fetherstonhaugh said they spend time to make strategic investments to support children’s care in hospitals across the country.

“We go and bring money in from outside the community, so we’re not impacting on the fundraising efforts here, which are phenomenal. We’re kind of an add-on,” he said.

Comprised of members primarily across North America, Cycles for Kids sees “a never-ending need,” in the words of co-founder Marc Balevi.

“We fill in the gaps that they need so badly. That’s kind of our mission,” Balevi said.

Marc Balevi and Rob Fetherstonhaugh of Canada Cycles for Kids speak to reporters outside NRGH.

Opened in 2007, the two-storey maternity ward, including perinatal/neonatal care, is located near the hospital’s main entrance on Dufferin Cres.

More information on the NDHF, including convenient online donation options, are available here.

Members of Canada Cycles for Kids, NRGH perinatal health professionals, and NDHF representatives gather for a cheque presentation. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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