ICCHA/Wish Fund 2020

Our Community Giving Back Have a HEART to GIVE, for a HEART to LIVE! ISSUE No. 03 | Dec 2020

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ICCHA/WISH FUND

VALLEY FIRST: STRONG COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS

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alley First, a division of First West Credit Union is sponsoring the ICCHA/ Wish Fund for a third year. The organization’s support for this initiative stems from learning about the needs of one of Valley First’s employees who had required health care that wasn’t available, said Kelley Bossert, regional manager of commercial banking in Kamloops.

The goal to raise funds for urgently needed healthcare equipment touched the entire team and the fund fit with the financial institution’s belief in helping its

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members and its communities.

“Each year, though our community giving, we invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the communities Valley First serves through donations and sponsorships of organizations and charities like ICCHA/Wish, through volunteerism and employee giving,” Bossert said.

It has signed on as a gold sponsor for the ICCHA/Wish Fund Drive-Thru Dinner on November 13th.

“In Kamloops, our staff not only raise food and funds for the food bank through in-brand fundraising

and events like our annual Blazers Feed the Valley food bank night, but we have also supported the Royal Inland Hospital for many years,” said Bossert. “The hospital is a pillar for the community. They provide a vital service to our community and in one way or another, our lives are all touched by the important work that they do. Over the last several months—during the COVID-19 pandemic—we have been reminded of their importance, and we’re proud to continue to support their work in transforming healthcare for our community.”

CELEBRATING 12 YEARS

Contents PUBLISHED BY

Kamloops This Week PRODUCTION TEAM

Amrita Ebata Ray Jolicoeur Lee Malbeuf CONTACT

ICCHA/Wish Fund c/o RIH Foundation 311 Columbia Street, Kamloops BC V2C 2TI www.iwishfund.com iwishfund@gmail.com Al Patel - Founder 250.319.2074

BRINGING “ROYAL” SERVICE BACK TO OUR HOSPITAL . . . . . . . 7 IN-KIND GALA DONORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 A MESSAGE FROM THE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT . . . . . . . . 9 A MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 THE JOURNEY TO A CATHETERIZATION LAB AT RIH . . . . . . .

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PLANTING A TREE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 HERO OF THE HEART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 HONOURARY BENEFACTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 10 YEARS AND COUNTING - WE NEED A CATH LAB . . . . . . .

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KAMLOOPS ACCOMMODATION ASSOCIATION DONORS . . . . .

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EDUCATION ROOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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TWO NEW HEART MONITORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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OVERBED WARMERS FOR NICU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 COMPASSIONATE ROOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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PORTABLE X-RAY MACHINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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ESSENTIAL NEW COLONOSCOPY EQUIPMENT . . . . . . . . .

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THE TWO HOUR DRIVE TO SAVE MY HEART . . . . . . . . . . 23 LITHOTRIPTOR MACHINE HELPS DOCTORS . . . . . . . . . .

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ELECTROMYOGRAPHY MACHINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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PORTABLE ULTRASOUND MACHINE FOR RIH . . . . . . . . .

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THE POTENTIAL FOR MORE AT THE ICCHA / WISH CCU . . . . . . 27 PROUD MEDIA SPONSORS OF THE ICCHA/WISH FUND . . . . . . 28 ONE STEP CLOSER WITH EVERY STROKE . . . . . . . . . . .

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Our Community Giving Back MISSION: “ICCHA” MEANS “WISH”. The ICCHA/Wish Fund was established in 2007 at the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation in Kamloops.

“When someone is sick in the hospital, we wish them well but that is not good enough. WE HAVE TO DO MORE! A wish for a healthy community can come true by businesses and individuals giving something back for the benefit of all who rely on Royal Inland Hospital.”

- Al Patel, Founder “Have a heart to give, for a heart to live.”

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Congratulations to Al Patel and everyone involved with the ICCHA/Wish Fund for 12 years of hard work for our community.

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CELEBRATING 12 YEARS

BRINGING “ROYAL” SERVICE BACK TO OUR HOSPITAL

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oday, I salute everyone who believed in the ICCHA/Wish dream to “Give Back to our Community” from where we have enriched ourselves in health, wealth and happiness. Our Drive-Thru Dinner on Friday November 13th, 2020 was held at Colombo Lodge to raise $300,000 for the much needed 3D-Echocardiogram machine at Royal Inland Hospital. It was a huge success despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Time and again, our community has come together to support our missions to improve healthcare for our region and I sincerely thank you.

The Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) as we know was officially opened in 1912 by the Duke of Connaught (Queen Victoria’s seventh child). It was the first hospital to be built in the BC interior.

Back then, people were afraid of hospitals and doctors sometimes had house calls that took them hundreds of miles away, travelling by train, horse or even on foot.

The RIH has come a long way since then, but we can’t help question when did our hospital lose its “Royal” status?

For many years, we have had to watch Kelowna General Hospital expand and vital services moved there by the BC governments in power. Slowly but surely, RIH became the rest stop for critical patients, waiting for them to be transported to either Kelowna or Vancouver. We were promised a fullfledged cancer or a cardiac care centre but both were awarded to Kelowna.

This meant cancer and cardiac patients from our region had no choice but to travel to Kelowna by bus or ambulance for treatment and spend the whole day waiting for a ride home the same day!

How can we call this a “Royal” service?

However, with donations from our community, we raised over $1.4million dollars since 2007, First ICCHA/Wish established the Cancer Education Room at RIH from where cancer patients could talk to their oncologists in Kelowna or Vancouver rather than travelling the distance to discuss the outcome of their treatments.

“Have a heart to give, for a heart to live.”

In 2008, the ICCHA/Wish Fund replaced 20-year old heart monitors that were used for patients after surgery in the Post Anesthetic Recovery(PAR) room. How can we call this “Royal” treatment when technological advancements already existed in this area of care but the department had to use outdated equipment?

Kidney stones are painful enough without the added pain of Interior Health failing to provide a Lithotripter machine for our doctors to remove them. Again, the ICCHA/Wish Fund donated over $100,000 to fund the first Lithotripter equipment in the BC Interior. One begins to see the pattern that how can the doctors provide “Royal” service when our government does not provide them with proper tools and equipment?

Many voids have been filled by the ICCHA/Wish Fund to improve healthcare for patients at Royal Inland Hospital. When classified as a “tertiary” hospital, I feel we are constantly being overlooked by the powers who favor Kelowna’s development over our own “Royal” Inland Hospital.

By September 30th, 2019, with the community supporting our missions, we were successful in establishing the “ICCHA/Wish Coronary Care Unit (CCU)” at RIH. This is where four cardiac patients, after being stabilized, can be monitored 24/7 in dedicated rooms using state of the art Esprezzon Cardiac Monitoring System. They are cared for under the supervision of 7 specialized cardiologists and trained cardiac nurses.

This CCU is just the first stepping-stone towards our ultimate goal of establishing a Catheterization Lab. Without the Cath Lab, over a thousand cardiac patients per year will still be transported to Kelowna by ambulances for non invasive diagnostics and treatments. How is the added stress, inconvenience, costs and added risk of travelling during the winter, a “Royal” service to patients and the families of our communities?

“It took about one hour from start to finish for Brad’s angiogram. For an hour’s treatment, we had to spend 3 days in

Kelowna! It’s frustrating to know we have the resources, but we just don’t have the tools,” Chantelle Van Goor – wife of cardiac patient, Brad Van Goor (Kamloops).

The ICCHA/Wish Fund has been asking the government and Interior Health to approve the much needed services of a Cath Lab for our community because of our growth and aging population. This will allow cardiologists at RIH to perform accurate diagnostic services for cardiac patients that can be treated locally in Kamloops to receive the “Royal” treatment they deserve!

During the recent snapelection, candidates were asked if a catheterization lab should be included in Royal Inland Hospital’s new patient-care tower. Kamloops-South Thompson B.C. Liberal candidate Todd Stone said he supports Patel and anything to advance and improve health care in Kamloops and NDP candidate Anna Thomas said she would also support a cath lab. “If that’s what the community wants, that’s what we should action,”she said.

Yes, we are ready with the prerequisites for the Cath Lab and we must hold the government accountable for the welfare of all, not only the Interior South where Kelowna is located!

Thank you all who gave from their heart to save a heart! With your support, the flame to make a change will never die.

Al Patel

Founder of ICCHA/Wish Fund

“Have a heart to give, for a heart to live.”

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ICCHA/WISH FUND

THANK YOU TO OUR IN-KIND GALA DONORS Thank you to all of our donors and supporters for making our first ICCHA/Wish Fund Drive Thru Dinner an incredible success!

The Grocery People

Modern Family Boutique Davis Wealth Management Team Fabricland Kamloops

Riverside Small Animal Hospital Genesis Fashion & Beauty Complex WineKitz Kamloops

Lemongrass Vietnamese Restaurant

Blue Sky Clothing Co.

Long & McQuade

Mrs. Billie Nutt

See the full list of event donors at iwishfund.com

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I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone taking part in the ICCHA/Wish Fund Drive-Thru Dinner fundraiser.

Tonight, 13, as an2020 alternative to the ICCHA/Wish Fund’s traditional November

CELEBRATING 12 YEARS

galaMessage in support of cardiac carethe at the Prime Royal Inland Hospital, A from Minister

patrons will be able bring the elegant dinner and celebration home Dear Friends: with them to benefit the community. Proceeds from this year’s I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone taking part in the ICCHA/ Dearevent Friends: will go towards the purchase of a state-of-the-art 3D echocardiogram machine Wish Fund Drive-Thru Dinner fundraiser. and I would like to commend you for supporting this worthy cause.

Tonight, as an alternative to the ICCHA/Wish Fund’s traditional gala in support of

care to at the Royal Inland Hospital, patrons will beto ableeveryone bring the elegant dinner I amcardiac pleased extend my warmest greetings taking It has been a challenging year sotofar.

Thethe COVID-19 pandemic has made planning and celebration home with them benefit community.

Proceeds from this year’ s part in ICCHA/Wish Drive-Thru fundraiser. andthe hosting events like this Fund especially difficult. ThatDinner is why I would like to thank the

event will go towards the purchase of a state-of-the-art 3D echocardiogram machine dedicated for ensuring this year’s fundraiser could still take place. You can and I wouldorganizers like to commend you for supporting this worthy cause. take pride in your commitment to the health and well-being of your fellow citizens.

It hasasbeen challenging year far. ICCHA/Wish The COVID-19 pandemic has made planning Tonight, anaalternative tosothe Fund’s traditional hosting events like this especially That isInland why I would like to thank the gala and in support of best cardiac care atdifficult. the Royal Hospital, Please accept my forthis an enjoyable evening andstill for every success dedicated organizers forwishes ensuring year’ s fundraiser could take place.

You in can patrons will be able bring the elegant dinner and celebration home meeting your fundraising goal. take pride in your commitment to the health and well-being of your fellow citizens.

Please accept my bestthe wishes for an enjoyable evening and for every with them to benefit community.

Proceeds from thissuccess year’sin Sincerely, fundraising event meeting will goyour towards thegoal. purchase of a state-of-the-art 3D echocardiogram

and I would like to commend you for supporting this worthy cause.

machine

It has been a challenging year so far. The COVID-19 pandemic has made planning and hosting events like this especially difficult. That is why I would like to thank the dedicated organizers for ensuring year’s fundraiser The Rt. Hon. Justin P.J.thisTrudeau, P.C., could M.P.still take place. You can The Rt. Hon. of Justin P.J. Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister Canada take Prime prideMinister in yourofcommitment to the health and well-being of your fellow citizens.

Canada Please accept my best wishes for an enjoyable evening and for every success in A message fromgoal. the Member of parliament meeting your fundraising As the Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, I would like to extend my continued support of fundraising for the Coronary Care Unit at Royal Sincerely, Inland Hospital.

Over the last 13 years, I have observed ICCHA Wish Fund successfully fund raise for two heart monitors for the post-anesthetic recovery room, over-bed warmers for the neonatal ICU, a compassionate care room for families with loved ones in critical care, a portable X-ray machine for immobile patients, colonoscopy equipment, cardiac care equipment and more.

This year, the ICCHA Wish Fund has set the ambitious goal of a $300,000+ for state-of-the-art cardiac care equipment, which would enable accurate diagnostics at the patient’s bedside and help institute therapies promptly. This is a worthy and important fundraising project to further improve health care in Kamloops.

The Rt. Hon. Justin P.J.founder Trudeau, P.C., M.P. I have known Al Patel, of the ICCHA Wish Fund for many years. He not only has a passion for improving health care in the city, but for Kamloops itself as a Prime Minister of Canada successful local businessman.

Thank you for your consideration.

Cathy Mcleod

MP Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo “Have a heart to give, for a heart to live.”

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As a lifelong resident of Kamloops, BC, I know first-hand

OUR COMMITMENT TO

OUR COMMITMENT TO

OUR COMMITMENT TO

ELEVATING ELEVATING ELEVATING EYECARE CARE EYE EYE CARE

As a lifelong residentand of Kamloops, BC,beautiful I know first-hand how much growth change our city has gone As amuch lifelong resident of Kamloops, BC, Icity know first-hand how growth and change our beautiful gone of through in the last 30+ years. Thanks to the has dedication how much growth and change our to beautiful city has through in the last 30+ years.

Thanks the dedication of gone the ICCHA / Wish Fund and the generous contributions the ICCHA Wish Fund the generous contributions through in /the last 30+and years.

Thanks to the dedication of from the many donors in our community, we have from the many donors in our community, we have the ICCHA / Wish Fund and the generous contributions establishedthe theICCHA ICCHA / Wish Fund Coronary Care Unit at established / Wish Fund Coronary Care Unit at from the many donors in our community, we have Royal Inland Hospital (RIH).

While this is the first step in Royal Inland Hospital (RIH).

WhileFund this isCoronary the first step in Unit established the ICCHA / Wish Care at providing tertiary care for our community, we now need a providing tertiary care for our community, we now need a Royal Inland Hospital (RIH). While this is the first step in CatherizationLab Lab RIH to provide acute cardiac Catherization at at RIH to provide acute cardiac care care for for providing tertiary care for our community, we now need a theresidents residentsofofKamloops Kamloops surrounding areas. the andand surrounding areas.

Catherization Lab at RIH to provide acute cardiac care for the residents of Kamloops and acute surrounding areas.

Without suffering from cardiac issues, Withoutit,it,patients patients suffering from acute cardiac issues, including willwill have to continue to beto be includingheart heartattacks, attacks, have to continue Without it, patients suffering from acute cardiac issues, transported or or Vancouver, which is notisonly transportedtotoKelowna Kelowna Vancouver, which not an only an including heartbut attacks, willahave to continue to be inconvenience, it creates financial and emotional inconvenience, but it creates a financial and emotional burden on thetopatient and or their families. Many of the people transported Kelowna Vancouver, which is not only an burden on the patient and their families. Many of the people who seek care at but RIHithave already traveled and fromemotional smaller inconvenience, creates a financial who seek care atdeserve RIH have already traveledmore from and smaller communities. we deserve burden on theWe patient andbetter, their families.

Many of the people communities.

We deserve better, we deserve more and now the care time.at RIH have already traveled from smaller who is seek now is the time. communities. We deserve better, we deserve more and Our clinic has been a long-term supporter of the now is the time.

Our clinic has been long-term supporter of the ICCHA/Wish Fund andaits quest to bring a dedicated Catheterization Lab toand Royal Inland to Hospital.

ICCHA/Wish Fund its quest bring aOur dedicated Our clinic has a long-term supporter for of the contributions gobeen directly cardiac equipment Catheterization Lab totoRoyal Inland Hospital. the Our ICCHA/Wish FundCoronary and its quest to bring a dedicated ICCHA / Wish Fund Care Unit, bringing us contributions go directly to cardiac equipment forcloser the Catheterization Lab to Royal Inland Hospital.

Our to the goal of establishing a Catheterization We are ICCHA / Wish Fund Coronary Care Unit,Lab. bringing us closer contributions go cardiac for the proud where wedirectly live andto proud to beequipment a part of Lab. to theofgoal of establishing a Catheterization We are ICCHA / Wish Fundquest Coronary Care cardiac Unit, bringing us closer ICCHA/Wish Fund’s to enhance care in our proud of where we live and proud to be a part of community. to the goal of establishing a Catheterization Lab. We are ICCHA/Wish Fund’s quest to enhance in our - Dr. cardiac Russellcare Ebata proud of where we live and proud to a partEye of Care Optometrist atbe Ebata community.

- Dr. Russell ICCHA/Wish Fund’s quest to enhance cardiac care inEbata our Optometrist at Ebata Eye Care community.

- Dr. Russell Ebata Optometrist at Ebata Eye Care

e Province of British Columbia, I am pleased to extend my warmest eryone attending the 11th Anniversary ICCHA/Wish Fund Gala oyal Inland Hospital.

CELEBRATING 12 YEARS

A Message from the Premier

As Premier of the Province of British Columbia, I am pleased to offer my best wishes n has been raised for projects at the Fund Royalfundraising Inland Hospital thisof Royal Inland to the 12th annual ICCHA/Wish efforts insince support shed in 2007, with more than $690,000 raised last year, alone, to help Hospital. e for people in Kamloops.

This gala isvery a fantastic opportunity comeColumbia and With the current pandemic still much prevalent withinto British ebrate ICCHA/Wish Fund achievements, while also sector contributing across Canada, community support for our medical is neededto now more than ments atever. the hospital.

With the establishment of the ICCHA/WISH Coronary Care Unit at the Royal Inland Hospital, the fund is now raising $300,000 for a 3D Echocardiogram machine, is working hard improve health care services for people BC. Wetreatment to which will to allow the hospital’ s cardiologists to provide moreineffective acilities,patients like the patient-care tower at Royal Inland Hospital and in new Kamloops. building at Thompson University, andraised we have Since 2007, theRivers ICCHA/Wish Fund has overintroduced $1.4 millionnew for urgently needed and of services for Royal Inland Hospital. While our government er address the equipment health needs all British Columbians. has provided funding to support the new patient care tower, alongside further improvements at theofhospital, volunteer-based efforts such as the ICCHA/Wish Fund re afflicted by the impact heart disease and cardiovascular ailments, in supporting medical communityare to better address the health needs g effortsare of invaluable the ICCHA/Wish Fundthe and its supporters a wonderful of all British Columbians. part in helping our communities. Please accept my thanks for your Pleasefor accept my thanks for your dedication and generosity, and I wish you all the y best wishes success in meeting your fundraising goals! best in meeting your fundraising goals!

HONOURABLE JOHN HORGAN

Honourable John Horgan PREMIER OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Premier of British Columbia

A message from the Mayor

As Premier of the Province o greetings to everyone atten benefitting the Royal Inland H

Over $1.2 million has been r fund was established in 2007 boost cardiac care for people together and celebrate ICCH further improvements at the h

Our government is working h are investing in facilities, like the new nursing building at T initiatives to better address th

Supporters of ICCHA/Wish Through the persistence and passion of Al Patel and through the generous donations of ICCHA/Wish Fund donors we are part-way toward recognizing full service cardiac Too many lives are afflicted by care here at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH). As Al often reminds me “we are not getting and the inspiring efforts of th any younger” and the risks presented by poor heart health become greater as we age. way to do your part in help While diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices can, and do, play a significant role in our dedication and my best wishe risk profile; sadly many of us will need specialized cardiac care. Over time we will build on our existing cardiac care unit and guided by our skilled team of cardiologists, we will continue to add diagnostic tools and interventions.

We are about half-way through the construction of our new patient care tower slated to open in the fall of 2022. This 417 million dollar project will truly make RIH one HO of the flag ship hospitals in BC. As we migrate services and beds in to the new tower PREM we will renovate, expand, and add services to existing hospital space. Additionally, Supporters of ICCHA/WISH we want to add parking and start planning Phase 3 of our redevelopment which will replace the Alumni Tower.

Through the persistence and passio Through all of this we will continue to lobby for more extensive cardiac care that ICCHA/Wish Fund donors we are pa will truly bring services “closer to home”. Now, more than ever, your contributions to at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH). As A and the risks presented by poor he the ICCA/Wish Fund are greatly appreciated.

Ken Christian Mayor-City of Kamloops

“Have a heart to give, for a heart to live.”

exercise, and lifestyle choices can, many of us will need specialized ca care unit and guided by our skilled tools and interventions.

We are about half-way through the open in the fall of 2022. This 417 m 11 ship hospitals in BC. As we migrate expand, and add services to existin

ICCHA/WISH FUND

THE JOURNEY TO A CATHETERIZATION LAB AT RIH T he cardiac catheterization laboratory remains the destination in our heartfelt journey as it will enable cardiologists to provide definitive therapy in the form of stenting of heart attacks locally.

However, the road towards the same, requires appropriate and accurate paving so all concerned health care staff, including doctors, nurses and technical staff feel ready for providing this standard of care

locally. Because excellence is our byword.

With this guiding principle in mind, we at the ICCHA/Wish Fund firmly believe in all the little steps required to attain the ultimate goal and in the process we are paving the road to perfection.

Thus, the 3D Echocardiogram equipment that the ICCHA/ Wish Fund will provide to our cardiologists is yet another of those little steps on the way to

the hallowed final destination.

This sophisticated equipment in the cardiac care unit adds another dimension to diagnostics and will allow cardiologists to make accurate diagnoses at the bedside in critically ill patients. It will allow them to save time and institute life saving therapies promptly in patients with mechanical complications following heart attacks. Help us reach our goal and join the ICCHA/Wish Fund movement.

Parklane Pool & Spa are Proud Supporters of the ICCHA/Wish Fund.

Your home resort store Servicing Kamloops since 1984

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CELEBRATING 12 YEARS

PLANTING A TREE “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best time is today.”

– Chinese Proverb

I

moved with my family from South Africa to Kamloops in June 2009.

Looking back it was probably as soft a landing as one can wish for, but it certainly felt more like a less than elegant tuck and roll at times.

It was not easy, but for better or worse, the challenge to try and stay afloat turned out to be distracting enough that it prevented us from focusing on nothing but what laid ahead. Wikipedia refers the point of no return as the that part of a journey when turning back just becomes too dangerous, physically impossible, difficult or prohibitively expensive!

For us that point came and passed unnoticed while I was still trying to figure out the Starbucks menu and convincing some people that my accent actually does exist somewhere on the English language spectrum.

Even though it was tough, this journey has not been a battle. It has been an adventure that was made so much easier by having had the good fortune of being accepted in such as wonderful community filled with kind and generous people. This made all the hard work and long hours a privilege indeed. Along this road there has been much to celebrate.

One of the first wins I can recall was the day that Dr. Chow decided to come on board. It really changed everything to have someone to share both the challenges and the science with. Dr. Chow also became the first Cardiologist in our region with Level III training in echocardiography that certainly made a significant impact to the quality of local care.

Around 2015 the health authority agreed to a masterplan that invested “Have a heart to give, for a heart to live.”

in the development of a dedicated Cardiology service that allowed us to create a cardiology division.

Unfortunately, intent and resources only go so far and keeping this dream alive required significant sacrifices.

This includes a persistence from 4 local Chiefs of staff as well as massive contributions from two of our local physician stalwarts (Dr. Prasad and Dr. Schmidt) that somehow found some time in an already tight work schedule to help maintain and 24hour cardiology consultation and admission service at our hospital. On top of this we had the good fortune of having Dr. Nosib continuing to make the long trip from Saskatchewan to help keep the service going. This collective investment culminated in some more recruitment success with Dr. Pun, Dr. Chu, Dr. Sra and Dr. Dhesi joining is in quick succession in 2018. With the human resource finally in place we were able to staff the ICHAA/ Wish CCU as well as the Rapid Access cardiology clinic. Beyond a significant increase in access to community clinics we also become the first site in the province to pilot a program to give thrombolytic (“Clot busting”) therapy to patient suffering a heart attack prior to coming to the Emergency room.

This was a remarkable collaboration that would not have happened without the pivotal persistence, dedication and academic leadership of Dr. Dhesi.

Despite some extra ordinary growth, the journey is still far from over. Unfortunately, cardiac disease remains the main causes of death in North America. Ironically, according to statistics from the US Centre of Disease Control, the last time Heart Disease was not the front runner, was back in the 1921, at the time of the Spanish Flu. The current COVID-19 pandemic has also not spared the heart, with a significant number of

cardiac events that can be directly or indirectly attributed the virus itself as well as its impact on health care provision during these challenging times.

Going forward we need to strive to enhance quality, sustainable cardiac care to this very deserving community.

We can only do this with the ongoing efforts of every physician, nurse, technologist, administrative assistant and manager that has the honor of laboring in this rewarding field. There is a well-known Japanese business philosophy called “Kaizen”. This translates loosely to “making things better”. It refers to a continuous change. This does not always occur with big leaps, but needs to be incremental. It is my dream that all of us work together to ensure that the cardiac care we offer our patients is at least a bit better today than day before.

Finally, we will remain forever grateful to community leaders like Mr. Al Patel whose passion for this cause has inspired and challenged us all. Which brings me back to the Tree and a final message to Mr. Patel : “Al, thank you for your superhuman commitment to make things better.

We look forward to grow this Tree with you.”

Dr. Kobus Steyn Cardiology Division Lead Royal Inland Hospital

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ICCHA/WISH FUND

o r e H of the

Heart

Donated $10,000+ since 2007 • Cascades Casino

• Mrs. Eleanor Thompson • Mr. Grayden & Mrs. Sangita Flanagan SUBWAY Restaurants

Anil & Jyoti Parekh

John and Beverly Mundle

• Dr. Archie E. & Mrs. E. Jane Dempster

Aron Deo & family

Kamloops Paddlewheelers Lions Club

• Dr. Bas & Mrs. Shankaramma Gowd

Charlie & Saroj Kosmadia Denis Buckley Donald and Diana Greenwood Ed and Dianne Barker Edna Candido Edward and Clarice Ungrin Francis and Helen Barnett Holiday INN & Suites, Travelodge Aberdeen & Super8 Aberdeen

Kamloops Truck World Ltd. Loyal Order of Moose 1552 Margaret Buhler Natha Family Foundation

• Dr. Krishna Parghi

•M r. Hasmukh & Mrs. Sangita Parekh Rider’s Motor Inn

• Dr. Russell & Mrs. Amrita Ebata Ebata Eye Care Optometry

•M r. Jeff & Mrs. Tanya Isfeld Speedy Cash

• Interior Plumbing & Heating Ltd.

•M r. Jim Oakley & Mrs. Sherry Blanchard Kamloops HONDA

R.J. ‘Rollie’ and Joanne Nisbet

•K amloops Hindu Cultural Society

Rae F. Nixon

•M r. Al & Mrs. Bina Patel Scott’s INN and Restaurant

Sandie Klein Site Safety Inc.

Jacks Shuttle Service

Tara Sales

Janet Miller

The Doratti Family

Jit Singh and Gurdev Kaur Basran

Tony Zhu

John and Andrea Campbell

W.J. Vetter Contracting Ltd.

FOR A FULL LISTING OF OUR DONORS, PLEASE VISIT www.iwishfund.com

*All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of our donor listings. If an error has occurred, or if you would like to change how we recognize you, please email iwishfund@gmail.com

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE ICCHA/WISH FUND

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HONOURARY BENEFACTORS

•M r. Anil & Mrs. Jyoti Parekh Lamplighter Motel

•M r. John & Mrs. Stephanie Hampel Best Western Plus •M r. & Mrs. Sid Kandola City Furniture & Appliances Ashley Furniture Home Store

•M r. Ben & Mrs. Vivian Hildebrand

• Mrs. Rae Nixon

•M r. Bob Purohit Acadian Inn

• Mr. Roger Dhesa & Mr. Trevor Dhesa Tournament INN & Motel 6

• Mr. Bob Rishiraj Kamloops Oral Surgery & Implant Centre •M r. Brad Lincoln Capri CMW •M r. Charan Rai & Ms. Lucky Gill PHI Hotel Group

• Mr. Ron Mundi Coast Kamloops Hotel and Conference Centre • Tourism Kamloops • Valley First, a div of First West Credit Union

PROUD SPONSOR OF ICCHA WISH

CELEBRATING 12 YEARS

10 YEARS AND COUNTING...

WE NEED A CATH LAB!

I

t was September 2010 when I suffered a pericardial effusion attack. This occurs when there is a buildup of excess fluid in the sac-like structure around the heart. The main symptom is chest pain which will get worse if one breathes deeply and decrease if one leans forward.

A decade later, I still remember those critical moments. My pain was unbearable and would only subside when I leaned forward, pulling my shoulders together. I had trouble breathing. My daughter drove me to Royal Inland Hospital’s emergency department where I was met by my husband and my two sons. Surrounded by my family, the emergency physician pronounced the diagnosis.

Within an hour the fluid around my heart was drained away by a needle inserted through the chest wall and was told to remain in the hospital overnight. The next day when the pain returned, a physician who happened to be visiting the patient in the next bed realized my distress, got my chart and then told me that I would have to

be sent to Kelowna and by a Medi-Van. The fluid around my heart had returned at an alarming rate!

Immediately, my husband and son arrived at the hospital. I was strapped on to a gurney which was fastened to the wall inside the van. The doors were locked. I was driven out of Royal Inland Hospital’s parking lot and turned up onto Columbia Street as my husband and son chased directly behind the Medi-Van. This Med-Van seemed not to have shocks as I felt every bump on the highway.

Driving up Columbia Street, I could see the alarm and anguish on the faces of my husband and son. My breathing became more laboured andI was terrified. Strapped down on the gurney on my back, I could not lean forward to bring my shoulders together. The sheer terror of not being able to breath and the excruciating pain while traveling over the Coquihalla Connector to Kelowna’s hospital was traumatic.

It seemed forever to get to the Kelowna General Hospital’s emergency department.

Upon arrival a medical team was waiting and I was wheeled directly into an elevator where my husband and son also squeezed in. An anesthetist by the name of Jaxson, met us outside the elevator’s doors and wheeled me into the operating room. I could barely say good-bye to my loving husband.

The next thing I remembered was waking up in the ICU with a “garden hose” coming out of my chest and a woman dressed in blue sitting beside me. I spent ten days at the Kelowna Hospital. Every-day, my husband made the trek from Kamloops to the Kelowna hospital in order to visit me. How much easier, and less traumatic it would have been had I not had to travel over the Connector in a Medi-Van without shocks, and had been able to get the care from a cardiac unit in my own community of Kamloops.

I am grateful to the team and everyone supporting the ICCHA/Wish Fund. I smile as the “ICCHA/Wish Coronary Care Unit” established last year is moving forward to improve cardiac care for our community.

– Tricia Sellmer

Kamloops Oral Surgery & Implant Centre

WE PROUDLY SUPPORT THE

ICCHA/WISH FUND! SEE US FOR • Wisdom Teeth Extractions • Dental Implants • I.V. Sedation • Difficult Extractions • Botox • Cosmetic Fillers

Dr. Bob Rishiraj, BSc, DDs, MDent, FRCD(C) Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Suite 204 - 474 Columbia St. www.kamloopsoralsurgery.com

“Have a heart to give, for a heart to live.”

Tel: (250) 434-8350 Toll Free: 1-866-823-6324

15

ICCHA/WISH FUND

KAMLOOPS ACCOMMODATION ASSOCIATION DONORS The following Hotels donate $5 per room sold for one night during the May long weekend • Acadian Inn • Accent Inns • Alpine Motel • Best Western Plus • Budget Inn & Suites • Comfort Inn • Country View Motor Inn • Double Tree By Hilton • Econolodge Inn & Suites • Fairfield Inn & Suites • Fortune Motel • Four Points By Sheraton • Grandview Motel

• Hampton Inn • Holiday Inn & Suites • Hospitality Inn • Detached Hotels by Marriot • Howard Johnson • Kings Motor Inn • Lamplighter Motel • Pacific Host Inn & Suites • Panorama Inn • Parkview Inn and Suites • Plaza Heritage Hotel • Quality Inn • Ramada Inn

• Rider’s Motor Inn • Riverland Inn & Suites • Sandman Inn & Suites • Sandman Signature • Scott’s Inn & Restaurant • South Thompson Inn • Star Lodge Sahali • Super 8 Valleyview • The Thompson Hotel • Tournament Inn • Trans Canada Motel • Travelodge Mountview • Wingate by Wyndham

The Gill Family are proud to support the

ICCHA/Wish Fund

Our Sugar & Spice family strives to be the best team of beauty professionals we can be.

We are committed to continued education, industry advancement and delivering the highest quality treatments and products to our valued guests. With superior customer service and our uplifting atmosphere, we guarantee you'll enjoy your time with us.

THE TEAM AT SUGAR & SPICE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT THE 2020 ICCHA/WISH FOUNDATION INITIATIVE

176 Comazzetto Road Kamloops, BC V2C 6L6 Ph: 250.374.7222 TF: 1.800.213.6673 countryviewmotorinn.com

16

1775 E. Trans Canada Hwy. Kamloops, BC V2C 3Z6 Ph: 250.372.2800 TF: 1.800.661.6630 kingsmotorinn.ca

www.sugarandspicebeautybar.com info@sugarandspicebeautybar.com 250-851-1719 • 433 Lansdowne St. Kamloops bc

CELEBRATING 11 YEARS

EDUCATION ROOM

RIH Cancer Clinic by the ICCHA/Wish Fund

T

he education room at the Kamloops Cancer Clinic continues to be a major benefit for patients, family members and staff since its construction over a decade ago.

Offering a bright spacious area for learning opportunities, group teaching for new patients, staff education on new medications and procedures and connecting with oncology resources through telehealth, the education room has been a valuable tool in the care of cancer patients at RIH. It is also a place where physicians can meet with patients and families for confidential discussions on their oncology care.

We are extremely grateful to the ICCHA/Wish Fund for providing such an accommodating space in our clinic.

DR. STEVEN SRA

Dr. Steven Sra grew up in the South Okanagan and obtained his medical degree from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver BC. He completed residency training in Internal Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan and Adult Cardiology at the University of Toronto.

He has completed sub-specialty fellowship training in Cardiac Imaging at the University of Toronto. He has been a full time Cardiologist at Royal Inland Hospital since 2017.

LET’S GET THIS DONE! This is our HOSPITAL This is our COMMUNITY

Kamloops “Have a heart to give, for a heart to live.”

17

ICCHA/WISH FUND

TWO NEW HEART MONITORS

Donated by the ICCHA/Wish Fund

E

DR. SHAWN PUN Dr. Shawn Pun was born and raised in the Lower Mainland. He obtained his MD from the University of British Columbia and completed his Cardiology training at McGill University. He subsequently pursued further fellowship training in Cardio-Oncology and cardiac imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York.

He worked in Boston Massachusetts prior to returning to Canada. He has interests in general cardiology, cardiac imaging and Cardio-Oncology.

very patient in the post anesthetic recovery has their cardiac and respiratory status monitored closely following surgery as there is a potential for change. Both children and the elderly are included in this monitoring.

These monitors are an essential part of excellent post-operative care for patients and continue to provide essential data required to closely monitor patient’s condition post operatively and we could not do our work without them.

Dr. Bas Gowd, Anil Parekh, Al Patel (Founder ICCHA/Wish Fund), Donna Martin (Program Leader PAR), Bob Purohit, Hasmukh Parekh

PROUD SPONSOR

U-District Liquor Store 105-795 MCGILL RD 778-471-5712

18

CELEBRATING 12 YEARS

OVERBED WARMERS FOR NICU

A

pproximately 1,200 newborns are delivered at RIH every year.

Families can rest assured that the care and support they might need for a premature or ill newborn is always available from the caring staff in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The highly-trained NICU staff care for babies as young as 30 weeks (born 10 weeks before their due date).

Premature babies sometimes require very close monitoring with specialized equipment. The overhead warmers purchased

by ICCHA/Wish have been used extensively for neonates in both the NICU and in the labour and delivery setting.

They allow us to preserve

warmth while being able to carefully assess, observe and, when necessary, treat newborns who may present with a medical complication.

This is essential for neonates who can not easily maintain a normal temperature and, when cold, can incur more medical distress or complicate what is already going on. They are the first stop certainly for a newborn who isn’t transitioning in a healthy state from birth and also is a stop for nearly all newborns to have a thorough initial exam after skin-toskin contact with mom. We wholeheartedly appreciate the gift of these warmers for our tiniest population!

Thank you from the NICU!

Proud Supporter of the

ICCHA/Wish

Proud Supporter of the

ICCHA/Wish Fund

FOUNDATION bettercallchahal.com

1390 Hillside Dr | 778-471-3233 reception@bettercallchahal.com

Proud to be a Bronze Sponsor

www.kamicountertops.ca

250-374-2253 #104 925 Laval Crescent, Kamloops, BC V2C 5P4

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Sat 9:00am - 12:00pm Closed Sunday

“Have a heart to give, for a heart to live.”

www.danscollisioncentre.ca 1335 Dalhousie Drive | 250-374-2523

Bronze Sponsor of the ICCHA/Wish Fund Congratulations on your 12 year anniversary 555 Columbia St W, Kamloops, BC V2C 1K7 P: 250-374-0358 | ramadakamloops.com 19

ICCHA/WISH FUND

DR. SUMANDEEP DHESI Dr. Sumandeep Dhesi obtained her medial degree from the University of British Columbia. She then completed Internal Medicine and Cardiology training at the University of Alberta. She subsequently completed an advanced echocardiography Fellowship at Mayo Clinic, Rochester.

In 2017, she started working at Royal Inland Hospital as a General Cardiologist. She is the physician lead for the Collaborative Heart Attack Management Program (CHAMP) which has brought life-saving heart attack therapies into the prehospital environment. Outside of acute coronary syndromes, her interests include valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and advanced echocardiographic imaging.

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COMPASSIONATE ROOM For families with loved ones in critical care

T

he ICU compassionate room is one that is incredibly important. It is really the only private space away from their loved ones room to give them space to connect, reflect and process what is happening to the people they care about.

It gives families a private space to connect, grieve & discuss potential plans for the care of their loved ones.

All the furniture in the ICU waiting room and Compassionate Room was upgraded by the ICCHA/Wish Fund.

CELEBRATING 12 YEARS

PORTABLE X-RAY MACHINE Crucial for immobile patients at RIH

T

he Medical Imaging department has been so thankful for their new Siemens portable x-ray machine Donated by the ICCHA/Wish Fund. Since May of 2018 they have performed over 1,000 portable x-rays with this machine allowing very sick patients to remain in their beds while they perform the x-ray. This machine is used for imaging patients in the Intensive Care Unit, Emergency department and on the wards from the very young to the very old.

The next step to make full use of the capabilities of this unit is to locate funding to purchase a digital imaging plate.

This digital plate will automatically send the x-ray image to the hospital computer system immediately after the image is taken so that the physicians can access it within seconds.

PROUD BRONZE SPONSOR 600-175 Second Avenue Kamloops, BC, V2C 5W1 Phone: 250-372-1221 • Toll-Free: 1-800-558-1933 • Fax: 250-372-8339 E-mail: info@zakanddeckerlaw.com

WATSON & HAINES

Barristers & Solicitors - Notary Public Proud Bronze Sponsor ICCHA/Wish Fund #103 - 206 Seymour Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 2E5 Ph: 250-372-8803; Fax: 250-372-8004 Email: contact@watsonhaines.ca

Bronze Sponsor 3700 32nd Street Vernon, BC 250-545-0501

Mr. Pravin & Mrs. Gita Patel

Proud Sponsor of the ICCHA/Wish Fund www.silverstarmotel.com “Have a heart to give, for a heart to live.”

735 LAVAL CRESCENT, Kamloops BC kamloops@windsorplywood.com PH: 250.372.7797 • TOLL FREE: 1.800.656.6693 WWW.WINDSORPLYWOOD.COM/KAMLOOPS

21

ICCHA/WISH FUND

ICCHA/Wish provides

ESSENTIAL NEW COLONOSCOPY EQUIPMENT

D

id you know that colorectal cancer is the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer and cause of death? But the good news is, it is easily detectable thanks to ICCHA/Wish Fund donors who purchased a colonoscope for the ACU (Ambulatory Care Unit), and when found early, it is highly treatable.

Every year at RIH, thousands of patients are seen through the endoscopy procedural area and this equipment aids in the monitoring, diagnosis and

follow-up care of a patient with bowel disease. Physicians can take samples with the scope and mark exact areas of cancer which can ultimately lead to less invasive surgery for the patient. The colonoscope is also used for patients suffering from conditions such as Crohn’s Disease and Colitis.

These types of scopes are also used as part of the BC colon cancer-screening program, which aids in detection and/or intermittent screening for bowel cancer.

From all of us at NuLeaf Produce Market

WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT ICCHA/Wish CCU

Proud Sponsor of ICCHA/Wish Fund

Kamloops • New Westminster • Prince George

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2011, 2012, 2014 2015, 2016, 2017

2018

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WWW.SPICEKAMLOOPS.COM

CELEBRATING 12 YEARS

THE TWO HOUR DRIVE TO SAVE MY HEART

W

eeks prior to my heart attack I had been suffering from constant indigestion and extreme fatigue. On April 8th, 2017 the shoulder and jaw pain should have alerted me that I was about to have a heart attack. My heart attack occurred in the early hours of that morning. I was in complete denial and tried to relax on the recliner in our living room. That morning soon after breakfast I asked my husband to drop me off at the Emergency Department at RIH. An ECG and blood test subsequently confirmed that I had sustained a heart attack.

Later that evening I was moved from the Emergency Department to Floor 7 at RIH where I was monitored constantly. Four days later I was transported by ambulance to have an Angiogram done at KGH. I was quite nervous during the 2 hour ride from RIH to KGH and was surprised that RIH was not equipped to perform

this procedure. Upon my return by ambulance to RIH (2 hrs after the angiogram) I was told that I had 100%, 90%, 70% and 50% blockages and that a quadruple bypass surgery was scheduled for me on April 18th , 2017 at KGH. I remained at RIH until April 14th, 2017 and when a room became available at KGH I was transported by ambulance to Vernon where I was moved to another ambulance before arriving at KGH. Thankfully my open heart surgery was completely successful and I am extremely grateful for the excellent care I received at both RIH and KGH. I am hopeful that a Cath Lab will be built at RIH in the very near future.

Heart patients should not be put under the stress of a 2 hour ambulance ride to have an Angiogram performed.

- Brenda Rezansoff

Thank you everyone at

Iccha-Wish fund for your relentless passion and support for the benefit of our community and the Royal Inland Hospital.

PROUD GOLD SPONSOR 1271 Salish Rd., Kamloops, BC, V2H 1P6 250-374-6942 lyonslandscaping.com “Have a heart to give, for a heart to live.�

23

ICCHA/WISH FUND

LITHOTRIPTOR MACHINE HELPS DOCTOR REMOVE KIDNEY STONES EFFICIENTLY

T DR. KAREN CHU Dr. Karen Chu obtained her MD and internal medicine training from the University of British Columbia and her cardiology training from the University of Manitoba. She has worked at Royal Inland Hospital since 2017. Her field of interest is heart rhythm abnormalities and prevention of heart disease.

he lithotripsy equipment purchased by ICCHA/Wish to perform “percutaneous nephrolithotomy” surgery has allowed more patients to be treated in Kamloops instead of traveling to Vancouver.

These surgeries require an overnight stay in hospital, which puts a strain on families when patients had to travel to Vancouver.

We now perform almost all these surgeries in Kamloops. This surgery is ideal for patients with large kidney stones measuring two centimeters or greater in size. The equipment provided allows us to

dilate a pathway directly from the skin into the kidney where the kidney stones can be fragmented.

The subsequent fragments can then be removed with a probe that works similar to a vacuum (removing the fragments with suction).

Over the past three years, the number of cases being performed in Kamloops is steadily rising I anticipate we will be performing 15 to 20 cases per year moving forward. The equipment has been working great -and we look forward to making good use of it for many years to come.

- Dr. Steve Faddegon

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Proud Donors and Co-Founder of the ICCHA / Wish Fund - Jyoti and Anil Parekh

24

ELECTROMYOGRAPHY MACHINE

CELEBRATING 11 YEARS

Donated by the ICCHA/Wish Fund Helps with pain and weakness

T

he evaluation of patients with neurologic disease and injury is a common need. There are so many important diseases to recognize, treat and manage such as Guillain Barre Disease, Amphotropic Lateral Sclerosis, and Peripheral Neuropathy. As a Level 2 Trauma Centre Royal Inland Hospital must also be prepared to evaluate patient who have suffered nerve injuries in the arms and legs – the brachia plexus and lumbar plexus. The donated electromyography (EMG) equipment is heavily used by the Neurophysiology lab to support the hospital in the diagnosis and management of these patients.

DR. SHRAVAN NOSIB Dr. Shravan Nosib obtained his MD from Benares Hindu University, India in Feb 1991.Therafter he trained as a British council fellow at the University of Glasgow, Uk. He has furthered his training in internal medicine and cardiology at the University of Saskatchewan and has subspecialty training in lnterventional cardiology at the University of Montreal. He works at the Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon since 2009 and is a locum consultant at the RIH since 2013. His field of interest is coronary artery stenting and valvular interventions.

PROUD SUPPORTER

PROUD SPONSOR

“Have a heart to give, for a heart to live.”

25

ICCHA/WISH FUND

PORTABLE ULTRASOUND MACHINE FOR RIH DR. STEPHEN CHOW Dr. Chow joined the Department of Medicine at Royal Inland hospital working as both an Internist and Cardiologist until the formal development of the Cardiology program. Dr. Chow believes in creating and maintaining a healthy balance in life. In his leisure time he can be found mountain biking and fishing at one of the many biking trails and lakes the West Coast has to offer.

I

CCHA/Wish raised funds for a portable ultrasound to be used for a number of antenatal (during pregnancy) procedures and for educational purposes. This ultrasound will both free up diagnostic imagining resources at RIH and help to further develop professional development opportunities in Kamloops – critical in the education of UBC students and residents, and in helping with physician recruitment. We are grateful to all of the ICCHA/Wish Fund supporters who are making such a positive impact at our hospital.

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ICCHA/Wish Fund for 12 years!

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ÂŽRIH Foundation

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Your Local Foodservice Supplier for Over 30 Years!

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CELEBRATING 12 YEARS

THE POTENTIAL FOR MORE AT THE ICCHA/WISH CCU

O

n Sunday October 11, 2020 at about 8:30 in the morning, I woke up after a solid 8 hours of sleep, got out of bed and started to walk toward the kitchen. Almost immediately I noticed a pressure in my chest that I hadn’t experienced before. I stopped and tried to work it out, twisting and turning, bending backwards and thinking that I had put something out of place in my back while working out in the gym the day before. Nothing I did affected what I was feeling. As I continued to move around, I noticed that the muscles up the sides of my neck were sore, and that the pain was travelling into my jaw line. I knew something was very wrong, and deep down I knew what it was, but I didn’t want to admit it immediately. How the heck could I be having a heart attack? I’m only 57 years old, I workout at least 5 days a week, I eat right, I don’t smoke, it didn’t make sense. After several minutes I told my wife, Roxanna, that something was wrong and fairly quickly we decided that I needed to get to the hospital.

We drove to Royal Inland Hospital where due to Covid restrictions, I was the only one allowed to enter. After a quick check in process I was escorted to a treatment bed where, in very short order I found myself being attended to by a very well coordinated team of people who, although moving with a sense of urgent purpose, were very calm, reassuring and professional. I remember asking what was going on and being told “oh, you’re having a heart attack”. Thanks to their quick action I was stabilized quickly and soon moved to the ICCHA/Wish Cardiac Care Unit. From the moment I got there I felt that I was in a good place. I have nothing but positive things to say about all of the staff in that unit. Later that day I was told that I was going to be sent to the Kelowna “Have a heart to give, for a heart to live.”

Hospital Cath Lab for an angiogram and likely at least one stent. However, I was told that I would have to wait until Tuesday as Monday was a stat holiday. I was also told that, although I needed to go, there is never a guarantee that I would to be able to go on Tuesday as it would depend on the availability of the Paramedic service to supply an ambulance and crew to transport me there, and if there were more pressing cases in Kelowna, that I might get bumped a day or two.

On Tuesday morning I was told that I was scheduled to go to Kelowna but they were unable to give an exact time as it would depend on when an ambulance in Kamloops was free to go. A few hours later the paramedics arrived to transport me to Kelowna.

The paramedics told me that the plan was to take me to Vernon Hospital and that a crew from that area would take me the rest of the way to Kelowna as Kamloops was short on ambulance crews that day. I will say that I am a retired police officer and, after years they of working around paramedics, I know that they are a very caring and professional bunch, and they are very concerned about leaving their areas /cities without enough coverage. Unfortunately, when we arrived in Vernon, we learned that the paramedics that were supposed to be meeting us had come across an accident on the highway and were not available. So, as a result, my Kamloops paramedics were going to have to take me to Kelowna, leaving Kamloops short an ambulance.

We arrived in Kelowna and were met by an extremely enthusiastic group of professionals in the Cath Lab. I can say that the way they did their jobs took away any stress that I had been experiencing leading up to that point. Strangely enough, they made the experience actually enjoyable. I have no idea how that is possible but

I think that speaks volumes for them.

The procedure was quick, painless and reassuring to me because immediately the team identified that I had a single artery blocked, which they put a stent in to rectify, but additionally they were able to tell me right away that the rest of my heart was clear and that it was operating normally.

When it was time to be transported back to Kamloops, I was surprised to see the original paramedic crew return to get me. Once again, they were the only ambulance available, which made me think that the city was again running short of paramedics so that I could be transported back. The next day, after a consultation with Dr. Chu, I was released from hospital to recover at home.

When people ask me how I feel about my experience, I have a tendency to ramble on. I tell them to always take any symptoms they experience seriously, and to get to the hospital as soon as possible. That there is no better place to have a heart attack than in the hospital and, worst case scenario, you’re wrong and you’re fine.

I tell them to buy 2 bottles of baby Aspirin, to put one in their car and one in the house and to tell everyone in their families where they are. I tell them that the care I got at Royal Inland Hospital and at the Kelowna Cath Lab was amazing and that we are lucky to have the services that we have. Finally I tell them that we need a Cath Lab at Royal Inland Hospital to increase the availability of procedures for both treatment and the diagnosis of cardiac conditions, to help reduce patient stress, as well as to alleviate the additional burden placed on the paramedic service, the hospital teams (such as the HART team) that often has to accompany patients.

Thanks to everyone who helped me out!

- Mike Dewar 27

ICCHA/WISH FUND

Proud Sponsor of ICCHA/Wish Fund

PROUD MEDIA SPONSORS OF THE ICCHA/WISH FUND

1461 River St. | Kamloops, BC V2C 1Z1 P 250-374-1948 | F 250-374-2440

“WE MAKE IT HAPPEN!” SINCE 1979 198 West Victoria Street • 250-374-3848

Open Monday to Saturday & holidays 9am - 6pm & Sunday 12 - 5 pm

Proud Sponsors of the ICCHA/Wish Fund

250-377-3818

198 West Victoria Street (Next To Stereo Warehouse) Kamloops, BC

Proud Supporter of the

ICCHA Wish Fund art he ive A og t

Ah to Leart ive

“Proud Sponsor”

Serving Kamloops and the surrounding areas #111-1339 McGill Rd. Kamloops, BC V2C 6K7 P | 250-851-8850 • F | 250-851-8856

Proudly Supporting the ICCHA/Wish Fund for 11 years

Why go anywhere else?

®

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4 - 1413 MCGILL ROAD, K AMLOOPS, BC V2C 6K7 T. 250.372.1055 | TF. 877.372.1055 | noranprinting.ca Kebal & Amarjit Dhesa - Trevor Dhesa Roger Dhesa

28

Tournament Inn

1893 East TCH Kamloops, BC (250) 372-2122

MOTEL 6

1763 East TCH Kamloops, BC (250) 374-8944

CELEBRATING 12 YEARS

ONE STEP CLOSER WITH EVERY STROKE I t started as a pain in my chest. Sharp stabbing pain anytime I did cardio. I had this pressure in my chest that would not go away. I decided to go to see my family physician. Anything to do with my heart was the furthest thing from my mind. I was only 35 at the time.

One chest X-ray led to copious amounts of scans, a whole lot of waiting, an airlift to Vancouver General Hospital, and a 6hour open-heart surgery.

The cause of the stabbing chest pain. An Ascending Aortic Aneurysm. Sitting at just under 5cm, if it had ruptured, I surely would have died.

Now there is usually a root cause to an Aortic Aneurysm, mine, a bicuspid aortic valve. 2% of the population has this defect. Of the 2% are born with it.

A select few their tricuspid valve decides to fuse as they grow. Most do not get diagnosed until their late 30 to 40s.

Let me relate my experience to you.

First off, my care at Vancouver General was astounding. The physicians and nurses are above and beyond. So now that is out there.

Imagine 3 weeks away from your young family. In a room by yourself. On complete bed rest. Waiting for surgery. Your husband, who must take care of your family, work, and come down where he can. Your friends and family are put under strain as they take on all these new roles and still try and manage their regular lives.

I was fortunate to have friends and family come where they could, but what about others.

There was still a lot of time just sitting there by yourself, it’s sad, it’s depressing and it’s lonely.

Now my surgery fixed my Ascending Aortic Aneurysm, but my valve still has a few good years in it.

Which means I have more tests, more scans, and another surgery in my future.

Kamloops is in no way a small town, not to mention all the surrounding areas that rely on us for their medical care. The amount of people we send out of our community for cardiac care is negligent. We have people

right here in our community suffering physically but emotionally and mentally as well. Physical wounds can heal. Let me tell you, the trauma we suffer internally that takes a long time.

My dream is to see the Cath Lab come to fruition. We need to be able to do our coronary interventions and stent placements with heart attack patients in Kamloops at RIH. Part of that is, having state-of-the-art technology to do it. We need this 3D Echo Cardiogram. It’s going to give us the ability to accurately diagnose and initiate appropriate therapies at the patient’s bedside.

Join me at our Row for the Heart fundraiser to help enhance cardiac care at RIH. – Tara Sales

Save the date February 20th, 2021

ROW FOR THE HEART Presented by Orangetheory Fitness Kamloops For event details visit www.iwishfund.com

“Have a heart to give, for a heart to live.”

29

Thank You

We wish to thank ICCHA/Wish Fund for their amazing work and raising awareness and support for a CCU in 2019 and past campaigns that have made such a difference in lives of fellow Kamloopsians.

Keep up the good work!

Owners John and Stephanie Hampel and employees of the Best Western Plus Kamloops

660 Columbia Street West, Kamloops, BC V2C 1L1 • (250) 374-7878

Proud Gold sponsor of the Iccha/Wish fund

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2020/2021 GOAL: to raise $300,000 for 3D-Echocardiogram equipment for the new ICCHA/WISH Coronary Care Unit at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, BC

2020/2021 GOAL: to raise $300,000 for 3D-Echocardiogram equipment for the new ICCHA/WISH Coronary Unit at Draw Date: February 12,Care 2021 Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, BC For raffle tickets, visit www.iwishfund.com

Draw Date: February 12, 2021

For raffle tickets, visit www.iwishfund.com

"Have a Heart to Give..For a Heart to Live."

Chances are 1 in 63,000 (total tickets for sale) to win the 50/50 prize.

Know your limit, play within it

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"Have a Heart to Give..For a Heart to Live."