www.GiveToUHF.ca
In This Issue:
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Leaders in Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment • Every Penny Counts! •
Connecting Your Generosity
SUMMER NEWSLETTER EDITION 3
First Patient Treated, First Life Saved
Educating Alberta: Kidney Disease • Save the Date: UHF Open House •
YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION, THANK YOU! At the University Hospital Foundation, our promise is to connect your generosity to change and save lives. I’m inspired every time I walk through the halls of the University of Alberta Hospital, the Kaye Edmonton Clinic and the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, and see the impact of your support.
Life in Alberta is better because of you. Your contributions to the University Hospital Foundation bring innovation to life. Your support helps advance excellence in patient care, education and research, Joyce Mallman Law every day. If you or someone you love is ever in need of urgent care, you can be proud to know that your support has provided some of the latest tools and technologies available today, giving our patients the best chance of recovery.
Connecting Your Generosity
So many key pieces of equipment have been funded because of your generosity. It’s only with your support that we can continue to be a leader not only in Edmonton, but in Canada. Some of the technology that we have available right
here is offered at few other hospitals in the country. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read through the inspiring stories in this newsletter. It’s a newsletter created specifically for you; that’s why we call it “Connecting Your Generosity.” To learn more about the University Hospital Foundation, and to read our detailed financial statements, please visit: www.GivetoUHF.ca Thank you for your commitment, your support, and all you do to help advance health care for all Albertans.
Joyce Mallman Law, President University Hospital Foundation
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FIRST PATIENT TREATED, FIRST LIFE SAVED It is thanks to the generous support of donors that the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute opened its doors to patients 5 years ago, this July. With a world-class team of cardiologists, surgeons, and other allied healthcare professionals, the Maz is at the forefront of emerging treatments and innovative approaches that help change and save lives.
In the five years since the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute opened its doors to patients, more than 175,000 people have received world-class cardiac care. Judy Dibbelt was the first patient to be admitted to the Maz. And Judy was also the first patient to receive a heart transplant in the new heart institute. Her lifelong struggle with heart problems was taking its toll. Daily tasks – vacuuming, showering, even eating – had become major challenges.
Shortly after being admitted to the heart institute, Judy received life-saving news. She would receive a heart transplant. And within weeks of her transplant Judy’s quality of life was already improving. Today she is healthier than she’s ever been. And this is just one story of thousands. As we mark this fifth anniversary, we celebrate the Maz’s reputation as an international leader in complex cardiac care, and one of the busiest heart transplant centres in Canada. Every day, the talented healthcare team at the Maz care for patients from across the prairies, northern Canada and north eastern British Columbia. Through your support, you are a partner in that care.
Judy Dibbelt PAGE 2
Connecting Your Generosity
STROKE – WHY WE ARE THE LEADERS IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
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The greatest danger to the patient is in the first 48 hours – time is tissue. With telestroke technology, I can make an initial diagnosis via videoconference. I can instruct the staff at one of our partnering hospitals across the province to get a head scan to determine if it was a stroke; what kind of stroke; and the treatment needed. The ideal is that patients get the treatment they need in
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their own community, right away. Dr. Tom Jeerakathil
Dr. Tom Jeerakathil is a neurologist at the University of Alberta Hospital and the Northern Stroke Lead for the Cardiovascular and Stroke Clinical Network in Alberta. The Telestroke program allows stroke specialists to provide instant consultation for patients at remote hospitals who may have suffered from a stroke.
Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability in adults, and the third leading cause of death in North America. But you can help change this. Your support of the University Hospital Foundation will help purchase the new equipment needed to diagnose and treat stroke patients more quickly, maximizing their chances for a successful outcome.
Did you know that 1 in 3 Canadians will be affected by a neurological disease, injury or disorder in their lifetime? The University of Alberta Hospital is proud to be a leader in the treatment of stroke and other life-threatening brain conditions. Your support of the UHF’s $35 million Brain Centre Campaign will ensure experts at this site can continue to provide the best possible care to patients across the province.
EVERY PENNY COUNTS! When Taylor Laschuk was just 11 years old, she raised $5,000, in pennies, to support the Firefighters Burn Treatment Unit at the University of Alberta Hospital. All 21 classes in Taylor’s school donated their pennies when she shared the story of her grandfather’s injury and the treatment he was receiving in the Burn Unit. Initially, doctors didn’t think Taylor’s grandfather would survive, but thanks to the care he received he was able to return home after only a few months. Inspired by the staff who looked after her grandfather, Taylor is considering becoming a nurse when she grows up. Pictured: Taylor Laschuk. Photo Credit: Edmonton Journal/Ed Kaiser Connecting Your Generosity
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EDUCATING ALBERTA: KIDNEY DISEASE Kidney disease is a silent killer. 1 in 3 people who have the disease don’t even realize it. And when they do, it’s often too late for any treatment besides dialysis or transplant. Kathy Tachynski
We all know how destructive heart disease and diabetes can be. What you might not know is that kidney disease can be just as devastating. Kathy Tachynski has been touched personally by kidney disease, and since 2008, she’s been a Patient Care Manager with the Northern Alberta Renal Program (NARP) at the University of Alberta Hospital. When there is a problem with a patient’s renal function, the NARP team works
on a complete care plan. Many of their patients require dialysis at least three times a week to survive. The need for dialysis machines is greater than ever before. Your gift today will directly benefit people who are living with kidney disease. You’ll provide them with a chance to extend their life and spend more time with their loved ones.
SAVE THE DATE: UHF EXCLUSIVE DONOR OPEN HOUSE Are you interested in learning more about how your generosity helps to change and save lives? Our exclusive open house at the University of Alberta Hospital on September 10 will provide you with an inside look at some of the areas of care that you’ve helped support and give you the chance to speak directly with frontline medical staff.
University Hospital Foundation Donor Centre, 1H1.91 WMC 8440-112 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2B7 Phone: 780.407.7007 Fax: 780.407.6603 Email: uhfoundation@albertahealthservices.ca www.GiveToUHF.ca
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Connecting Your Generosity