Strong community support from across southwest Saskatchewan helped make the 2020 Pharmasave Radiothon for Healthcare a success and to achieve the Dr Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation’s goal of raising $150,000. The two-day event took place in the clubhouse of Elmwood Golf Club, Oct. 29-30. The final amount raised at the end of the second day was $150,800. “It proved today that people care” Foundation Executive Director Jim Dekowny said. “People really want to give and they believe in what we’re doing at the Foundation, and it’s been a great day” In a fitting conclusion to the event, the final cheque presentation was made by the Cypress Regional Medical Association. The donation of $15,000 helped the Radiothon to move past the fundraising target. “All the doctors that look after everybody in the southwest decided to pool their money, not knowing that we’re going to be at $135,000” he said. “They give $15,000 and take us right to the end to finish it off. It’s a Hollywood, you know that I mean. It was a pretty cool two days. The resident of the southwest should be so happy and proud of what they’ve done these last two days.” The final cheque presentation was made by the Cypress Regional Medical Association president, Dr. Clare Kozroski and treasurer, Dr. Kobus Steenkamp. “We are so happy to help our patients individually, but it’s really a privilege for us as a group to also help the hospital, the surgeons and the whole area in terms of updating to some really needed equipment,” Dr. Kozroski said afterwards. Dr. Steenkamp noted that donation is made from the financial contributions of physicians toward their regional medical association. “As physicians, we each contribute on a monthly basis to our medical association,” he said. “We use the money for events, and if there’s money in surplus, we like to donate that to a worthy cause, and this is one of them. Radiothon is one way of doctors giving back to the regional healthcare foundation.” The funds raised through the Radiothon will be used to purchase a 4K ultra high definition laparoscopic surgical tower at the Cypress Regional Hospital. “That equipment brings Cypress Regional Hospital and therefore our region up to the standard that our residents deserve,” Dr. Kozroski said. “The high definition really makes a difference. You could imagine what maybe your cell phone photo might have looked like 15 years ago compared to what you can see now. The same on your computer screen or tablet. So if a physician only has 2D resolution, he’s going to be much happier with 4K high resolution.” The two surgical theaters at the Cypress Regional Hospital perform approximately 2,100 surgeries annually, including 900 cataract and 1,200 other lifesaving procedures. Surgeons currently use laparoscopic surgery towers in a 2D format that were originally purchased in 2009. A new laparoscopic surgery tower using 4K technology will provide surgeons with the latest technology during surgical procedures. “The surgery is much more accurate,” Dr. Steenkamp explained. “So the outcome for the patient is much better and because it’s done laparoscopically, it reduces recovery time and it […]
