Hospital foundation reaches 46 per cent of goal for eye surgery microscope
Posted Nov 26, 2009 By EMC News
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EMC News - The Brockville and District Hospital Foundation has now raised $61,890 toward a new eye surgery microscope for Brockville General Hospital, reaching 46 per cent of the $135,000 goal only two weeks into the annual appeal. 
Submitted photo by Christine Endicott
Ruth Jones, left, and Shirley Jones of the Brockville General Hospital Nurses Alumnae Association present a cheque for $5,000 to the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation for the Annual Appeal. Dr. Sam Stevens and fundraising chair Doris Hallett, right, thanked the association for the donation.
"We are extremely grateful for the response from the community," remarked foundation executive director Joan McLaughlin.
The updated total, released Monday, Nov. 23, includes a new $5,000 donation by the Brockville General Hospital Nurses Alumnae Association.
Alumnae association president Shirley Jones said many association members have needed or will need cataract surgery, so they have a personal interest in making this donation. She herself has had cataract surgery.
"We are thrilled to be able to help," she said.
McLaughlin was equally thrilled to receive the donation.
"This is another generous donation by a group of people who want to help provide quality health care for the community," she said.
Ophthalmologist Dr. Sam Stevens, who together with Dr. Ardis Lindsay, performs more than 1,300 cataract surgeries per year at BGH, said the new microscope will allow the surgeons to visualize the eye with more definition and contrast, similar to the way the new high-definition televisions provide a clearer picture.
"A large percentage of the population needs cataract surgery," Dr. Stevens noted. "Now that techniques are much better and the results are so good, more people go ahead with cataract surgery. Their vision is back within a half-hour of the procedure, and there is no patch. They walk out of the hospital and can see right away."
Dr. Lindsay said that while the current microscope is safe, the new one will allow for better visualization of the eye during surgery.
Both doctors are pleased with the success of the campaign to date.
"It's great to see the community really getting behind it," Dr. Stevens remarked.
To give to the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation Annual Appeal, please call 613-345-4478, e-mail foundation@bgh-on.ca or mail your gift to: Brockville and District Hospital Foundation, 75 Charles St., Brockville, ON K6V 1S8.
