Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary Branch dug deep into their pockets and raised $500 towards the purchase of a new colonoscope for the Kitimat General Hospital (KGH) endoscopy suite.
A cheque was handed to the Kitimat General Hospital Foundation (KGHF) by Auxillary Branch president Gloria Dielschneider.
Along with personal donations and the First KGHF Annual Benefit Dinner and Auction, money raised to date totals $11,256, leaving a balance of $30,744 to raise to purchase the colonoscope.
Foundation co-ordinator Martha Flores said endoscopies are important to the gastro-intestinal health of patients, including prevention, surveillance, diagnostics and treatment to certain conditions, including cancer.
“The KGH currently has two colonoscopes, but the very rigorous and strict cleaning process of each scope after a colonoscopy makes the endoscopy suite less efficient and leads to a waiting time in between cases of patients that need the procedure,” said Flores.
”Having a third colonoscope will reduce the waiting time and will increase efficiency in the endoscopy suite.”
She said without the generosity of community groups like the Auxiliary Branch the Foundation’s fundraising efforts would be much more difficult.