The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the North Bay Regional Health Centre is benefiting from a donation from the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.

$35,000 is going towards purchasing equipment used to care for critically ill and pre-mature infants.

Specifically, the donation will purchase an isolette ($28,000) and a feeding pump ($8,500).

The Sandra Schmirler Foundation funds life-saving equipment for babies born too soon, too small or too sick to allow them to return home shortly after birth.

“Controlling heat, humidity and oxygen is important to the recovery and development of our tiny neonates. Isolettes provide an incubator and microenvironment ideal for their development,” stated Joanne Laplante, Director, Surgery, Women & Children. Made of clear plastic, with a large door and portholes for easy access to the infant, isolettes minimize heat and oxygen loss, ensuring the optimal environment while monitoring the infant’s temperature. Due to high demand, two isolettes are needed for the NICU.

“Enteral feeding pumps are a nutritional delivery system, ensuring appropriate nutrition is delivered to neonates. Two of these pumps are urgently needed in the NICU,” said Laplante.

Sharon Howson’s son Alec was born by C-Section in 2012. He was 3.5 lbs. and spent about 2 months in the NICU. Sharon suffered from Pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to the liver and kidneys.

“It was a very scary experience. We got to know the 14 nurses that cared for Alec. They were like family to us, they still are. Being near home made all the difference to us,” said Howson. “As a recreational curler, I had the privilege and opportunity to donate to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation countless times – it’s such an integral part of women’s curling. She was such an inspiring woman and the Foundation developed as her legacy supports such a good cause. Never in a million years did I imagine just how personal those donations would become. Throughout our NICU journey we watched in awe at the equipment needed to care for our son and couldn’t even begin to fathom how much it all cost.”

Steve Doty, a member of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation Board of Directors, pointed out Sandra, a three-time world curling champion and Gold Medal winner in the 1998 Olympics, helped us understand that life is precious and can be taken away in an instant. “Sandra had two daughters under the age of 3 when she lost her greatest fight to cancer at the age of 36. She loved all children and understood that we must place value on more than just winning and losing. We must prioritize the very simple things that are near and dear to us all, in particular our family,” said Doty.

Countless babies born premature and critically ill in NICUs across Canada have benefitted from life-saving equipment that the Foundation, which was formed by her family and friends in her memory, has funded in Sandra’s name.

“Our community is grateful for your gift today. Since opening in 2011, over 1,200 babies have been cared for during their most critical time. Our NICU continues to be a busy area. This donation and Sandra Schmirler’s legacy is ensuring infants have the best possible care, close to home.” said Tammy Morison, President and CEO of the NBRHC Foundation.

 

(Photo submitted L to R: Steve Doty, Sandra Dchmirler Foundation Board of Directors; parent Sharon Howson and son Alec; Tammy Morison, President and CEO, NBRHC Foundation; Joanne Laplante, Director, Surgery, Women & Children)

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