ROSES RADIOTHON

The Roses Radiothon …

The Roses Radiothon is a fundraising activity that is well known by the entire population of the Chaleur region and Acadian Peninsula for supporting the purchase of equipment or units related to cancers affecting women.

The Radiothon had its beginnings in 2007 in the Chaleur region thanks to the efforts of Armand Roussy, General Manager of radio station CKLE 92.9, who was motivated by a strong desire to improve health care in the region.  With a strong sense of dedication, he began the process of obtaining a piece of medical equipment used for cancer screening – and the Radiothon was born. In 2008, the Radiothon was expanded to include the Acadian Peninsula through the addition of this region’s three foundations.  The Radiothon logo (four roses) represents the four foundations as well as women.

The Roses Radiothon takes place under the auspices of radio station CKLE, with support from a regional committee.  This regional committee is made up of  the Special Event Officer of the development office, and four regional chairs representing the foundations.

The funds are raised through activities held throughout the year as well as the Radiothon day.  Some of these annual activities include the Evening of Roses in Bathurst and the Giant Christmas Stocking (Chaleur and Acadian Peninsula).  Other smaller activities are held locally at different locations within the Chaleur region and Acadian Peninsula.  Sponsors are sought for the Radiothon day to ensure the event’s success. Here is an overview of the funds raised since the Roses Radiothon began.

Since 2008, CKLE 92.9 FM Roses Radiothon, in collaboration with the Fondation Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus, raised $120,527 for the annual campaign of our local hospital, in addition to give $ 30,131 toward the purchase of equipment for our regional hospital.

Equipments – 2013 Roses Radiothon

(20% of donations raised during the 2013 Roses Radiothon will go toward the purchase of equipment for our regional hospital)

The laboratory needs state-of-the-art equipment to be able to test clinical specimens and thus collect the necessary information about a patient’s condition for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. In 2011-2012, a total of 1,478,600 procedures were done in the laboratory.

Multistainer
The multistainer is used daily for the versatile automatic colouring of tissues to aid in diagnosing cancer. One of the benefits of this new equipment is the standardization of the manual staining technique.

Microscopes
The purchase of two new microscopes will enable pathologists to conduct an accurate and detailed examination of cellular components and diagnose cancer. The pathologist microscope will facilitate viewing more cellular details and differences, which can be essential in making a diagnosis. The phase contrast microscope will provide more details to differentiate cells and casts as well as aid in identifying crystals and urinary artifacts

Portable autoclave
This sterilizer is used to prepare cell culture media, which allows technologists to isolate and identify pathogenic bacteria that cause infections. This equipment is used two or three times a day, mainly for people with cancer who are at greater risk of developing various bacterial infections.

Ultra low temperature freezer
This equipment is used daily to maintain the integrity of some specimens, such as cerebrospinal fluid, until they can be referred for testing. The ultra low temperature freezer is also used for storing bones and tissues, as well as dry ice and ice packs for shipping specimens so they will stay frozen until arrive at the referral lab.

Cell washer
The cell washer is used daily to assist in the preparation of blood cells for patients who receive multiple transfusions following chemotherapy. It is also used as a second workstation for the Blood Bank when the staff are very busy, for instance in case of an accident or during major surgeries where rapid service may be critical to patient survival.

Equipments – 2013 Annual Campaign

(80% of donations raised during the 2013 Roses Radiothon will go toward the purchase of equipment for our local hospital)

The projects identified this year are evaluated at $105,000. All the equipment purchased through the Campaign will be used in the following sectors:

ONCOLOGY
Hood for the preparation of medications for treatments.

EMERGENCY
Blood pressure monitor: This device is used to check patients’ blood pressure.

Transportation ventilator: This device is used to ventilate intubated patients during ambulance transfers to another hospital centre.

BiPAP devices and masks (2): These devices are used to assist the breathing of emergency patients experiencing respiratory failure.The use of a mask and positive pressure can prevent intubation. In addition, masks of varying sizes and types allow the device to be tailored to patients.

Spirometer: This device measures the pulmonary volumes and rates of dyspneic patients in emergency so that adequate treatment can be provided. It could also be used on other units.

Pulse oximeter: This device is placed on the end of the finger to non-invasively measure the amount of oxygen in the blood. May be used in emergency, on care units, and during transfers.