The Vernon Jubilee Hospital is receiving new equipment to treat babies with severe jaundice, courtesy of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.
When a baby is born with severe jaundice, they require photo therapy treatment under bilirubin lights. Newborns being treated for jaundice typically stay in hospital for one to three days.
The $10,000 donation will purchase the photo therapy bilirubin lighting for the hospital.
“We see as many as three newborns a week who require light therapy treatment before they can go home,” said Nichole Aichinger, manager of the VJH Women and Children’s Health Services. “A new light system means we can replace some of our older equipment. The new units are compact and mobile, so they can be used anywhere. Babies can safely receive the blue light treatment in incubators, Panda Warmers and even their parent’s arms.”
The donation was given in honour of Canadian curling legend, Sandra Schmirler, who was only 36-years-old when she passed from cancer in 2000.
Schmirler was not only a three-time Canadian and World Curling Champion and Olympic gold medalist, but also a loving mother to two baby girls. Over the years, the Sandra Schmirler Foundation has created a legacy of purchasing life-saving equipment for Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in hospitals across Canada.
Local Paralympian, and one of the world’s most decorated wheelchair curlers – Ina Forrest – was on hand to help the hospital celebrate the donation to support babies.
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