The Royal Canadian Legion Courtenay Branch #17 presented a cheque for $10,000 to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation on Wednesday, March 2 to purchase two pulse oximeters for St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Cardio-Pulmonary Services. From left to right: Katie Maximick, (Communications & Fund Development, St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation), Bruce Stewart, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #17 President, Sara Ferchuk (Respiratory Technologist), Craig Dickson (Clinical Chief Respiratory Therapy), Wanda McMillan, (Department Manager, Cardio-Pulmonary Services) and Kelly Kuzyk, Courtenay Legion #17 Poppy Chair.

The Royal Canadian Legion Courtenay Branch #17 presented a cheque for $10,000 to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation on Wednesday, March 2 to purchase two pulse oximeters for St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Cardio-Pulmonary Services. From left to right: Katie Maximick, (Communications & Fund Development, St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation), Bruce Stewart, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #17 President, Sara Ferchuk (Respiratory Technologist), Craig Dickson (Clinical Chief Respiratory Therapy), Wanda McMillan, (Department Manager, Cardio-Pulmonary Services) and Kelly Kuzyk, Courtenay Legion #17 Poppy Chair.

The Royal Canadian Legion Courtenay Branch #17 presented a cheque to St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation for $10,000 on Wednesday, March 2 to purchase pulse oximeters for Cardio-Pulmonary Services at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

These oximeters are a quick, painless way to measure the oxygen saturation in blood. This new equipment will increase the ability to complete overnight oximeter testing and thus decrease wait times for treatment. They also have an auto-on and auto-off function, are less cumbersome, more comfortable and can provide faster, more efficient patient testing.

“With the addition of new wrist worn pulse oximeters, individuals coming to St. Joseph’s Hospital for pre-operative assessment requiring overnight oximeter testing will be able to have the appointment arranged and equipment set-up in house by our Respiratory Therapist,” said Craig Dickson, Clinical Chief Respiratory Therapy.

Since 1998, the Courtenay Legion has donated nearly $140,000 to St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, funding a variety of equipment needs, campaigns and departments in the hospital that help improve healthcare in the Comox Valley for thousands of residents each year.

“The Courtenay Legion has been one of our biggest community partners for many years, and they have helped purchase numerous pieces of medical equipment for St. Joseph’s Hospital. The number of people the Courtenay Legion has helped through their donations is amazing to think about,” says Lynn Dashkewytch, Executive Director of St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.

“Service clubs like the Courtenay Legion do so much for the Comox Valley each year, and their support has a very big impact in our community. We are so grateful for their support.”