The Tree of Dreams is back for its 14th year of raising funds for the Penticton Regional Hospital.
This year, the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation is hoping to be able to buy PRH a second specialized hip surgery table, significantly increasing the number of hip surgeries the hospital can perform.
That’s one of four major equipment purchases for PRH included in the Tree of Dreams fundraising campaign this holiday season.
The foundation hopes to raise $925,000 to fund the surgery table, plus a new mammography machine, electroencephalogram (EEG) unit and colonoscopy scopes.
Dr. Tim Bell is one of two PRH surgeons who perform anterior hip surgery (incision from the front) which results in a much faster recovery period. No ligaments or tendons are cut and a key muscle is simply moved aside. However, the procedure does require a specialized table to align the hip.
READ MORE: Foundation Notes: SOS Medical foundation fundraiser shifts gears
“Anterior hip surgery allows for patients to go home the same day or within 24 hours,” Bell said. “Here in Penticton, about 70 per cent of our patients go home the same day.”
Carey Bornn, executive director of the SOS Medical Foundation, said following last spring’s opening of the David E. Kampe Tower, the Tree of Dreams campaign is now focusing on other medical equipment needs for PRH.
“We gained a fantastic response from donors to our $20-million Tower campaign,” Bornn said. “Now we’re looking for support for other key items to make sure we continue offering the best health care available for residents throughout our region.”
A Tree of Dreams brochure has been mailed out to area households. This year, a separate campaign was launched for residents in Oliver and Osoyoos to donate towards an upgrade of South Okanagan General Hospital.
For more information, contact the SOS Medical Foundation at 250-492-9027 or visit their website at www.sosmedicalfoundation.com.
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