WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — The Cobden and District Civitan Club understands the importance of local healthcare to our community and has been a long-time supporter of Renfrew Victoria Hospital.
The Civitan Club has ensured that RVH has been one of the recipients of funds raised from its charity golf tournament for more than 15 years, says Mary Moss, tournament representative.
“One of the goals of Civitan is to ‘reach out in service to others.’ One of the ways we can do that is to support the RVH mandate of ‘providing exceptional patient care near home.’ Renfrew Victoria hospital is constantly assessing new and innovative ways to make it possible for treatment to take place in Renfrew, rather than it be necessary for patients and families to make the trip to Ottawa. Many of the residents of Cobden have clearly benefitted from this commitment. Therefore, if we can assist fundraising efforts, we are only too happy to do so,” states Moss.
The RVH Foundation’s fundraising efforts right now are aimed at medical, diagnostic and surgical equipment that are vital to patient care, notes Sarah Robinson, Foundation Executive Director. “While most people believe it to be a provincial responsibility, funding from the province doesn’t cover equipment,” explains Robinson.
Currently, RVH is in need of a THERA-Trainer Mobi for its physical therapy department.
The Mobi is a motorized leg and upper body exerciser with a high-performance motor, enabling passive (motor-operated) or active (with your own muscle power) movement training.
The machine is small and portable so that it can be easily transported to patients rather than taking patients to stationary equipment.
The THERA-Trainer Mobi will aid patients who have slight movement restrictions, general age-related weakness or with mild symptoms of different illnesses to gain strength, endurance and metabolism and become active.
“The benefits for patients include building muscle strength, maintaining mobility and improving coordination and posture. It has been shown and we know from experience that improving functional abilities of patients helps to ensure they will be able to leave the hospital more quickly and function independently at home,” says Chris Ferguson, RVH VP of Patient Care Services.
At the conclusion of the 2018 tournament on Friday August 3, the Civitan Club made a $3,000 donation to RVH. The club has invested more than $141,000 in the hospital over the years.
“We are grateful to the Civitan Club for enabling us to move ahead with the purchase this important piece of equipment this year and for all the support over the years,” says Robinson.
