Health Foundation funds new Emergency Department equipment through Suncor donation

Fort McMurray, Alberta – The Northern Lights Health Foundation is pleased to announce the arrival of a new Ears, Nose and Throat chair (ENT chair) to the Emergency Department of the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre. The ENT chair is used to treat patients for a number of different injuries to eyes, ears, noses and throats. This critical piece of equipment was funded by the Northern Lights Health Foundation through a generous donation from Suncor Energy.

The ENT chair is an indispensable piece of equipment proving useful in a variety of situations. For example, it’s used to draw blood, to administer medications intravenously and do eye, ear, nose and throat check-ups, physician consultations and to provide patient prescriptions. With injuries to eyes, ears, noses and throats being common in Fort McMurray due to the nature of local industry, the new chair is a welcome addition to the Health Centre and helps staff provide the best quality treatment to patients.

“With the variety of trades we see in the area, the nature of the injuries certainly vary and any way we can provide comfort to patients during treatment is crucial,” says Susanne Chaffey, Executive Director for the Northern Lights Health Foundation. “Suncor has been a loyal supporter to health care in Wood Buffalo for decades, and the improvements they’ve helped make to community health and wellness has proven invaluable. We’re very fortunate to enjoy a close relationship with such a community-minded organization.”

The funds for the ENT chair were donated to the Health Foundation on behalf of about 800 local Suncor employees from a staff BBQ held in June 2013. The BBQ raised a total of $8,620, which was generously donated to the Health Foundation. The new chair was funded through $7,100 of Suncor’s gift, with the remaining funds being used to support other priority health care needs in Wood Buffalo.

As Canada’s leading integrated energy company, Suncor is committed to using its strengths and capabilities to actively engage in the creation of strong, sustainable communities. The company is also known for supporting the charitable giving and volunteer efforts of its employees and retirees, many of whom call Fort McMurray home.

About the Northern Lights Health Foundation
Established in 1985, the Northern Lights Health Foundation exists to provide funds to support health care priorities within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. For more information, visit www.nlhf.ca

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For more information, please contact:
Susanne Chaffey
Executive Director
Northern Lights Health Foundation
Tel: 780-791-6178 Cell: 780-715-5881 Email: susanne.chaffey@albertahealthservices.ca