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Brockville General Hospital |
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News Release |
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE A cup of coffee warms the heart Coffee parties raise $6,307 to buy new treadmill for BGH Cardiovascular Program What can a cup of coffee buy? At Brockville General Hospital, it goes a long way to creating a healthy future for a patient who has had a heart attack or other cardiovascular trouble. A series of coffee parties – dubbed the Incredible Shrinking Coffee Party – was held in many communities of Leeds-Grenville this year. More than 600 people attended 116 parties, which were held to increase awareness of BGH programs and services and to raise money for equipment for the new Brockville Cardiovascular Program. The parties have culminated with the donation of $6,307 to the Cardiovascular Program – enough to buy a new treadmill for the patients. Jean Macintosh, a hospital Board member who led the Coffee Party initiative, said the amount exceeded the group’s goal of $5,000. “I’m thrilled,” she said. “I think people in Leeds-Grenville area are very generous. People want to help.” At each coffee party, guests were asked to contribute $5, and many gave more. Mrs. Macintosh said the parties were held in many locations: homes, coffee shops, golf club lounges and workplaces. A walking club held its party on a hiking trail. Everyone who attended the parties received a newsletter full of information about the hospital. ‘It was a wonderful opportunity to share information about hospital programs that you don’t know about unless you use them,” she said. “And it was a nice opportunity just to have coffee with people.” The seven people at the original party at Mrs. Macintosh’s home were asked to each host a party for six people, who in turn were to host a party for five people, then four and so on. Because most people have busy lives, not all the parties occurred, as expected, and the group was surprised and pleased to exceed the fundraising goal. The parties occurred in many communities around Brockville. Five people attended Florence Hutton’s party in Prescott. “We had a really, really good morning,” Mrs. Hutton recalled. “And helping the Cardiovascular Program in a little way gives them satisfaction.” “You don’t normally have coffee parties, and this was a cup of coffee for a good cause,” remarked Nicole St-Aubin, who hosted a party in Athens. BGH’s cardiovascular rehabilitation program is funded entirely through donations. Director of Critical Care Margriet deBruyn reported that since the program began in May, 126 people have been referred. This month, there are five classes of seven patients each. The program was set up to provide cardiac rehabilitation close to home for people who have had a heart attack, angina or other heart trouble, and also to prevent reoccurrence. Patients are supervised by one of five internists – including Dr. Jay Bhatt, who was a driving force behind the program’s creation. The staff includes RN Helen Ostap and kinesiologist Jason Lafave. “It’s a wonderful program,” Mrs. deBruyn said. “The demand is high – there is even a waiting list.”
Brockville General
Hospital’s Incredible Shrinking Coffee Party raised $6,307, which will be
used to buy a fourth treadmill for the Cardiovascular Program. Celebrating
the community’s generosity are, from left, kinesiologist Jason Lafave, Board
members Jean Macintosh and Nicole St-Aubin, Florence Hutton, and RN Helen
Ostap. Media: For more information, please contact:
Christine Endicott
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