MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2011

Brockville Legion Helps BGH Lab Acquire New Microscope

Brockville—The Brockville Royal Canadian Legion Branch #96 has donated $7500 toward the purchase of a new Olympus microscope for the Brockville General Hospital Microbiology Laboratory.

“We’re touched by the generosity of the Legion,” says BGH Lab Manager Susan Pugh, “and thrilled with the new equipment. The other microscope was over 20 years old and obsolete. This new Olympus microscope with its advanced optics will be extremely valuable with readings, diagnoses, and identifications.”

The newest member of the BGH lab family has double viewing scopes that allow for technical consultations and clinical teaching, and cost a total of $11,500.

The Brockville Legion is happy to support such a vital service to the community.

“The Legion makes annual donations from its Charitable Foundation Fund each March at our District Convention,” explains Legion 1st Vice President and Poppy Fund Chair Don Bain. “Applications are made and Toronto assesses them. Branch 96 has been supporting Brockville General for many years now.”

Bain should know—he was employed for 29 years in the BGH kitchen, and has been involved with the Legion almost as long.

The Brockville Legion Branch 96 has just under 700 members, with 100 active in the club and with community support. The proceeds of the Poppy Fund target many youth programs, and at the recent 30-Hour Telethon in Support of Palliative Care, Legion members donated a total of $1600 toward the palliative care service based at BGH.

“We also donate over $180,000 each year to the community in kind,” says Legion President Ray Gilroy. “We do that a number of ways, such as hosting tournaments for youth sports, working with the Special Olympics, or just letting local groups use our hall for free. We’re a service club, so we serve the community. I think people like to know that when they participate with our events or use our facilities, any money spent goes directly back into the community.”

Helping to keep the latest in healthcare technology available to the Leeds & Grenville community is part of that directive for the Legion.

“Giving the grant of $7500 toward the purchase of the Olympus microscope was a wonderful opportunity for the Brockville Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion,” says Gilroy. “We love to put our money back into this community whenever and wherever we can.”

 

A good day for the BGH Lab: Welcoming the new addition are (l – r) Ray Gilroy, Legion President; Don Bain, Legion 1st Vice President; the new Olympus microscope; and BGH Lab staff Lorraine Ashby; Susan Pugh (Lab Manager); Laurie Schroeder; and Susan Smart.


For more information, please contact:

Joan McLaughlin Executive Director Brockville and District Hospital Foundation 613-345-4478 mcljo@bgh-on.ca

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