Fourteen ventilators are among the critical respiratory equipment purchases made possible over the last year with the support of donors to the TB Vets Charitable Foundation.
In Delta, TB Vets is supporting the Delta Hospital with a $19,000 gift for a Premium System Verathon Glidescope. A glidescope is a tool needed for intubating critically ill patients, and will be taken to every Code Blue in the hospital. Code Blue indicates a medical emergency such as cardiac or respiratory arrest. Approximately 20 such emergencies have occurred so far this year.
This grant is part of a record $1-million in funding provided by TB Vets to hospitals and first responders across BC communities large and small.
“At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has put in perspective just how important and essential it is to have access to life-saving respiratory equipment, we are proud to have made such a significant contribution to the care of British Columbians,” says TB Vets CEO Kandys Merola. “This is possible because of the generosity of TB Vets donors, including in particular through our Key Tag Program. Ten years ago, TB Vets went through a tough time, and we thought that we might have to close. But thanks to the support of our donors, we not only survived, but have been able to increase our reach, and to celebrate $1-million in donations this year!”
Since 1946, when TB Vets introduced British Columbia’s first key tag program, the charity has returned more than 510,000 keys. This year’s key tags will be mailed in mid-October, around Thanksgiving.