Patients requiring assessment and diagnosis for various lung problems will benefit thanks to the fundraising efforts of the IW Breathe Easy Group and their 2012 Challenge.
The group has donated £5,500 to fund a portable Ultrasound Scanner for the Respiratory Department at St. Mary’s Hospital.
The Breathe Easy 2012 Challenge included a British Lung Foundation (BLF) Active Olympics, a 12 hour ‘Exerciseathon’ and hospital staff and supporters participated in a 2012 Exercise Bike Challenge. A Smarties Challenge was also held which involved eating a tube of Smarties then filling the tube with as many 20p coins as possible.
Sarah Kearney, Respiratory Clinical Nurse Specialist, said: “I would like to thank Breathe Easy members for their amazing fund raising efforts throughout 2012, which I know meant the consumption of many Smarties, as well as many steps trodden in the gym or on the exercise bicycles.
“I would also like to thank Colin Hayward, Area Manager for the Co-op Group, for their generous support. Having heard about our 2012 Challenge to raise money for an Ultra Sound Scanner, Colin and his team decided to donate the money they receive back from the Eco-Friendships CIC recycling bins to our appeal.”
Dr Andrew Woolley, Consultant Respiratory Physician at St. Mary’s Hospital, said: “A new Ultrasound Scanner will mean that we are able to assess more accurately patients with fluid in their chest and other lung problems in our clinic and on the wards. It will make it easier to take samples of fluid which is important in diagnosing the cause. It will also make it easier for us to treat the problem by draining the fluid.”
The presentation took place at the Respiratory Department, St. Mary’s Hospital on 8th February during the monthly meeting of the Breathe Easy Group.
The 2013 Breathe Easy Challenge is already underway with a Coastal Path Walking Challenge in March. More information is available at the Sainsbury’s Store in Newport.
