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The Guild of Ocean Medical Center
Helps Purchase VeinViewer for Patients
The Guild of Ocean Medical Center
has always been committed to supporting
the highest level of health
care at Ocean Medical Center. Through its
annual fundraiser, "Friends on the Bay,"
the Guild helped raise $80,000 in 2007
to benefit programs and services at the
Medical Center.
With the Guild's philanthropic support,
Ocean Medical Center was able to purchase
a VeinViewer, which helps ease the
discomfort chemotherapy patients experience
when undergoing daily needle sticks.
"This past year we decided to approach
the outpatient chemotherapy department
staff to find out what their wish list of
items to help the department would be,"
says Guild president Susan Scherler, who
along with her husband, Ernie, chairman
of the Ocean Medical Center Foundation,
cochaired the fundraiser.
One of the items on the list was a
VeinViewer. "When we saw how the
VeinViewer worked, we were amazed by
it," Scherler says.
The VeinViewer, which costs $25,000
to $30,000, uses a safe infrared light to
highlight all veins under the skin. This
helps medical staff choose the best vein
for inserting a needle, reducing the number
of needle sticks a patient receives.
Chemotherapy patients often undergo
frequent needle sticks to access veins during
treatment. Veins can collapse due to
the effects of chemotherapy, making it difficult to find an ideal vein. Some
patients even have a central line, or catheter,
placed to get their medication. Central
lines carry a risk for infection.
"The VeinViewer definitely helps make
treatment time more comfortable for the
patient," says Scherler. This technology
was first used in cancer patients, but
patients in other areas of the medical center
have benefited, such as individuals in
critical care and those being treated for
vascular problems.
With the remaining funds raised, the
Guild has outfitted a kitchenette for the outpatient
chemotherapy department, including
a new microwave oven, refrigerator,
and ice maker. The ice maker is a patient
favorite as it provides ice to chew on during
treatment.
The Guild also donated $25,000 to
the Navigator program, housed at Ocean
to help cancer patients and their families
"navigate" their treatment and recovery.
"In addition, the Guild is supporting the
purchase of new radiation oncology equipment,"
says Scherler.
This year's "Friends on the Bay" cocktail
party will be held September 19 at the
Manasquan River Golf Club. "If we are
able to raise enough funds, we hope to
purchase another VeinViewer for the
Medical Center," says Scherler.
Ocean Medical Center is extremely
grateful for the ongoing support of
the Guild.
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