FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Atrium Auxiliary Middletown has just announced that they will provide funding for three projects which will benefit patients of Atrium Medical Center:

The Auxiliary will provide funds for the Laboratory Department to purchase a CRYOSTAT.  This equipment provides critical testing for patients undergoing cancer surgeries by allowing speedy analysis of frozen tissue sections while patients are still in surgery.

The respiratory department will receive funding for a new VENTILATOR to assist patients having breathing difficulties.  The new equipment will save money over time by reducing the number of ventilators the hospital has to rent during times of highest need such as flu season.

The Atrium Medical Center Foundation’s “Imagine a Cure” campaign for Cancer Care is raising funds to purchase state-of-the-art technology, the daVinci Robotic Surgical System.  The Auxiliary has made a 3-year pledge to support this new technology which allows for minimally invasive surgeries, including several types of cancer surgery, as well some types of heart, kidney and other surgeries.

The mission of the Auxiliary is to provide funding for needed equipment, and to provide active volunteer service at the medical center.  If you are a patient or visitor, make note of the many ladies and gentlemen wearing purple shirts and jackets.  Currently there are volunteers in more than 35 departments of the hospital.  Priscilla Lane, Manager of Volunteer Services, reported that 174 Adult and 34 Junior volunteers contributed 3,567 hours of service in January.

Jayne Floering reported that volunteers donated a total of 1,415 hand made baby hats in 2009.  In January, we received 83 baby hats.  Betty Young reported that in January volunteers donated 38 hats for adults undergoing chemotherapy.

The public is invited to shop at our popular $5 Jewelry sale on March 8 and 9 in the main lobby at Atrium. 

And don’t forget to check the wonderful selection of items in the Hilltop Shop, located near the hospital’s front entrance!  The Hilltop Shop is managed by members of the Auxiliary and is our biggest fundraiser to support the hospital as well as the Auxiliary’s health career scholarship program.

To learn more about the Auxiliary and how to become a volunteer, call the Volunteer Services office at (513) 420-5201 or go www.AtriumMedCenter.org and click on “Volunteer.”