ORILLIA, ON – Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is in urgent need of highly used medical equipment in the Emergency Room (ER) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The Foundation is asking for the community’s support this Giving Tuesday to assist with the purchase of ophthalmoscopes, otoscopes and thermometers.

Though they may be small, the ophthalmoscope, otoscope and thermometer are essential to a doctor’s tool kit allowing them to monitor a patient’s clinical course during their Hospital stay. “An accurate temperature is an important screening vital sign that helps us to triage patients appropriately,” says Dr. Aaron Barnett, Chief of Emergency at Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. “It is one of the tools we use to try and keep infectious patients separated from non-infectious patients in a busy ER.” Similarly, the otoscope and ophthalmoscopes are part of a basic assessment for patients presenting with infectious symptoms or head and neck complaints.

As high use items around the Hospital, these equipment pieces are more susceptible to breakage, moving around the Hospital or needing frequent replacements. This is why the Hospital is in need of them now. “Maintaining this equipment is essential to providing the quality care that our community has come to expect and we would certainly appreciate the community supporting the ER and ICU departments in this way,” says Barnett.

The Hospital is in need of seven each of the ophthalmoscopes, otoscopes and thermometers. The Foundation has set a goal of $10,000 for Giving Tuesday, which would ensure that these fundamental medical tools will be purchased for the Hospital. Annual Giving Officer, Hunter Markle is leading the fundraiser for the Soldiers’ Foundation this Giving Tuesday and asking the community to come together to support the purchase of these essential items, “We need 500 members of the community to come together and make a $20 donation and we will reach our goal,” says Markle.   

“We have a very generous community surrounding our Hospital,” said Mark Riczu, Soldiers’ Foundation Executive Director, “They embody the Soldiers’ spirit of putting friends, family and community first, and we know that with their help this Giving Tuesday, we will raise the funds needed for the ophthalmoscopes, otoscopes and thermometers.”

Giving Tuesday, which takes place on November 30, is a global philanthropic movement that follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The day of giving has gained traction across Canada, with millions taking part each year in support of their community charities.

This Giving Tuesday, if you choose to make a donation in support of the Hospital, your funds will be put towards the purchase of ophthalmoscopes, otoscopes and thermometers. To make a donation, visit www.SoldiersFoundation.ca and choose “Giving Tuesday” from the Events menu.

About Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is a movement to celebrate giving of all kinds, celebrated on the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday; this year it falls on Nov. 30, 2021. The movement was launched in Canada in 2013 by GIV3 and CanadaHelps.org, and founded in the US in 2012 by 92nd Street Y in partnership with the UN Foundation.

To learn more about how to get involved or view a full list of Giving Tuesday partners and great campaigns, please visit GivingTuesday.ca.