Dr. Doug Waterman holds up a long, thin silver scope used for surgery.
The specialized medical device is used widely — by every department, for multiple purposes — at Eagle Ridge Hospital in Port Moody, where Waterman has practised since 1993.
The endoscope allows doctors to take a look inside a body cavity or organ, without causing a lot of damage to the patient.
Still, it doesn't come cheap, with each piece costing up to $10,000. And, with ever-changing technology, the devices often require to be updated.
"We're pushing the envelope every year," Waterman said, "and this hospital is very much a leader in endoscopic surgery. We have high volume and a great need for them."
New endoscopes are on the list for the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Guildford Way hospital.
But so, too, is a new blood gas analyzer for the laboratory, a surgical camera (ultra capture unit) and a paediatric bronchoscope for intubation.
Next month, at its principal fundraiser of the year, the foundation hopes to bring in $270,000 through its Fund a Need drive to purchase the life-saving gear.
The Evening of Caring gala — an event sponsored in part by The Tri-City News — will hear from doctors as well as from patients including Rick Thompson, a food services employee from Coquitlam.
Described as B.C.'s sickest man, Thompson will share his story about recovering from strep pneumonia and bacterial meningitis — severe infections that resulted him losing all of his limbs last year; however, his life was saved after four months of intensive care at Eagle Ridge Hospital.
"I would not be where I am today without the support of Eagle Ridge Hospital’s superb doctors and nurses," Thompson said in a news release. "The staff go above and beyond to deliver people-first, world-class patient care, earning them the reputation as the Little Hospital with the Big Heart."
Today, Thompson volunteers at the hospital.
Executive director Charlene Giovannetti-King said money raised through her foundation buys about 60% of the hospital equipment. And since 1993, it has brought in more than $23.8 million for health care needs at Eagle Ridge Hospital.
• Tickets to Evening of Caring on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver in Coquitlam are $175 though erhf.ca. The live auction includes a Romer's-catered barbecue for 20 people and a street hockey game featuring Port Moody native Ryan Johansen of the Nashville Predators.
