This year, the hospital is asking for donations to offset $100,000 worth of equipment improvements that are needed in the obstetrics and cardiopulmonary departments. The hospital needs six bassinets for the obstetrics department, 10 stretchers, four heart monitors and equipment kits to upgrade the electrocardiogram and ventilator systems, hospital officials said.
On Nov. 1, about 3,500 mailings were sent out to area businesses and residents that explain the needs and ask for donations, McCabe said. Over the last two years, about $74,000 has been raised in the annual campaign.
The first year, the hospital was able to raise enough money to renovate rooms in the mammograpy department and purchase a cardiac monitoring system and other equipment, McCabe said.
Last year, about $25,000 from the campaign was used to establish an epidural service in the obstetrics unit. An epidural service is used to anesthetize women during birth, McCabe said.
McCabe said the fund-raising campaign always is held this time of year, particularly so local residents can use their donations as a tax deduction.
For more information about the campaign, interested donors can call McCabe at 1-304-728-1690.
