November 26, 2004 - by Darrell Cole - Amherst Daily News

Hospital ready to light up Sunday

AMHERST - As their campaign surpasses the halfway mark, officials with the CUmberland Health Care Foundation are busy preparing for their giant Light the Way lighting ceremony on Sunday at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Upper Nappan.

"We're looking forward to another successful Christmas light-up at the hospital and are hoping people will come out for some entertainment, to see the lights on the tree and the building be turned on," foundation chair Phyllis Cameron said Thursday. "It's really a night for celebration."

Festivities kick off near the hospital's main entrance at 6 p.m. with an appearance by town crier Jerry Randall and several musical selections by the ARHS band. Following comments from Cameron and Cumberland Health Authority CEO Bruce Quigley, lights illuminating the tree along with various wreaths and angels affixed to the hospital will be lit in sequence, choreographed to music.

After the light-up ceremonies are completed outside, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance to hand out treats to children while there will be caroling and entertainment inside the hospital. "It's a special night for people who have made a donation in honour or memory of someone to come to the hospital and see that light turned on," Cameron said. " It gives the night extra meaning."

However, the light-up ceremony does not mean the campaign is concluded as the foundation will continue taking contributions through January. Its mail out was sent last week while the campaign has received plenty of publicity through the local media.

"After the light-up the lights will still be on and people are invited to come up to the hospital to see the display and the lights that are on the property," she said.

A couple of weeks into the campaign, Cameron said Light the Way has raised approximately $33,000 of its $65,000 goal and she remains hopeful the find raising effort will continue to hold its momentum after Sunday's ceremony.

"We're off to a good start. I just hope we can maintain this momentum following the light-up ceremony," she said. "It's important for people to realize that the money they donate supports health care services and equipment right here in Cumberland County and with the work done by the authority to bring in new specialists we can be assured the services will be there when we need them."

Funds from Light the Way will be used this ear to purchase a portable ultrasound for the maternal/child department as well as a pair of syringe drivers for the palliative care and surgical departments. Proceeds will also be used to purchase motility study equipment to help with the diagnosis and treatment of digestive disorders.

Dr. Krystian Szczesny said the equipment will enable him to better treat patients since it will allow for the better measurement of their esophagus and the swallowing process. It's also something that will assist the surgical department when working with digestive disorders.

At present, patients requiring some of these treatments are often referred to Moncton or Halifax and the motility study equipment being purchased through Light the Way will allow these people to be treated at the regional hospital.