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Urology to benefit from Festival of Trees

The 20th edition of the Festival of Trees will direct its fundraising efforts to buy a state-of-the-art urology imaging unit at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. The new $650,000 flat panel detector technology replaces the aging machine in the Diagnostic Imaging, Urology and Operating Room. The equipment helps the urologist to visualize kidney stones, urinary tract infections and revealing blockages, congenial abnormalities and cancers.

The 20th edition of the Festival of Trees will direct its fundraising efforts to buy a state-of-the-art urology imaging unit at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

The new $650,000 flat panel detector technology replaces the aging machine in the Diagnostic Imaging, Urology and Operating Room.

The equipment helps the urologist to visualize kidney stones, urinary tract infections and revealing blockages, congenial abnormalities and cancers. It will be used for surgical and non-surgical procedures.

This year’s chosen department was announced at the Black Knight Inn on Tuesday.

Kate Luchenski, diagnosing imaging director for Alberta Health Services Central Zone, said this will be the first of its kind in Alberta.

She said the machine will provide improved image quality, faster diagnosis and treatment and reduced radiation dosage to patients, which is becoming even more critical.

“This is greatly needed,” said Luchenski. “The current unit is 13 years old already. It should have been replaced two years ago. We are looking for a new unit almost immediately.”

The new unit and renovations to the operating room come with roughly a $1-million price tag.

When not used in the surgery, the machine will be used for prostrate surgeries, stent insertions and any procedure that requires access to the bladder.

In 2012, staff conducted 250 imaging exams and 1,000 other procedures that require access to the bladder on the existing equipment. Luchenski said these numbers could increase.

The Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre is the only facility in Central Alberta that conducts the exams.

Festival co-chair person Karen Mann said the organizing committee and volunteers said the 20th anniversary of the Festival of Trees is shaping up to be one of the best.

“That’s 20 years in Central Alberta enhancing health care, building communities,” said Mann.

“In 2013 we’re really excited about hopefully setting another record. That’s what we’re always aiming for.”

In 2012, the festival raised $1.25 million for the Department of Histopathology in Laboratory Services.

The first Red Deer Festival of Trees, in 1994, brought in $28,509 for laboratory services at the hospital.

This year the committee is introducing three volunteer awards — lifetime, youth and volunteer of the year.

Information on the nomination process and awards will be rolled out in October.

This year the festival will receive funds from the sale of the traditional holiday home built by Avalon Central Alberta. Avalon has already raised $80,000 of its goal of raising $100,000 this year.

The 2013 Festival of Trees starts on Nov. 16 with the Festival Lights The Night and the Santa Claus Parade.

For more information, go to www.reddeerfeestivaloftrees.ca or contact Alaine Martin at 403-406-5517.

crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com