Sargents donates $240K for vital hospital equipment
Sargents Pies Charitable Foundation recently donated $240,000 to the Westmead Medical Research Foundation (WMRF) to fund critical equipment and programs across Western Sydney Local Health District.
The donation – the latest from the Sydney business – will be spent on a variety of equipment including 18 new oxygenation units for Westmead Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, three PANDA warmers for the birth unit, along with funding for a specialist exercise physiologist for Westmead’s Redbank House to assist in running exercise programs for children to help improve their health and wellbeing.
Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals will also receive funds for equipment for the WSLHD VET in Schools Program for Assistant in Nursing, based at the Blacktown Simulation Centre.
Since 2011, Sargents has donated more than $2 million to the health district – a fact that is not lost on WMRF.
The foundation was keen to pay homage to Sargents for their ongoing generosity, particularly to Westmead Hospital’s NICU.
A new video, featuring former patients and NICU staff, aims to recognise Sargents’ contribution to the ward – and the lives of hundreds of babies.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFlrok-7rZw[/embedyt]
Former patient Victoria Kastoun participated in the video after seeing first-hand the work of NICU’s clinical team and the life-saving equipment, when her son Anthony was born prematurely.
“The NICU was a place I had to face all my fears,” Victoria said.
“But every milestone now … it takes me back to NICU; I wouldn’t have had [those moments] if it wasn’t for the NICU team.
“In Anthony’s crib [at the hospital], there was a plaque saying proudly donated by Sargents Pies and every day, you see that; it made me realise how many people were on Anthony’s journey with us and how many contributed to his care.”
Sargents Pies Charitable Foundation representative Brian Andrews said the foundation was committed to helping western Sydney hospitals.
“We are thrilled to be able to support the incredible efforts of the hard-working NICU doctors and nurses by funding new equipment,” he said.
“Feedback from families who have benefitted from the equipment is most rewarding.”
Westmead Medical Research Foundation’s Partnerships Manager Susie Saba said partnerships with the corporate community leave a footprint beyond our imagination.
“Sargents Pies Charitable Foundation has touched so many lives throughout their years of support – we can’t thank them enough,” she said.
“This video provides a glimpse of the sentiments of the community and the legacy left behind through their generosity.”
To support medical research and patient care at Westmead, visit wmrf.org.au or call 1800 639 037
