By Jill Sperling

Kamloops campaign fights to establish cardiac care unit at RIH

May 27, 2018 | 11:14 AM

KAMLOOPS — Al Patel has a dream of better healthcare for Kamloops citizens, and he has taken it upon himself and the ICCHA/Wish Foundation to achieve it. 

The foundation, which was created by Patel, has set a goal of raising $500,000 to begin the process of establishing a cardiac care unit (CCU) at Royal Inland Hospital. 

On Friday evening, donors came together for the ICCHA/Wish Foundation Gala at Colombo Lodge. 

Through pledges, received donations, and a $300,000 estate donation from Ian and Ingrid Middlemass, the foundation has surpassed its initial goal, and raised more than $600,000. 

“We have our seed money, which we will plant. And we will flourish if we fight together,” Patel said. 

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Currently, many patients who are suspected of having heart issues are transferred to Kelowna’s CCU. 

“For a cardiac patient with a heart attack, it is a trauma,” Patel said. “Every second counts for them, and how are we, and why are we wasting this valuable time to save? This is only for diagnosis they’re being sent down there. We don’t have the equipment here.” 

RIH currently has six cardiologists on staff, and a cardiac care clinic. Patel says the clinic is only useful to patients who have already been diagnosed in Kelowna and have received any necessary surgeries. 

Ultimately, Patel wants to see a catheterization lab established in Kamloops, but has been told by Cardiac Services BC this is a $5 million dream. 

Patel isn’t backing down. 

“Once we have the $5 million we’ll ask the government, ‘where is our cath lab?’” Patel said. “$5 million is a huge number for a little David, but David will make sure it’s going to be and the Goliath will have to say, ‘Al, thanks for the fight, here it is.’ That’s the gift we want.” 

Patel says cardiac patients should send their personal stories to iwishfund@gmail.com to help shed light on the urgent need for better cardiac care in Kamloops.