Community

GoFundMe campaign for Red Deer FireMedic facing long road to recovery

Published

5 months ago

October 12, 2018

Duane Rolheiser

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From GoFundMe campaign for “Big Ben”

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On October 1, Ben a 42 year old firemedic from Red Deer was faced with an unexpected event. In a split moment, Big Ben (aka friendly giant as some of you may know him) needed the help of specialized surgeons. Due to the swift response of the firemedic dept, he was taken out of city to have emergency surgery. The surgery was successful, however he did sustain a stroke post op. Ben has a long road of recovery ahead with the potential for lifelong changes.

Currently Benny is out of cardiac intensive care and remains in hospital. His family, children (3), grandchildren (2), colleagues and close friends have been supporting him from near and far. He is recovering well but all of this will take time.

Ben has a large network of people who extend far and wide from childhood friends, clientele from the good ol’ ‘Mort’s’ days, his involvement with charities and schools that have been close to his heart, his team on the fire departments, fashion show peeps (yes he actually has graced the runway for many many charitable causes) and the list goes on.

If you have met Ben, you will have had that intimate knowing that he is ‘that guy’ who IS “hard to forget” not only because of his sheer size (6’5) but because he has that genuine and calming nurturing ability to touch our lives in so many ways.

Since his hospitalization, many people have reached out asking “how can I help?”, “what can I do?”. Well this page will be one of the ways you can help Big Benny.

We do not know the amount of his future expenses. At this moment, we are cherishing his daily progress and flowing one day at a time. With saying that however, we know that unexpected costs will arise.
Ben has a strong work ethic. He worked extra shifts, working at a second job to support himself, the lives and future of his children. Because of this change in life circumstance, he will not be able to leverage on these extra sources of income.

We are hoping to have a fund set aside to alleviate his burden. Should down the road if the funds aren’t required and as Ben would have it, he can choose to donate the extra money to a charity dear to his heart.

Again, here is a link to the GoFundMe campaign.

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Related Topics:City of Red Deer Emergency Services feature GoFundMe

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Duane Rolheiser

Community

Watch: Red Deer Hospital Lottery Tickets Just $25

Published

1 day ago

March 24, 2019

Todayville

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Red Deer Hospital Lottery 2019 Cause: Pyxis Medstations

Pyxis Medstations are automated medication dispensing units with numerous electronic features to ensure safety, accuracy and efficiency.

In our hospital, over 1,000 new medication orders are written by prescribers and processed every day. 13,000 units of medication are dispensed on the care areas every 24 hours. The process for dispensing this medication is paper-based and manual with nurses selecting medication from a patient drawer or from the unit supply.

Patient safety is of utmost concern in our hospital, and the Pyxis system will help ensure the best possible healthcare for Central Albertans. Automated medication dispensing will ensure possible allergies, drug interactions, and duplicates in therapy are reviewed before medication is given, reduce the chances of a patient receiving the wrong medication, only allow access to medications approved for that patient, warn if a medication is selected too early or too late for a patient, provide additional instruction and information on medications to healthcare providers, enhance communication between the pharmacy and nursing.

The technology will further ensure medication dispensing safety with ‘bedside medication verification’. Once a medication has been selected for a patient, the nurse will scan the patient file at the bedside before administering the medication to that patient.2019 proceeds will be used to purchase Pyxis Medstations for use in emergency, the intensive care unit, operating room, recovery room, unit 22 (cardiology), & other critical care areas at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

Red Deer Hospital Lottery Proceeds from the Lottery have exceeded $8.5 million since its inception; the lottery has become a huge success and has plenty to celebrate!

For a fifth exciting year we are proud to partner with Sorento Custom Homes for the 2019 Red Deer Hospital Lottery Dream Home!

The 2019 Red Deer Hospital Lottery Dream Home, designed by Sorento Custom Homes, makes a strong statement of luxury and design. This $840,000 bungalow features 3,110 sq ft of developed living space. It’s a perfect family home with 3 bedrooms, 2 1⁄2 baths, and a master chef kitchen with adjoining butler pantry. You’ll love the high vaulted ceilings in the main living space, accented with wood beams & two large skylights, plus a full height brick fireplace. Enjoy the convenience of the 5 piece ensuite, connecting to a large walk-in closet and adjoining laundry room. Finish off this beautiful unique home with an impressive wet bar, and $40,000 worth of gorgeous furnishing provided by The Brick. Our Dream Home is located in the community of Laredo on the south east corner of Red Deer.

68 Larratt Close

Island and Living Room

Master Chef Kitchen with Butlers Pantry

Living Room

Stand alone tub in Master Bath

Great Living Space downstairs

Entertainment Centre

There are 100 prizes to be won valued at more than $1.1 million. This year’s Early Bird prize is: $25,000 Cash!

Don’t forget the MegaBucks 50 Raffle with a minimum cash payout of $100,000. Last year’s winner took home $250,000!
2019 proceeds will be used to purchase Pyxis Medstations, automated medication dispensing units with numerous electronic features to ensure safety for patients at the Red Deer hospital, and accuracy and efficiency for hospital staff.

Tickets for the Lottery are $25 each, 5 for $100 or 15 for $250 Call 403.340.1878 or toll-free at 1.877.808.9005.

Mega Bucks 50 tickets are $10 each, 10 for $25, and 25 for $50. To order online or for more details visit reddeerhospitallottery.ca

The show home is open to the public beginning March 15 at 1pm. Show home hours are March 15 – March 31, Daily 1-5 p.m.; Starting April 1, Friday – Sunday 1-5 p.m. Closed Good Friday, open Easter Sunday.

Early Bird cutoff is 11pm May 27, 2019. Final Ticket Sales cutoff is 11 pm June 24, 2019.

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Community

Students Celebrate Reading in a big way at St. Thomas Aquinas

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2019

Duane Rolheiser

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From Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School celebrated literacy this week (March 18-22) to build community through reading, writing, fine arts and special guests. This special week is celebrated annually to remind students about the importance of literacy.

“Along with our faith, literacy is the foundation of everything else we do. This week we have been promoting literacy in a more community-minded way. Students from Grade 6-9 have been invited to interact through a variety of activities throughout the school during classes and at lunch. Nine guest readers have been brought in to read to each of the classes, as well as an author to do writers workshops with our keen and budding authors. Other activities included graffiti, book art, word games and book donations all culminating with a Pajama and Flashlight Day,” Assistant-Principal, Leo Chauvet at St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School.

“Literacy week has affected me because it taught me how to be a better author in the Writer’s Workshop and also showed me some ways that I can use old books for different crafts in Recycled Book Art,” said Grade 8 student Janelle Constantino at St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School.