In the moments after a baby is born in the hospital, it has to undergo a series of tests to ensure it’s healthy.  One of the conditions babies are tested for is jaundice.  Jaundice causes a baby’s skin or eyes to turn a yellowish colour.  Untreated, it can lead to serious problems.  High levels of jaundice have to be treated with phototherapy.

At Red Deer Regional Hospital there are two phototherapy units.  Problem is, there are sometimes more than two babies needing treatment for jaundice.  That means either the hospital is scrambling to borrow equipment from another health centre, or.. baby and mom are sent scrambling to another hospital themselves.

When 18 year old McKenna Causey heard about this situation which arrises from time to time at Red Deer Regional, she decided to do something about it.  The Blackfalds resident and RDC student had recently been awarded 150 dollars from RBC as part of the nation wide Make 150 Count Campaign.  Causey could have donated the 150 dollars to this cause, but instead she thought she’d take the opportunity to see if she can make a huge difference.  Causey is asking businesses or individuals in Central Alberta to match her 150 dollar contribution.  If she can get 150 others to donate 150 dollars, she’ll be able to reach her goal of purchasing 2 more phototherapy units for Red Deer Regional Hospital!

For more information or to donate to MaKenna’s fund, please go to make150count.weebly.com

More about Jaundice:
?This is a medical condition in which too much bilirubin (hemoglobin and red blood cells) is circulating in the blood. Excess bilirubin causes the skin and eyes to turn a yellowish color. This can cause damage to the liver and in young babies high levels can, although rarely, affect the brain. Jaundice (high levels) is not something that can go away on its own and therefore must be treated with phototherapy, also known as “bili lights” to break down bilirubin and gets babies back in their mother’s arms sooner. Jaundice in children is not normal and must be treated.