(Yarmouth, December 2, 2008) Our tiniest citizens will receive a warm welcome this holiday season and beyond thanks to the generosity of Foundation donors.

The Yarmouth Hospital Foundation’s annual Christmas appeal is currently under way. The focus this year is to raise funds for two new radiant infant warmers for the maternal child department of the hospital. Since mid-November just over $25,000 has been raised.

“The primary function of the warmer is to keep the infant’s body temperature constant” says Dr. Dominique Couture, Chief of Pediatrics at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. All infant warmers are fully equipped with self contained oxygen and suction devices. These features allow doctors and nurses to suction the infant, keep warm, examine breathing, muscle tone, and overall condition.

Last year, 377 infants were born at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. Upon birth these newborns were exposed to a much different environment where loss of body heat was real and potentially dangerous, particularly for small or premature infants. Therefore, immediately upon arrival, most newborns spent some time under a radiant infant warmer.

Currently five infant warmers are in use in the maternal child department of the hospital. However, two of the units, while still functional, are older and must be replaced. The cost to replace the two radiant infant warmers will be approximately $44,000.

“Raising funds for vital hospital equipment enables the Foundation to fulfill its mission to support and enhance our hospital as a community and regional center of excellence in health care” says managing director, Paulette Sweeney-Goodwin.

Donations to the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation Christmas appeal can be made on line at www.yarmouthhospitalfoundation.ca, by phone at 749-1669 or by mail at PO Box 7, B5A 4B1.