Items include H1N1 flu infection control stations and a calming art installation for cancer patients

SAN JOSE, Calif.—November 23, 2009—This giving season the Valley Medical Center Foundation has kicked off its first-ever Holiday Wish List. The VMC Foundation seeks cash donations so that hospital staff can receive much-needed items to improve patient health, safety and comfort at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and the community clinics.

"During these tough economic times, we have to work harder than ever before to find the resources we need to provide the best care to our patients," said Christopher Wilder, executive director of the VMC Foundation. "The Holiday Wish List gives my colleagues and me an opportunity to raise money for some very important projects suggested by the hospital’s employees."

Staff submitted more than 40 suggestions for items to raise money for on the Holiday Wish List. A committee narrowed the list to four of the most critical items, worth just over $30,000 in all, including:

• Flu infection control stations to be placed at all hospital entrances and the clinics. These stations help visitors self-screen for illness, offer antibacterial gel and provide up-to-the-minute information on vaccines and outbreaks.
• A soothing art installation in VMC’s Sobrato Cancer Center, which features the state-of-the-art Linear Accelerator. The artworks will help reduce patients’ feelings of anxiety of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
• A motorized patient lift to position patients weakened by disease, or who are paraplegic or quadriplegic, on the imaging tables used by technologists and doctors. The motorized lift will reduce stress for patients and staff, and minimize the chance of pain and injury.
• Monitoring devices to prevent brain injury patients from taking dangerous falls while in the hospital. These patients are at a very high risk of falling if they try to get out of bed on their own. A fall could result in a broken bone or other trauma.

VMC Foundation

ATTN: Holiday Wish List

2400 Moorpark Ave., Suite 207

San Jose, CA 95128

Donations will be accepted through December 31st.

Contacts: Jodi Engle, PRx Inc.

Office: (409) 287-1700 ext. 119

Cell: (408) 483-2410 j

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Chris Wilder, VMC Foundation

Office: (408) 885-5201

Cell: (408) 315-9666

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