The Cardiac Rehabilitation Department at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital recently acquired a NuStep® T4r Recumbent Cross Trainer through the efforts of patients, program staff, and some community agencies.
The NuStep, an innovative machine that empowers users to improve cardiovascular and overall fitness, replaces an older unit in the department that was no longer useable. When the old unit needed replacing, program staff and participants, and one participant in particular, decided to help raise the funds to purchase a new one. Pat Selwood championed the idea of rallying the patients to donate funds to purchase a new NuStep - a favorite piece of equipment among the cardiac rehab patients. She suggested everyone give up a cup of coffee and put the price of that coffee in a donation jar. Selwood’s initiative raised more than $2,100 towards acquisition of the new equipment.
Additionally, multiple community organizations contributed to the purchase, including: the Penn Yan Moose Lodge, which donated $900; the Yates TB & Health Association that donated $1,000 to the project, and the Once Again Shoppe, a program of the Penn Yan Area Council of Churches, that donated $2,000. Gifts given by community members in memory of past Cardiac Rehab patients also supported the fund.
All in all the contributions totaled more than the $7,800 needed to purchase the NuStep, so this fundraising effort will also support the purchase of other much-needed cardiac rehab equipment as the need arises.
The NuStep cross trainer sets an unparalleled standard for total body exercise. By combining a natural sitting position with a smooth stepping motion, the NuStep works all major muscle groups, giving the user an effective cardiovascular workout in a comfortable seated position. The equipment is good for all ages and all exercise levels.
Finger Lakes Health’s Cardiac Rehab program is an individually developed program with a wide range of medically supervised exercises, activities and education for inpatient and outpatient participants who have had a heart attack, bypass surgery, angioplasty, stents, heart transport, valve surgery, or have stable angina. The program’s goal is to help the participant safety resume a normal and active life as soon as possible.
Finger Lakes Health’s Cardiac Rehab program, held at both Soldiers & Sailors Memorial and Geneva General Hospitals, is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. For more information, visit our website at www.flhealth.org or call (315) 531-2596 in Penn Yan or (315) 787-4596 in Geneva.
You Can Help Too
Finger Lakes Health Foundation provides multiple opportunities for community members to support projects like the one in Cardiac Rehab. The Foundation has three funds that donors can contribute to: the Finger Lakes Health Annual Fund, which supports the area of greatest need across the health system; the Geneva General Hospital Annual Fund, which supports enhanced access to healthcare services in Geneva and surrounding communities; and the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital Annual Fund, to support enhanced access to healthcare services in Yates County.
To make a contribution to one of the campaigns, send a check, payable to the Finger Lakes Health Foundation, to the Foundation Office, 196 North Street, Geneva, NY, 14456. Note the fund or project being supported on check. Or, visit our website at www.flhealth.org and click on “Make a Donation”. Please direct questions to Lisa Ventura, director of Major and Annual Gifts for the Foundation: 315-787-4050.