Sports Injury Month Kicks Off
Sports Injury Month kicks off to raise funds for new X-ray machine.
This September, Langley Community Health & Hospital Foundation is celebrating its first annual Sports Injury Month: a campaign that brings together Langley’s sports teams and venues in support of the purchase of two new digital X-ray machines for Langley Memorial Hospital’s Imaging Department.
Net proceeds from community fundraising will help make Emergency Department visits more comfortable and faster for patients by replacing obsolete equipment.
“We’re all working together to shine the light on how important our hospital is for the many athletes that call Langley home,” says Dana Matheson, co-owner of the Langley Rivermen and the Langley Rams, Langley’s popular hockey and football teams.
“We’re hoping that during the month of September, Langley comes out and supports our local sports organizations as we all work together to generate funds for much-needed resources at Langley Memorial Hospital.”
Sports injuries, or any injuries sustained during exercise or athletic activity, can occur suddenly - often in a collision between two or more players (common in football or hockey) or through repetitive motions, common in sports such as tennis, running or weight-lifting.
All major Langley sports teams, including the Langley Rivermen, Langley Thunder, Vancouver Giants, Vancouver Football Club, Vancouver Bandits, Thunderbird Show Park and Langley Rams, are raising money this month through donations of a portion of ticket sales, 50/50 draws and other fundraising efforts.
More breakdowns, longer waiting times
Sports Injury Month comes just in time. Langley Memorial Hospital’s Medical Imaging Department has two X-ray machines in continual use; at 15 years old, the newest machine is well past the average 10-year lifespan.
In the last year, the number of ambulatory X-ray appointments grew by 31.2 per cent; now, technologists perform 4,600 X-ray procedures per month.
With both machines in frequent use, these workhorses play a fundamental role in early diagnosis. However, these old machines are not always reliable.
“At times throughout the day, patients may experience wait times of up to two hours, depending on staffing levels and equipment availability,” says Amy Maessen, interim site manager in Langley Memorial’s Imaging Department.
For the technologists in Imaging, she says, “Each day brings new challenges and uncertainties.”
Transforming care, helping technologists
Among children and youth, X-rays are most likely used to secure images of broken bones - particularly among those who’ve fallen on playgrounds or have been injured in sports activities.
New technology gives the Imaging team an easier physical experience working with the device, thanks to its capacity for automatic positioning; the updated machines also offer cleaner, crisper images of trouble areas.
“It will be nice to come in with confidence that we can depend on these machines,” Amy says.
Throughout September, you can support our community’s sports teams and hospital by purchasing tickets to home games, participating in our 50/50 raffle and by following Langley Community Health & Hospital Foundation on social media.
Visit LCHHFoundation.com/sports-injury-month for exclusive discount codes and more information.