A Stellenbosch University (SU) staff member plans to run 144km to raise R400 000 to buy an Olympus BF-UC190F bronchoscope for the university’s department of paediatrics and child health.
This is according to prof Pierre Goussard, head of paediatric pulmonology and paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Tygerberg Hospital.
Goussard has already run 98km, after completing the 42km Ace Run Rome Marathon, and the 56km Two Oceans Marathon on 15 April, according to the givengain website. The givengain campaign was set up to receive contributions. At the time of publication, Goussard had raised R5 300, according to the website.
The Olympus BF-UC190F allows for investigations inside the airways of small sick infants, explained Laticia Pienaar, Tygerberg Hospital’s principal communications officer.
“After completion of the Gornergrat Zermatt ultra-marathon of in Switzerland in July 2022, I was inspired to use my love of running and competing in marathons […] as a way of raising funds to purchase equipment for our paediatric unit,” said prof Pierre Goussard, head of paediatric pulmonology and paediatric intensive care unit at Tygerberg Hospital. PHOTO: Supplied/Pierre Goussard
Raising Funds
Tygerberg Hospital receives R17 million from the government for its annual budget, stated Pienaar. “Receiving generous contributions from loyal donors can help create a world-class hospital with state-of-the-art equipment that is attractive to both staff and patients,” said Pienaar.
Tygerberg Hospital is a referral centre for complicated cases and diseases like tuberculosis and complicated airway pathology, especially in infants, said Goussard.
Tygerberg Hospital acts as a medical training facility for doctors from South Africa and many parts of the continent. The doctors receive paediatrics endobronchial ultrasound training which is currently not available in any other region of South Africa or Africa as it is only offered by Tygerberg Hospital, according to prof Pierre Goussard, head of paediatric pulmonology and paediatric intensive care unit at Tygerberg Hospital. PHOTO: Tapiwanashe Zaranyika
Specialised equipment
“There is a big need for expensive specialised [medical] equipment in the public health sector,” said Pienaar.
The Olympus BF-UC190F is also used for interventional procedures, said Felix Spies, fundraising manager for the faculty of medicine and health sciences and partnerships.
Cleaning of bronchoscopes causes a delay between treatments of patients, said Pienaar.
“The initiative requires a lot of self-sacrifice and time management. With the busy schedules, it is difficult for other staff members to join in the initiative,” said prof Pierre Goussard, head of paediatric pulmonology and paediatric intensive care unit at Tygerberg Hospital. PHOTO: Tapiwanashe Zaranyika
A marathon effort
He set a target of raising R400 000 by 8 July, during the Ace Run Rome Marathon on 19 March, according to the givengain website.
Goussard plans to participate in the 46km Stoos-Trail 2023 run, in Switzerland on 8 July, he said.
The target was inspired by a desire and commitment to improve children’s health through efficient service delivery, and innovative medical equipment funding, said Goussard.
Since starting the initiative in March, he has been the only person partaking in the races as the initiative requires immense self-sacrifice, explained Goussard.
“I will continue running even after 8 July so that the target of R400 000 is met. I will also take part in other fundraising opportunities to raise money for the Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust,” added Goussard.
According to the fundraiser givengain home page, at the time of publication, R5 300 has been donated towards an initiative to raise R400 000 to buy medical equipment for Stellenbosch University’s department of paediatrics and child health. INFOGRAPHIC: Tapiwanashe Zaranyika