Marquette General Foundation

For You. For the U.P. For Life

Gifts at Work - Cancer patients welcome new infusion chairs

Barbara Kantola of Ishpeming sits in a new reclining chair while undergoing chemotherapy treatments at Marquette General Hematology Oncology in the Peninsula Medical Center. “I love the new chairs,” Kantola said. “They’re very comfortable, especially if you’re required to sit here for a few hours.”Twelve new infusion treatment chairs were purchased thanks to philanthropic support to the Marquette General Foundation.

  In August, cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in the infusion suite at Marquette General Hematology Oncology were treated to a special surprise.
  New infusion treatment chairs!

  Thanks to the generosity of a number of Marquette General Foundation supporters, the unit was able to purchase 12 new infusion chairs.

  The $15,600 fundraising project is a welcome blessing for patients, Marquette General Hematology Oncology Practice Manager Barb Couveau said.

  “We treat many, many patients with cancer, and we want them to be as comfortable as they possibly can,” she said.  “Comfort for their one- to eight-hour time in the chair is essential. These new chairs are a tremendous benefit to our patients. We’re very thankful to those who donated money to the Foundation to support this project.”

  The new chairs replace severely worn chairs that were more than 15 years old and had sorely outlived their usefulness.

  Marquette General Hematology Oncology treats cancer patients from all across the Upper Peninsula. In 2010 alone, 3,722 infusions were performed in these chairs. For 2008, 2009 and 2010, the chairs were used approximately 11,166 times!

  Marquette General is very appreciative of those who supported funding the new chairs. In late October, a donor reception/recognition was held in their honor.

  For more information about the Marquette General Foundation, call 906-225-6914.