For patients requiring urgent trauma care at Regina’s hospitals, access to leading-edge technology can literally mean the difference between life and death. Cheryl Dubois’ story is just one example.
Cheryl was badly injured in a head-on collision in March of 2019, while driving home with her daughter to Langbank from work at Golf Kenosee. Tragically, the other driver died at the scene, while Cheryl’s daughter Zoe suffered minor injuries and was able to call for help. Cheryl’s injuries were much more serious than Zoe’s.
Cheryl explains, “With the windchill, it was -42 that night and I was wearing a down-filled jacket that caused my seatbelt to slide up my body, pushing my internal organs up through my diaphragm. I also had an aortic dissection. The doctors and nurses said it is a miracle that I made it to the hospital.”
Cheryl’s life was saved, thanks to the local first responders, the air ambulance crew, and the trauma team at Regina General Hospital (RGH). She underwent two emergency surgeries
in her first three days in hospital, with two follow-up procedures in the next two months. She has at least one more surgery ahead to rebuild the right side of her abdominal wall.
Fortunately, in 2017 the Foundation launched its Trauma Care Campaign. Thanks to a $1 million matching gift from GMS and the community’s support, the Foundation invested $2 million from the GMS Trauma Fund in crucial trauma care technology the following year.
“I can’t say enough about the trauma team and surgeons at RGH,” Cheryl continues. “Thank goodness they had access to cutting-edge technology in order to perform CT scans and MRIs, and of course the equipment in the surgical suites. That technology and the incredible medical teams was literally a life-saver in my case. The staff also make you feel like family, which is amazing, considering how many patients they see.”
A year later, Cheryl is still a long way from fully-recovered. In addition to waiting for more surgical procedures, she remains unable to eat solid food and has had to return a couple times to RGH to be fed intravenously and have her recovery monitored.
Residents of the Kenosee area gathered for a community fundraiser last spring, with Cheryl directing a portion of the proceeds to the trauma program through Hospitals of Regina Foundation.
“I felt it was important to give back to the people who saved my life,” Cheryl states. “Everyone, from the first responders, to the air ambulance crew, to the amazing staff in the trauma program, pulled together to give me a fighting chance. I’ll always be grateful.”
“Cheryl’s story illustrates the importance of investing in trauma services for the people of southern Saskatchewan,” says Dino Sophocleous, president and CEO, Hospitals of Regina Foundation. “Every day, Regina’s hospitals see an average of five serious trauma cases, with each case involving up to 25 health care professionals. It’s vitally important to provide our medical teams with the best possible technology and equipment, so they can continue their life-saving work.”