July 10, 2008 - "As a worldwide partner of the Olympic Games, GE will donate a new Lightspeed VCT, a 64-slice CT (computed tomography) scanner, as a legacy gift to the Sea to Sky Region, British Columbia.
The Lightspeed VCT will be installed in the Whistler Health Care Centre in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, and will remain within the community following the Games. This is the first CT scanner to be located in Whistler, providing residents of the Sea to Sky region with improved access to health care services closer to home.
In addition, other GE advanced imaging equipment, notably MRI and ultrasound, will be used to help doctors diagnose and treat athletes during the 2010 Olympic Games. GE is also conducting ongoing cardiac and musculoskeletal research with some or several National Olympic Teams in order to improve technology in sports medicine.
"We are extremely pleased with the tremendous support from GE for the Legacy CT Scan," notes Jack Taunton, M.D., VANOC Chief Medical Officer. "This legacy gift will help ensure that British Columbians seeking health care services at their local hospitals and clinics in Sea to Sky communities receive a high standard of care before, during, and after the 2010 Games."
The Whistler Health Care Centre is part of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), which will provide operating funding for the CT scanner, expected to be in use by the end of 2008.
The Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District is providing approximately $1.21 million towards the $2.3 million construction and installation project. The remaining $1.1 million has been raised by the Whistler Health Care Foundation, the Squamish Hospital Foundation, and the Pemberton Health Care Foundation. "I am delighted to acknowledge the generosity of our community and the many donors who have contributed to this significant milestone," said Marnie Simon, chairperson Whistler Health Care Foundation.
For more information: www.ge.com/olympicgames