The Guild of Ocean Medical Center
Helps Purchase VeinViewer for Patients

The Guild of Ocean Medical Center has always been committed to supporting the highest level of health care at Ocean Medical Center. Through its annual fundraiser, "Friends on the Bay," the Guild helped raise $80,000 in 2007 to benefit programs and services at the Medical Center.

With the Guild's philanthropic support, Ocean Medical Center was able to purchase a VeinViewer, which helps ease the discomfort chemotherapy patients experience when undergoing daily needle sticks.

"This past year we decided to approach the outpatient chemotherapy department staff to find out what their wish list of items to help the department would be," says Guild president Susan Scherler, who along with her husband, Ernie, chairman of the Ocean Medical Center Foundation, cochaired the fundraiser.

One of the items on the list was a VeinViewer. "When we saw how the VeinViewer worked, we were amazed by it," Scherler says.

The VeinViewer, which costs $25,000 to $30,000, uses a safe infrared light to highlight all veins under the skin. This helps medical staff choose the best vein for inserting a needle, reducing the number of needle sticks a patient receives.

Chemotherapy patients often undergo frequent needle sticks to access veins during treatment. Veins can collapse due to the effects of chemotherapy, making it difficult to find an ideal vein. Some patients even have a central line, or catheter, placed to get their medication. Central lines carry a risk for infection.

"The VeinViewer definitely helps make treatment time more comfortable for the patient," says Scherler. This technology was first used in cancer patients, but patients in other areas of the medical center have benefited, such as individuals in critical care and those being treated for vascular problems.

With the remaining funds raised, the Guild has outfitted a kitchenette for the outpatient chemotherapy department, including a new microwave oven, refrigerator, and ice maker. The ice maker is a patient favorite as it provides ice to chew on during treatment.

The Guild also donated $25,000 to the Navigator program, housed at Ocean to help cancer patients and their families "navigate" their treatment and recovery. "In addition, the Guild is supporting the purchase of new radiation oncology equipment," says Scherler.

This year's "Friends on the Bay" cocktail party will be held September 19 at the Manasquan River Golf Club. "If we are able to raise enough funds, we hope to purchase another VeinViewer for the Medical Center," says Scherler.

Ocean Medical Center is extremely grateful for the ongoing support of the Guild.