CANCER PATIENT'S DEDICATION HELPS BUY SURGICAL MICROSCOPE.Byline: Daily News staff SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - With the help of Sheila Veloz's fund-raising efforts, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital recently purchased a surgical microscope surgical microscope n. A binocular microscope used to visualize fine structures within the area of a surgical procedure. Also called operating microscope. . Veloz spent two years raising $60,000 of the $100,0000 needed to purchase the surgical equipment that will be used for neurosurgery neurosurgery /neu·ro·sur·gery/ (noor´o-sur?jer-e) surgery of the nervous system. neu·ro·sur·ger·y n. Surgery on any part of the nervous system. , ear, nose and throat microsurgery microsurgery or micromanipulation Surgical technique for operating on minute structures, with specialized, tiny precision instruments under observation through a microscope, sometimes equipped with cameras to show the operation on a monitor. , and plastic and reconstructive surgery reconstructive surgery n. Plastic surgery. reconstructive surgery, n surgery to rebuild a structure for functional or esthetic reasons. , including breast reconstruction Breast Reconstruction Definition Breast reconstruction is a series of surgical procedures performed to recreate a breast. Reconstructions are commonly done after one or both breasts are removed as a treatment for breast cancer. . Newhall Memorial is the first hospital in the area to acquire this technology, and the hospital foundation provided the balance needed to purchase the equipment. ``The community will benefit enormously from this equipment,'' said Dr. Marc Lussier, a plastic surgeon plastic surgeon A surgeon specialized in reconstruction or cosmetic enhancement of various body regions, most commonly the face–nose, chin, and cheeks, breasts and buttocks; PSs remove fat deposits through liposuction; PSs reduce scarring or disfigurement . ``This is a piece of equipment that surgeons really want to use.'' Veloz was the first breast cancer patient to speak on behalf of the hospital's foundation, providing the first testimonial at a reception in her home, where she encouraged all women to get annual mammograms and to perform breast self-exams. She lost her battle with cancer in July. But her husband Tom, and daughter, Janine Jones, were on hand when the Newhall Memorial dedicated the microscope in her memory. In addition to the new surgical microscope, Veloz's fund-raising helped provide the hospital with a gamma probe used to detect precise areas of cancer infiltration. It also purchased comfort items such as specialized recliners for chemotherapy recipients to use as an alternative to lying in bed, and chair-beds allowing family members to remain with the patient, which is critical in patient and family well-being. In addition to her fund-raising, Veloz worked to establish the foundation's Breast Cancer Awareness Program, and her commitment to the hospital was unshakable to the end of her life. ``We will always remember her generous nature and significant concern for cancer patients,'' said Lisa Foust, foundation president. ``We are pleased to purchase this equipment to honor her diligent work on our behalf.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Dr. Marc Lussier, left, demonstrates use of the new surgical microscope as Tom Veloz and his daughter Sheila watch. |
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