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Heading into Fall and a season of thanksgiving, Friends of Soldiers + Sailors has a lot to be grateful for — especially the dedicated support of donors who are turning dreams of cutting-edge health care technology into reality right here in Tioga County.

Friends of Soldiers + Sailors is an annual fundraising campaign lead by the Susquehanna Health Foundation. Over the years, they have provided generous donors with a way to provide critical and life-saving equipment to the hospital. They also share a special commitment to UPMC Susquehanna through an annual, tax-deductible membership gift of $100 or more. Membership funds are used to purchase vital equipment and expand community health programs. Examples include:

• Baby warmers for the obstetrics unit
• Ultrasound equipment
• Blanket warmers
• Equipment for women’s health and physical therapy team
• Operating table for Surgical Services
• iN2L equipment for the Green Home

This year Friends of Soldiers + Sailors will support the purchase two LUCAS devices for the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Units at UPMC Wellsboro. LUCAS is portable device that provides uncompromising, flawless cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in emergency situations and during invasive cardiac procedures. The LUCAS Device is really a game-changing piece of equipment that protects patients and medical staff. Consistent, high-quality chest compressions are exhausting and physically demanding on those who perform CPR. But because LUCAS never tires when used to perform CPR, patients have an increased blood flow to the brain, heart and other vital organs of 60% over traditional, manual CPR. It also protects medical staff. We know 80% of those who perform CPR experience back pain and injury, and that is performing CPR in two minute rotations. LUCAS can perform CPR for hours if necessary and eliminates the mattress effect.

The Friends of Soldiers + Sailors Committee encourages everyone to join in giving thanks by giving back. Again, this campaign is a special commitment to UPMC Susquehanna through an annual, tax-deductible membership gift of $100 or more.

The goal of the campaign is $34,000 for the purchase of the table. Thanks to matching funds from Citizens & Northern Bank, 25% of every gift made, up to $4,500, will be matched.

To join, call Susquehanna Health Foundation at 1-888-322-0945 or visit UPMCSusquehanna.org/Donate. Checks can be made payable to Susquehanna Health Foundation, with memo of “Friends” and mailed to UPMC Wellsboro, 32-36 Central Avenue, Wellsboro, PA 16901.