These units assist people who have heart attacks or are suffering from irregular heartbeats. The defibrillator helps to start someone's heart if it stops and the pacemaker helps maintain a patient's heart at its normal rhythm. The monitor helps track what is happening with a patient's heart, from moment to moment.

In the "Friend in Need" direct mail letter, Gail Welch, a Lindsay resident, shares her experience and appreciation for Ross Memorial in her care and recovery. Recently, Gail had a terrifying experience when her heart suddenly began to race, and she had no energy to walk, talk, or even breathe. In the ambulance, on the way to Ross Memorial, Gail's heart stopped racing and then her heartbeats slowed down until they almost stopped. At the Ross, her family doctor had difficulty stabilizing her heartbeat and took her to Intensive Care where she was immediately hooked up to machines and eventually, stabilized.

Now, Gail is feeling much better and is grateful to Ross Memorial's cardiac rehabilitation program for her continued good health. "It's an excellent program," said Gail. "A dietician taught me how to read labels on food packages and what to eat to remain healthy. While my heart was monitored, they showed me how far I could push myself. They taught me exercises that I now do regularly. It's really a hands-on program, and it gave me the confidence I needed to go home and take care of myself."

"Time and time again, the community impresses us with their consistent and generous financial support of this Hospital," says Eric Dean, Executive Director, Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation. "Last year, with our direct mail campaign, donor support enabled us to purchase a state-of-the-art CT scanner. Then, everyone stepped forward and made the Caring for Tomorrow campaign a huge success, raising more than $7 million. We can't thank everyone enough. We are there when patients need us, being a "Friend in Need" and in return, patients, families, and friends have been there for us."

Gail and the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation invite the community to support Ross Memorial Hospital in the purchase of four new defibrillator/monitor/pacemaker units. This equipment will go a long way to ensure that someone will get the help they need when they need it most.