Roya Quirk shared a testimony about how ECMO saved her life. She spoke at Legacy Emanuel's Gala on October 5, 2018. The event raised $110,000 for the ECMO Program.

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Legacy Emanuel Gala raises over $110,000 for ECMO Program

PORTLAND, ORE. – October 5 was a night for heroes as Legacy Emanuel Medical Center celebrated the caregivers who treat seriously ill or injured patients using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) technology. About 150 guests gathered in The Atrium of Legacy Emanuel to honor the heroes who perform this life-saving work each day and to raise funds for the hospital’s ECMO program. The event netted more than $110,000 thanks to the generosity of so many, as well as presenting sponsor – the Piacentini family, represented at the event by Frank Piacentini and Sara Weinstein.

An ECMO machine substitutes for a patient’s failed lungs or heart. This revolutionary technology allows the lungs to rest, giving the body time to fight the infection by oxygenating the blood outside of the body when the lungs cannot function normally.

Emanuel Medical Center Foundation is raising funds to help purchase four ECMO machines and ancillary equipment. Each machine costs approximately $105,000. “Legacy Emanuel is making significant investments to provide the highest-quality patient care for generations to come,” said Trent Green, president of Legacy Emanuel. “We are thankful for the strong community support of our ECMO Program.”

The evening featured personal stories from patients and their families. Roya Quirk reflected on how Legacy Emanuel’s mobile ECMO team saved her life. She had collapsed and blacked out while watching TV at home. When paramedics arrived, her breathing was shallow. “I am thankful the paramedics chose to drive me to Legacy Emanuel where the outstanding trauma team knew exactly how to treat me when a pulmonary embolism caused my heart to stop four times,” she said.

Legacy Emanuel’s ECMO program is the busiest and most experienced center in the region. The program has been recognized as a distinguished leader in critical care. And, it is the only ECMO program in the Pacific Northwest to have an ECMO transport team. The six-person mobile critical care team is available at a moment’s notice for patient’s in immediate need of this life-saving therapy.

Nationally known for expertise in treating critical health conditions, Legacy Emanuel is a medical pacesetter. With advanced specialized services, which include a Level I Trauma Center, a Level I Burn Center, ECMO and the LifeFlight Network, it is a vital regional hub for trauma care.

                To learn more about supporting any of Legacy Health’s hospitals or programs, call the Legacy Health Office of Philanthropy at 503-415-4700 or visit www.legacyhealth.org/giving.

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