The 10th annual Hearts of Hope tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday afternoon at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart.
The yearly event highlights the benefits of cardiovascular research. Wednesday’s event featured the story of Raymond Perry, 31, of Crown Point, who suddenly found himself in need of cardiovascular care after suffering a massive pulmonary embolism.
“I felt sick all the time, and then I started having trouble breathing when I would walk a short distance around the house,” Perry said in a release. “I couldn’t do simple tasks, and then I started fainting.”
A chest CT scan revealed the pulmonary embolism, or blood clot, on Perry’s lung. It was life-threatening and required immediate medical attention.
“I treated Perry with a new technique called EKOS pharmaco-mechanical thrombectomy,” cardiologist Anas H. Safadi, MD, said in the release. “The device uses catheters to emit ultrasound energy and are placed into the lung enabling medications to absorb directly into the clot. The large clots in the lung dissolve, which improves blood flow and stabilizes blood pressure. It also reduces the risk of long-term pulmonary hypertension and right-side failure.”
Fortunately for Perry, St. Mary Medical Center was one of the first hospitals in Indiana to adopt the new technology. Perry began feeling better right away.
“I didn’t think I was going to make it,” Perry said in the statement. “After the procedure, I could breathe again; I could feel my lungs getting better.
“I want to be healthy. I’ve lost 60 pounds now. I want to take care of myself so I can be here for me wife and daughter. I don’t want to die at an early age.”
Wednesday’s event served as a fundraiser for cardiovascular research that can help save more lives like Perry’s. Funding goes toward the research programs at the hospitals of the Community Healthcare System, including St. Mary, St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago and Community Hospital in Munster.
Opening remarks were made by St. Mary Medical Center CEO Janice Ryba and Dr. Safadi gave an update on current advances in cardiovascular research before Perry and his wife, Christina, shared their story. After the lighting of the white tree decorated with heart-shaped ornaments, entertainment was provided by Wolffgang, the Hobart High School girls’ choir. Refreshments, including heart-shaped cookies, were served.
To participate in the Hearts of Hope campaign, go to www.comhs.org/HeartsofHope.