The AVA Foundation

https://vimeo.com/220490398

avaf_2023_use_at_network_sli.mp4

Oct. 21, 2013

AVA Foundation Launches New Video

Vascular Access Nurse’s Knowledge and Ingenuity Help Save Young Boy’s Life

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The AVA Foundation today announced the release of a new video telling the dramatic story of how a vascular access nurse made the difference in the life of one special young boy.

The video demonstrates the critical importance of specialized nursing knowledge promoted by the AVA Foundation. It tells the heartwarming story of how Manny, an adopted child with extreme medical challenges, has been able to survive with the help of a nurse on his pediatric vascular access team.

Manny was hospitalized as an infant and needed to receive his nutrition intravenously through a central venous catheter. Unfortunately, central lines carry the risk of bloodstream infections, especially for patients in Manny’s already precarious condition.

When Manny suffered one of these dangerous infections, it underlined the fact that the central line he depended upon for his food threatened his life, as well.

The nurse, an Association for Vascular Access (AVA) member, contacted AVA for information on how to better prevent infections for patients such as Manny. Together with a physician, she implemented the information AVA provided, which has helped keep Manny infection-free for nearly two years.

The video features the nurse, Stephanie; Manny’s mother, Beth Gore, who with her husband has adopted six special needs children; and of course, Manny himself. It can be viewed here.

The AVA Foundation in a not-for-profit organization that supports research and education toward achieving risk-free vascular access.

“This video compellingly demonstrates the value of the foundation’s work,” said Denise Macklin, BSN, RN, VA-BC, RNC, the foundation’s board president. “Nurses who belong to AVA and receive specialized vascular access training can come up with lifesaving solutions that wouldn’t occur to clinicians who don’t have this background. The foundation supports education and research to make risk-free vascular access a reality. This kind of work helps improve the lives of millions of patients such as Manny.”

Viewers can donate to the foundation through a link provided in the video or by going to the “Donate” page on the foundation’s website.

https://www.avainfo.org/donations/donate.asp?id=12834

“We usually say that for the price of just one evening out, you can save lives by donating to the AVA Foundation,” said Macklin. “But we are grateful to receive a donation of any size, no matter how large or small. The foundation is making a difference in individual’s lives right now. No one knows that better than Manny’s family.”