With dangerously low sodium levels, Mark Fingarson was rushed to SHN’s Centenary Hospital and was quickly admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The severity of his condition was alarming, leaving him in a critical state.

On April 12, 2024, Mark returned to Scarborough from a vacation in Cuba, where he had spent several days bedridden and severely dehydrated.  

“When I got back, I knew something was terribly wrong,” Mark says. “My brain was foggy, my heart was racing, and I could barely think. Dr. McKinnon told me two more days, and I would have been dead.”

The now 69-year-old had been experiencing hyponatremia, a condition in which the concentration of sodium in the blood becomes abnormally low. Sodium is a crucial electrolyte that helps regulate the amount of water in and around cells. When sodium levels drop, cells can swell, leading to life-threatening health issues like brain swelling.

Over eight days in the ICU, the team carefully managed his IV fluids and closely monitored his sodium levels, which must be corrected slowly to protect the brain.

“The care I received was phenomenal. The doctors and nurses were dedicated and compassionate and worked tirelessly to get me back on my feet,” Mark says. “The staff at SHN really prioritize patients and make us feel important.”

Mark was moved by the relentless care he received. “The staff were great—making jokes, keeping my spirits up,” he remembers. “The food was better than any other hospital I’ve been in, and the support was incredible.”

Mark brought the staff Dad’s Cookies to say ‘thank you’ to the nurses, but he wanted to give back in a more meaningful way, so he contacted SHN Foundation.

“My mother passed away just before my trip to Cuba, and she left us some funds,” says Mark. “She was a pharmacist and always encouraged us to give back, so I wanted to follow in her footsteps.”

Mark learned that the ICU team needed a vein finder and decided to fund one.  

“It’s something SHN doesn’t have, and I thought it would help the frail elderly and young children with difficult blood draws.”  

A Small Device Making a Big Impact on Patient Care

ICU staff say the new vein finder is already transforming patient care.

“Many ICU patients are dehydrated or in shock, and their veins are extremely hard to access,” says Dr. Jasmine Grenier, SHN ICU physician. “The vein finder is a game changer. It reduces repeated needle pokes, speeds up IV access, and sometimes prevents the need for a central line.”

The device is now used not only in the ICU but across Emergency, Medicine, Surgery, and Rehabilitation, several times a week.

A Gift for Scarborough - and a Legacy for his Family

Mark has lived in Scarborough for nearly 30 years and has relied on SHN for care multiple times.

“SHN looks after so many people. I just wanted to give back to the hospital that saved my life, and cared for my late wife Robi” he says. “People spend more than $13,000 on a vacation every year. If someone skipped just one trip, they could help purchase a device like this and make a real difference for thousands of people.”

Mark recently visited the ICU to see the vein finder in action.

“It’s amazing to see how many patients it’s helping,” he says. “My wife Robi would’ve been proud. This gift is part of her legacy too.”