The Gift of More Tomorrows Bob Avila
Bob Avila put it simply: “Adventist Health Portland saved my life.”
Bob explained he and his wife, Bess, were blessed with excellent health and while he had his share of routine preventative appointments at Adventist Health Portland, he had never dealt with any major health issues.
That changed one night when Bob began to feel an unusual heaviness in his chest. He couldn’t find a comfortable position to sleep in and decided to go to the emergency department to check out what might be causing the discomfort. That’s when he learned how important it is to have a world-class hospital close to home.
Upon his arrival he was taken for a number of cardiac tests and it was quickly determined that he had some blockages that needed to be addressed immediately.
“The cardiac team at Adventist Health Portland patiently and expertly gave Beth and I all the information we needed to make informed medical decisions and to feel reassured,” said Bob. “We felt confident in the medical team’s ability to fix what was wrong and I was scheduled for surgery to place a stent in the affected artery the very same day.”
Unfortunately, during the procedure it became evident his situation required an even more complex solution. Less than 24 hours later he had double bypass surgery.
“I was so impressed not only with the care the Adventist Health Portland team gave to me, but also the compassion they showed for my wife who was understandably distressed and concerned for my health,” said Bob. “When you hear Adventist Health Portland cares for the ‘whole person’, it isn’t just words, it’s a mission they take very seriously. They provided whole-person care for me and my loved one – which for me mattered a lot.”
Bob credits Adventist Health Portland with his survival and recovery. “I know without a doubt I am here today because of the expertise and incredible care I received at Adventist Health Portland,” he said. “I am extremely grateful Adventist Health Portland was there when I needed them most.”
Adventist Health Portland currently sees 40% of all Portland’s heart attack and heart event patients. The Avilas want others in our community to have the same opportunity to access the lifesaving and life-altering care that Bob received.
“Our community deserves access to the latest technology for diagnosing and treating these conditions — technology like CT scanners and interventional cardiology equipment for their cardiology department. The kind of cutting-edge cardiovascular technology that saved my life,” said Bob.
Thanks to the generous donors who have supported the Cornerstone Fund (the area of greatest need fund), Adventist Health Portland provides a wide range of programs from free breast cancer screenings to supporting students to be future healthcare leaders, and to securing state-of-the-art equipment that enhances patient care on every level. Our new 3D mammography unit, for example, is a direct result of donations to the Cornerstone Fund and it’s already making a difference in the early detection of breast cancer. Acquiring even more innovative cardiology resources — like the recently purchased Mitra Clip, which enables Adventist Health Portland to provide cutting edge heart care without open chest surgery — will have a large impact for patients who are affected by heart issues.
Your gift to the Cornerstone Fund means Adventist Health Portland can continue providing greater access to the consistent preventative, whole-person care for our community.
“My wife and I will be forever grateful for the care and compassion we both received and the gift of more tomorrows I was given,” said Bob. With your support Adventist Health Portland will continue to give that gift to our community.